News

Maximizing an Individual’s Athletic Potential…It takes a Team Effort!

Jodi Macklin

March 2005

 

Now is the time to take your game to another level….and the coaches at Velocity Sports Performance are ready to help you achieve your dreams.  Steve McKinney, owner and President at Velocity, says, “I sure would have benefited from this program when I was younger!”

 

You all probably recognized Steve’s name.  He’s the heralded center of the Houston Texans, whose arrival back in Texas four years ago resurrected his storied career at Clear Lake High and Texas A&M. 

 

“We work with athletics as young as 8 years old to reach a level of success they probably wouldn’t achieve otherwise.  Sadly, few athletes get close to reaching their potential.  Our program is to give them a head start by teaching them speed, agility and coordination, strength and power, mobility and flexibility, and injury prevention.”

 

According to Steve, Velocity provides state-of-the-art facilities, the best equipment available and professionally trained coaches.  “It’s our goal to maximize each individual’s athletic potential, whether you’re an awesome athlete headed for D-1, want to make varsity, or maybe you don’t even want to compete in athletics at all, but want to be stronger and faster for your weekend fun.  It’s time to raise the bar a notch.”

 

“We use a natural process.  Don’t even mention the word steroid around here, we’re a steroid free environment.  You don’t need to use an enhancement to take .3 of a second off your 40 time….we’re here to teach you the right way.”  We got the message….Steve has some pretty strong feelings about steroids!

 

Joining Steve in his campaign to help each youngster reach his or her potential is his next door business neighbor, Sean Long at The Batter’s Box, and Dr. David Braunreiter of Braunreiter Family & Sports Health, who as a member of Velocity’s Sports Medical Group who will be on hand to monitor injury prevention and rehabilitation.

 

Sean is proud to be a part of this endeavor to challenge area athletes to reach their full potential.  “This is such a unique situation between our facilities.  While Steve develops their footwork and speed, we introduce proper techniques so softball and baseball players can groove their game.”

 

The Batter’s Box also features state-of-the-art equipment including screens with simulated pitchers so players can actually watch them wind up and deliver.  The ball actually comes right out of their hand at speeds of 40 to 100 mph. with a variety of pitches for baseball and softball.

 

Sean, a graduate of West Point Military Academy, also has a law degree, but believes so strongly in developing the athletic potential of youngsters he quit his day job!  “If we teach them the right techniques for batting and fielding early, they won’t have to make changes later.”  Plus Sean is always willing to mix in a few of life’s lessons like responsibility, respect and hardwork.

While helping kids define and perfect their skills, Sean also realizes the importance of developing their strength and speed.  “We invite, and encourage, local coaches and parents to drop by and see our facilities first hand.  Area athletes, no matter what their age, can feel better about themselves and their game by taking advantage of our expertise.”

 

Velocity’s ace is their commitment to the physical well-being of their participants.  Dr. Braunreiter’s training as a family and sports medicine doctor gives him the ability to diagnose and treat most injuries incurred on and off the field.  As a dad whose kids play every sport imaginable, he’s aware that injuries need to be identified and treated accordingly.

 

“In the last decade we have made huge strides in understanding the best way to aggressively and safely treat injuries.  We’ve learned that when we allow protected activity for most injuries there is a faster recovery rate with better development of scar tissue, whereas in the past we would have immobilized that injury requiring a much longer rehab.”

 

An avid proponent of lifelong fitness and wellness, Dr. Braunreiter says, “I’m here to help children and adults minimize the time they’re away from school, their jobs and/or the arena of competition.”

 

As the team physician of several area high schools, the University of Houston, The WWE and other professional sports organizations in Houston, this athletic physician also oversees the athletes working out at Velocity.  “Our goal is to provide a very safe environment for our athletes.  Our program is open to all genders, all sports and all ages.  Improving your game is important, staying healthy is vital.”

 

Steve, Sean and Dr. B have stated their case.  Now is the time to achieve your dream.

 

Velocity Sports Performance

4811 Hwy 6 South

281-208-2733

www.velocitysp.com

 

The Batter’s Box

4815 Hwy 6 South

281-403-2800

www.battersB.com

 

Braunreiter Family & Sports Health

5819 Hwy 6 South, Ste. 380

281-499-4011

www.familysportshealth.com

 

 

Heeeeeyy    batter…batter…batter!

Jodi Macklin

February 2005

 

Attention baseball players….there’s a new practice facility in town geared to develop the skills of beginning players to professional athletes.  It’s called The Batter’s Box featuring six batting cages with two, one for baseball and one for fastpitch softball, that provide virtual reality pitching simulators.

 

That’s right a pitcher is simulated on screen so players can watch the wind-up and delivery, seeing the ball come right out of their hand towards the plate.  What’s more that pitcher can deliver different pitches, including a fastball, curve, slider and cutter at speeds ranging from 40 to 100 mph.  There are also cages where players can practice pitching or dads and coaches can throw batting practice.

 

The Batter’s Box is owned by Sean Long, who played at West Point Military Academy, and developed this practice facility because he was pained at watching youngsters struggle.  “Kids get frustrated because they don’t learn the basic skills.  It’s my goal to provide proper instructions so they can play well.   Things like proper hand position on the bat, proper stance, proper body position to field the ball, are not difficult….they just have to be taught correctly.”

