CONNECTICUT'S CHOICE FOR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT SINCE 2002

The goal of the Junior Slugger Program is to introduce young players to stretching, running, catching, throwing, and hitting skills.  

• Obstacle courses, jumping, sliding-- a great introduction to America's pastime.  
• Our seasoned DK coaches will deliver fun and fast paced age-specific baseball/softball activities. 
• 45 minute classes held weekday mornings on a drop-in/per class basis.

The primary objective for this age group is to ensure that each player has a fun, positive experience with baseball, desires to play again the following year, and can successfully execute the skills listed below.

• Warm up techniques
• Mastering catching skills
• Names of and placement for defensive positions
• Proper throwing mechanics
• Proper fielding position
• Understand the lower and upper body batting checklist
• What to do after the ball is hit as a batter and a runner
• Knows how, why and when to run to the next base
• Understand the difference between force and tag plays

The primary objective for this age group is to ensure that each player develops a love and passion for practicing baseball, understands and starts to manage the emotional aspect of the game and can begin to execute the skills listed below.

• Proper running mechanics to increase on field speed
• Mastery of upper body + lower body set up, and proper loading techniques
• Sacrifice bunting and bunting for a base hit
• Introduction to Visual Game Plan
• Fundamental understanding of 5 Step Pitching mechanics
• Introducing 4 seam, 2 seam, change-up
• How to slide properly and effectively
• Ground ball fielding techniques
• Introduction to Tags and Picks
• Differing footwork techniques to field and throw quickly
• Intro to fielding slow rollers
• How to recognize, and either charge or go back on a fly ball
• Throwing and relaying the ball to the infield
• How to rundown a base runner
• Understand how to execute a double play at all infield positions

This level is both competitive and instructional, with admittedly more emphasis on the competitive aspects of the game than the younger level.  Players' coaches must typically field a competitive team hopefully providing them with a fun learning experience. Players must focus on refining their skill sets with a very strong emphasis on consistency.  The difference between an average player and a good player is the ability to consistently execute fundamental baseball skills.

• Improving on field speed and running mechanics
• Advanced dynamic warm up techniques
• Mastery of upper body + lower body set up, and proper loading techniques
• Mastery of 5 Step Pitching mechanics
• Understanding and managing pitching grips 4 seam, 2 seam, cutter, change-up
• Mastery of sacrifice bunting and bunting for a base hit
• Visual Game Plan and increasing level of pitch recognition
• How to execute different types of slides
• Tags and Picks
• Proper footwork techniques to field and throw quickly
• Throwing from different arm angles
• Fielding slow rollers
• How to recognize and either charge or go back on a fly ball
• Throwing and relaying the ball to the infield
• How to execute a proper rundown
• Properly execute a double play at all infield positions

The biggest and most difficult jump in baseball is the successful transition to the bigger field. It can be the difference in staying and not staying.

A baseball player’s career is on the line at age 13 & 14 years old, and we know that 75% of kids stop playing sports by age 14.  Many ball players do pretty well at age 12, but disappear from the baseball world by age 13 & 14.  Players and parents must be aware of the fun, the rewards, and the difficulties of playing baseball on the bigger diamonds after 12yrs old.

• Increasing arm strength
• Strength training to develop quicker linear speed and change of direction abilities
• Continuing to master fundamental skill sets learned at 11/12 yrs old
• Deeper understanding of aspects of strategy in the game
• Bunting consistently, leads and stealing, pick-off plays, bunt defenses
• Situational hitting
• Mental Skills

Coaches at the High School level must put the most competitive team on the field possible.  Poor mechanics players execute at tryouts are because of improper techniques that have gone uncorrected for years at lower levels of play.

Typically when selecting players HS Coaches look at:

Athletic ability

• running ability, agility
• 60yd dash times and Home to 1st
• overall strength

Baseball ability

• throwing, catching, hitting
• the ability to make the routine play
• high level of baseball IQ

Coachability

• hustle, attitude, attentiveness
• listening ability and the ability to follow instructions

Throwing
Throwing is probably the number one reason players end up being cut from programs. First day of tryouts they watch warm up and immediately a red flag goes up on some players. These players stand out because of poor throwing mechanics, which generally result in poor arm strength and lack of velocity.

HS Tryouts typically consist testing of:

Outfielders - Looking for ability to judge fly balls, arm strength and accuracy
Infielders - Coaches looking for ability to field ground balls, athleticism, arm strength and accuracy.
Catchers - Glove to glove stopwatch time on throws to second base. They also judge their ability to handle a pitching staff and receive pitches
Pitchers - Looking for arm action, consistency, secondary pitches and velocity.
Hitters - Watch swing mechanics. Do their swing mechanics show that they have the ability to be a potential hitter

Whether you're looking to get your off-season work in by yourself, need a training partner, or have a friend to work out with, Diamond Kings and Parisi Speed School looks forward to being your winter training home.

Please contact info@dkacademy.com to inquire or to take a tour of our facilities.

• Centrally located in Bristol, CT
• Warm, well lit, open gym with 40 ft peak ceilings
• Large, well equipped, modern weight room
• Large turf area for drills and sprint work
• Throwing lanes and batting tunnels
• Locker rooms, sauna, pool, hot tub
• Access to our network of physicians, physical therapists, and other rehabilitation providers
• Conveniently and discreetly train in our facility weekdays between 6am and 3/4pm, weekends vary January-March

OFF SEASON STRENGTH TRAINING

When you’re a world class athlete, your body is your tool. Your stats are your resume, and an injury can end your career.

In today’s super competitive game, your performance - today and tomorrow - is the only thing that matters. 

DK and Parisi Speed School offer exclusive, comprehensive, individualized programs built for athletes in every sport in order to bring them to their highest level of performance.

If you’re a pro athlete or preparing to be a pro and are looking for:

• a program tailored specifically to your needs and goals
• a program that starts with you where you’re at now, not where you want to be
• a program that takes current injuries into account and actively works to prevent future injuries
• a program where you’re not just on an assembly line

Diamond Kings and the Parisi Speed School is the place for you.  Every athlete who comes to DK receives a thorough assessment used to plan each individual's program in order to maximize the athlete’s development and performance.

Diamond Kings offers elite off-season training programs for professional athletes at a fraction of the cost of other, more luxurious spa-type programs. We are focused on training and provide either 1-on-1 and small group sessions. Our focus on individuals or small groups means availability is always limited.

Off-Season Program Concentrations

• Imbalances
• Prevention
• Training
• Nutrition