Are good ball players born that way? While some athletes are gifted, it truly is about hard work and dedication. One local business is town is helping to hone the skills of youth and paving the way for their success in the world of youth sports.
Over the past year, 360 Elite Sports Training has evolved with a thriving membership in the region. They specialize in proven training and instruction. The coaches at 360 Elite Sports know that training gives the young athletes and parents results. “We have recruited the best instructors to
help our players get better whether it be baseball, softball, football, basketball, etc. We help our young athletes get better at their craft,” they said.
“Young people need to train and work on their skills. Players gain confidence as they get better and stronger.”
On average, they serve around 200 athletes each week. 360 Elite Sports offer camps, clinics and training seven days per week at their 10,000 square foot indoor and outdoor facility located
on Raeford Road. With a majority of students playing middle school and high school ball, they garner heavy support from area coaches as they promote their players to train outside of their
scheduled school practices.
The coaches get their players better prepared for their school seasons. Players training at 360 are above average players and even the top players on their teams according to the coaches.
The staff at 360 Elite shared that often times private schools have somewhat of a disadvantage in baseball because they historically have a smaller pool of players to recruit from to be on their teams.
Many of the private schools are less established as the public school teams. However, the baseball trainers have many private schools that they work with to help grow their programs and the results speak for themself. Fayetteville has some very strong private school baseball teams that are working hard.
For some student athletes, playing ball is merely a recreational team sport, but for others, they have aspirations to be recruited for college ball and scholarships. Unlike 10 years ago, our country has more college baseball programs than ever before. If a player wants to play college ball, whether it be Division 1, Division 2 or Division 3, 360 Elite Sports Training can find a college program for them. “Our instructors have helped hundreds of players go on to college baseball,” said the staff at
360. “We do have many kids that do not care to play college ball but want to be great players for their middle schools, high school teams and travel teams. The game of baseball helps mold young men into balanced young men who are learning valuable skills for life to include social responsibility and social behavior.”
Technology has helped a great deal with all sports and it is just one of the tools used to sharpen its athletes. 360 Elite coaches shared that the tools they have at their disposal really help their players get to the next level. “In the end, it still comes down to rolling up your sleeves and working hard on
fundamentals,” they said. “Technology will not make you a better player, it will compliment the training and becomes a tool in our tool box.”
While 360 Elite has a reputation for quality programs and instruction, they don’t promise to make your child the next Derek Jeter or Jennie Finch. The satisfaction and marked improvement has put this training center at the forefront of the game. Word has spread and they have athletes coming from all over the state to train at 360 Elite.
The team at 360 Elite knows that it’s fundamental to connect, understand and train each athlete according to his or her style, personalizing the training.
In January, former Fayetteville Swampdogs Head Coach Darrell Handelsman, joined the staff at Elite 360 and has put on pitching clinics and private lessons. His past nine years of experience will transcend into expertise and skills for the baseball academy.
Spring ball and travel teams are ready to kick off. If you are looking to get your kids moving or even introduced to sports by starting out with a solid foundation and good habits, 360 Elite has programs for all ages and abilities. The coach’s advice to parents is to not wait until spring ball rolls around and then start practicing. Start now. The more prepared your child is for the upcoming season, the more fun they will have. Confidence is everything.
Learn more about 360 Baseball Academy at their website:
www.360elitebaseballacademy.comPlay ball!
Little Leagues For Your Little One
Spring Lake Recreation & Parks
910.436.0011
Baseball registration is going on now for ages
4 to 14 and girl’s softball for ages 9 to 14.
Registration ends Saturday, March 8.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks
& Recreation
910.433.1547
Baseball (Spring 2014)
James Parker, 910.433.1392
Open registration is January 2 through March
1. Late registration (only if spaces are available)
will end April 12. Season starts April 12.
Three proofs of residence, a birth certificate
and the fee are required at the time of registration.
To assist with insuring eligibility, a photo
ID will be taken by staff. Players will not be
placed on a team until the photo ID is completed.
League age is the age attained by a player
prior to May 1 of the current playing year. 5 to
18 years. $20 (or $25 for late registration).
Softball (Spring 2014)
Rhonda Groves, 910.433.1398
Open registration is January 2 to March 1.
Late registration (only if spaces are available)
will end April 12. Season starts April 12.
Three proofs of residence, a birth certificate
and the fee are required at the time of registration.
To assist with insuring eligibility, a photo
ID will be taken by staff. Players will not be
placed on a team until the photo ID Is completed.
League age is the age attained by a player
prior to Jan. 1 of the current playing year. 7 to
18 years. $20 (or $25 for late registration).
Fort Bragg Youth Services
Register online through March 7 at https://
webtrac.mwr.army.mil for Baseball ages 5 to
ages 18 and Softball for ages 9 to ages 18,
$45.
Hope Mills Youth Association
910.424.8265
Baseball and Softball registration starts January
2 through March 1, 2014. Ages 5 to 15
years old.