 

It doesn’t take long after meeting Sean for you to grasp his passion for the sport, which he credits with preparing him for life.  “Playing a sport like baseball is a microcosm of life…it’s a long road to develop skills, there are ups and downs, tough times but if you keep working you get better and better.”

 

Sean and his staff of instructors, all of whom have played college, minor and major league baseball, are committed to helping young players develop the skills necessary to succeed.  “Our batting cages are set up with professional major league dugouts, creating a great environment complete with artificial turf.  While Mom waits for the kids, there’s a terrific lounge with flat screen television.”

 

Sean, who obviously loves the game, has joined with Velocity Sports Performance next door to The Batter’s Box to provide a complete package.  “Velocity will help the player develop strength, agility and speed, while we help the players define and perfect their skills,” he explains.  “We invite both teams and individuals to participate.”

 

Developing baseball talent isn’t Sean’s only goal.  He also wants to teach youngsters the character traits needed to excel.  “Sports are mandatory for everyone at West Point because they recognize the characteristics players develop.  Their goal is to turn out great leaders who need those same skills.”

 

The concept of providing a facility where players can hone their skills has also attracted the attention of the numerous professionals living in the Houston area.  “We have many players who practice when we are not open to the public.  I’m like a kid in a candy store, I love to listen to their stories.  It’s like being back in the locker room again!  However, here’s the point I’m making.  We had a major league player come in for three straight weeks before Christmas and all he did was hit off a T.  What he was doing is perfecting his technique, working on his swing to develop muscle memory. This is a guy who hits 92 mph fast balls every game!”

 

Sounds like Sean has developed a winning concept.  Call today for details, 281-403-2800.

4815 Hwy 6, Missouri City

 

THE BATTER'S BOX

NOW OPEN
December 11, 2004

THE BATTER’S BOX’S MISSOURI CITY/SUGAR LAND LOCATION TO OPEN IN EARLY DECEMBER

MISSOURI CITY - On December 11, 2004, The Batter’s Box officially opened its Missouri City/Sugar Land location. The Batter’s Box, now open, provides a long awaited state-of-the-art training facility for one of the Nation’s well-known and most successful baseball and softball regions.

The Batter’s Box has 6 training cages, 3 of which have automated batting systems. "We are very excited to provide for the area’s long awaited state-of-the-art training facility that will enable our kids and professional players the ability to train at a higher level than typically offered today," said Sean Long, President of Exodus Sports LLP, owner of The Batter’s Box. The Batter’s Box provides 2 virtual batting systems that allows hitters to view pitchers actually pitching the ball. This enables hitters to work on their timing, an essential component of being a successful hitter. One of the virtual hitting systems can throw up to 9 different pitches in any sequence and in different locations making for a more realistic game like hitting environment.

Additionally, The Batter’s Box provides a virtual fast pitch softball hitting system. "The area is quickly becoming dominant in young women’s softball and we are proud to provide state-of-the-art training for young women," said Sean Long.

Exodus Sports LLP is a U.S.-based, privately held sports performance company. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company develops and operates state-of-the-art sports centers around the country. Exodus Sports' Internet address is www.BattersB.com.

THE BATTER'S BOX

COMING SOON
October 12, 2004

THE BATTER’S BOX’S MISSOURI CITY/SUGAR LAND LOCATION TO OPEN IN EARLY DECEMBER

MISSOURI CITY - On October 4, 2004, The Batter’s Box began construction of its Missouri City/Sugar Land location. Construction of the new baseball and softball training facility is expected to be completed by late November and The Batter’s Box is expected to open in early December. The facility will provide a long awaited state-of-the-art training facility for one the Nation's well-known and most successful baseball and softball regions.

The Batter’s Box will have 6 training facilities, 3 of which will have automated batting systems. “We are very excited to provide the area with this long awaited state-of-the-art training facility. It will enable our kids and professional players to train at a higher level than typically offered today,” said Sean Long, President of Exodus Sports LLP, owner of The Batter’s Box. The Batter’s Box provides 2 virtual batting systems that allow the hitters to view pitchers actually pitching the ball. This enables hitters to work on timing, an essential component of being a successful hitter. One of the virtual hitting systems can throw up to 11 different pitches in any sequence and in different locations making for a more realistic game like hitting environment.

Additionally, The Batter’s Box will provide a virtual fast pitch softball hitting system. “The area is quickly becoming dominant in young women’s softball and we are proud to provide state-of-the-art training for young women,” said Sean Long.

Exodus Sports LLP is a leading U.S.-based, privately held sports performance company. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company develops and operates state-of-the-art sports centers around the country. Exodus Sports' Internet address is www.BattersB.com.

It's time to get off the bench and get into the game. The Batter's Box has state-of-the-art training facilities and programs to maximize your BASEBALL and SOFTBALL skills. The Batter’s Box is a state-of-the-art baseball and softball training academy and facility located in the greater Houston, Texas Area in Missouri City.  We service the Sugar Land, First Colony, Missouri City, Stafford and greater Houston area.

We have various batting cages and pitching tunnels to serve all ages and pitching speeds -- from fast pitch and slow pitch softball to baseball.  Many players, including Major league baeball stars to college baseball and softball players to high school hopefuls to Mickey Mantle and pony league players to little league players to tee ball players, from all over the Houston, Texas area train at our academy.  

We provide ATEC pitching systems for both baseball and softball as well as the state of the art ProBatter pitching systems which can pitch over 100mph and can throw 8 different pitches.  We are located off of Highway 6 across from the HEB next to Velocity Sports Performance.