Allen Van Norden has agreed to become the new Director of Athletic Performance at Athletic Edge, a part of the BATT Academy LLC.

Van Norden enters his first season as the director of strength and conditioning at Coppin State after being hired in October 2010.

Van Norden, who has worked with more than 15 different sports at the collegiate level during previous stints at Delaware State and South Carolina State, oversees Coppin State’s department of strength and conditioning.

A 2004 graduate of Bowie State University, He is CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) certified and a member of the CSCCA (Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association). Van Norden spent two of the last three years as a director of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports at South Carolina State. During his time in South Carolina State, and Delaware State, he worked with a number of different men’s and women’s sports teams which have won conference championships and finished remarkably better then the previous years.

Van Norden has organized and conducted strength and speed camps and clinics for high school teams, worked with professional athletes from the NFL, NBA, MLB and MLS. He also founded Anatomy Sports Performance which provides strength training to high school, amateur and professional athletes. And it also serves as a mentoring program which provides students with the opportunity to work and learn more about the strength training profession.

Van Norden, a native of Port Chester, N.Y., is Married to Millicent Sylvan and they have three children Christian, Cain, and Loki.

Speed, Agility, & Strength (SAS)

Our SAS program is designed to enhance the athletes speed and quickness, while also increasing strength and flexibility. 

The course is heavy in plyometric exercises which forces the athlete to utilize their fast-twitch muscle fibers.  Some of the areas of focus include:

The full course lasts 8 weeks, with two sessions per week (each sessions is about an 1 hr 15min long).  However, we do offer 4 and 6 week courses as well.  Our classes are based on a group rate, and to form a group you must have a minimum of 5 athletes.  If you are an individual without a group and wish to join a class, we will place you in the first available group.  The group rates (minimum of 5) are listed below:

8 Week Program:

• BATT Members – $18 per session
• Non-Members – $25 per session

6 Week Program:

• BATT Members – $20 per session
• Non Members – $25 per session

4 Week Program:

• BATT Members – $20 per session
• Non-Members – $25 per session

To register your group, or to inquire about joining an existing group, please send us an email at thebatt@verizon.net or call 410.590.BATT

Or you can reach Coach Williams, who runs all SAS programs, via email:

Coach Anthony Williams

anthony.williams84@yahoo.com

  This past week, Coach Acevedo and Coach Williams along with several other college coaches and pro scouts, had the unique opportunity to work with over 200 high school baseball players from across the country at the United States Naval Academy.  It was a long, but extremely fun and informative camp that gave kids a unique opportunity to not only receive top notch instruction from some of the best college coaches around, but also a taste of what life is like as a midshipman at the US Naval Academy.  Coaches and players lived in the dorms on base for the duration of camp and were exposed to some of the daily routines that a midshipman player or coach goes through each day.  

Bishop Stadium

The mornings began with a quick 7:00am breakfast then players reported to their respective fields by 7:45 to begin morning skills training.  Aside from the normal hitting, fielding and pitching stations, players were also given the opportunity to enhance their agility and flexibility while also learning advanced base stealing techniques.  After lunch, players reported back out for games in the afternoon followed by dinner in the evening.  Each night was concluded with a leadership talk with speakers including Coach Kosty from Navy, a Marine Corp Captain, and also a Navy Seal.  

One of the most challenging and exciting parts of the Navy Baseball Camp actually came away from the baseball field.  Players were exposed to what is known as the Endurance Course.  The “E” course as its known is a 2.5 mile course through the woods that includes several obstacles along the way.  Players  climbed up ropes, vaulted over walls, balanced over rope bridges, all while trekking up and down steep hills, sometimes through the mud!  It was a challenging, but very fun course for the players and a handful of coaches, including Coach Williams (Acevedo was stuck umping !).  

toughness can be more mental than physical

All in all, it was great experience for everyone involved; Coach Williams and Coach Acevedo were excited to see so many familiar faces there from the BATT Academy.  All of you guys made a good impression and did a great job representing the BATT while holding your own against some of the best high school players across the country. 

A special thanks to Coach Jason Ronai, one of the hardest working guys in baseball, you’re the best. 

Check back for more stories and updates from the BATT Academy as we try each and every day to teach the game of baseball and share our knowledge and experiences with younger players.  

Come by and visit us, or drop us an email… thebatt@verizon.net 

 Coach Williams                  anwilliams01@frostburg.edu 

Coach Acevedo                 mace4429@yahoo.com

Ken Pumphrey explaining curve ball grips to Pat Hornick (RHP, Severna Park HS)

After several weeks of planning and preparation, the BATT Academy is proud to report that the Pro Pitching Experience kicked off week 1 yesterday.  The six week program is anchored by four ex-professional pitchers, Eric Milton, Mitch Cook, Ken Pumphrey, and Tony Saunders.  Each two-hour session is broken up between an hour of one-on-one pitching instruction and an hour of strength and conditioning, customized specifically for pitchers. 

Mitch Cook explaining the importance of a pitcher's lower body power

Our inaugural program sold out, as we strictly limited it to 16 elite high school and college age pitchers. Hopefully this is the first of many similar type programs throughout the year at the BATT Academy.

Eric Milton discussing bullpen preparation with Britton Quayle (RHP Frostburg State)

This elite group of pitchers will be exposed to the physical and mental aspects of pitching in a unique way, through the minds of four ex-professional pitchers.  In addition, they will gain insight on arm care and  injury prevention to go along with their weekly workout routines. 

Tony Saunders demonstrates a proper PFP drill

Also, we want to give a special thanks to our guest instructor, Greg Schwartzkoff (Stength & Conditioning Coordinator for the Bowie Baysox), for taking the time to work with our pitchers in the Pro Pitching Experience program in week 1.  Greg was able to bring his knowledge on how to prepare and repair a pitcher’s body between starts and share it with our program.  So again, thanks Greg from the entire BATT Academy Staff!!

Greg Schwartzkoff

To find out more about the Pro Pitching Experience or to request a lesson with one of our instructors, please contact a BATT Academy representative at 410.590.BATT or email thebatt@verizon.net

The Pro Pitching Experience

Tuesdays only beginning July 6th, 2010

¨ 6 week program combining pitcher’s skills training and baseball-specific strength and conditioning

¨ Experience professional training from a staff with over 40 years of Professional Baseball Experience

¨ Customized weight-training, Vertimax and SAS programs

¨ “Pre-hab” and injury prevention techniques

¨ Focus on instruction and skills development

This program is strictly limited to 24 pitchers age 13 and older.  To request a spot please call The BATT Academy at 410.590.BATT or send an email to thebatt@verizon.net

Pro Staff Including:

Eric Milton

-1st Round pick NY Yankees

-No-hitter with Min Twins 1998

-Also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Los Angeles Dodgers

-2001 AL All-Star

Mitch Cook

-3rd Round pick Chicago Cubs    

-Also pitched for the New York Mets and Houston Astros

-Current pitching coach for Anne Arundel Community  College

Tony Saunders

-Signed by Florida Marlins

-Pitched in Game 4 of 1997 World Series

-Pitched 2 years for Tampa Bay

-Retired 1999

Ken Pumphrey

-4th Round pick NY Mets

-Also pitched for Minnesota Twins and Philadelphia Phillies

-75-68 career record & 4.15 era

Beginning on Monday, June 14th The BATT Academy will be switching to new summer hours.  For the months of June, July and August, the hours will be as following:

Monday: 12-7pm

Tuesday: 12-7pm*** (We will be running the “Pro Pitching Experience” on Tuesdays starting at 4pm beginning July 6th thru mid August so space will be limited from 4pm-7pm on Tuesdays)

Wednesday: 12-7pm

Thursday: 12-6pm

Friday: 12-6pm

Saturday: 9am-1pm

For any questions or concerns please contact a BATT representative at 410.590.BATT

Kevin Kean- Old Mill HS     Mike Marsh- Chesapeake HS       Jason Seitler- Chesapeake HS

2010 MSABC Pre-Season All-State Selecetions

BASEBALL BOOT CAMP!

Once a week we offer an intense Baseball Boot Camp that incorporates a tremendous amount of baseball specific movements, all done at a pace designed to get you into top baseball shape.

Strength, conditioning, injury prevention and performance enhancement are the name of the game in our boot camp.  Based on the legendary workouts of Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite!

Our Baseball Boot Camp is a work out with band work, medicine ball, VERTIMAX, and weight resistance exercises that are proven to make you a better athlete!

Athletic Edge 30 Day Group Membership Packages

Package #1. 8 SAS Group conditioning classes  

Package #2. 8 VERTIMAX Training Sessions     

Package #3. 8 SAS Group conditioning                 

4 Strength Sessions                              

(2 SAS & 1 Strength Class per week)

Package #4. 8 Strength training sessions              

Package #5. 8 Strength Sessions                               

4 SAS conditioning Classes                

(2 Strength & 1 SAS per week)

Package #6. 8 Strength Sessions                                 

8 SAS conditioning Classes                 

(2 Strength & 2 SAS per week)

Package #7. 12 Strength training sessions              

SESSIONS STARTING AS LOW AS $20 PER SESSION!!!!

Athletic Edge Performance Training Programs

Small Group Strength and Sports Performance

Train like the pros! In a small-group setting you will work on sport-specific functional weight training exercises to optimize athletic performance.   Our athletes are expertly trained to be incredibly strong, explosive, flexible and agile, all while working on performance for their individual sport.  Get exactly what you need to be a stronger, more flexible and better overall athlete.

SAS Group Conditioning Class

SAS training is a combination of speed, agility and conditioning rolled into an intense hour-long workout, focused on creating faster and better conditioned athletes.  Our trainers utilize the newest tools including the power sled, hurdles, parachutes and ladder drills to give our athletes a complete training experience.  Get in the best shape of your life!

VERTIMAX Training

Pro athletes are discovering the incredible training tool known as the Vertimax.  It has the ability to dramatically increase speed, velocity, vertical jump, first step quickness, and explosiveness.  If you need to run faster, jump higher, and become a more explosive athlete, start Vertimax training today!

Notes:

-Prices based on a group; minimum of 4 Athletes per training session is required for discount pricing!

-Each strength package will include 1 or more VERTIMAX-centered sessions

-Each membership is valid for 30 calendar days. Missed training classes can be made up within the 30-Day membership.

-Access to our sister company, The BATT Academy, can be added to the 30-Day Membership for an additional $75. Restrictions- access is limited to 3-5pm, Monday- Friday only