Seven Cities Sports doesn't want to see a shutout in the world of performance training, so the local group is broadening its range, starting with an open house Monday.
In August, Velocity Sports Performance, which trained youth, teen and adult athletes, shut its Chesapeake facility. Now 7 Cities Sports, which had focused on camps and skills clinics for baseball and softball, is diving into the performance-training market.
The goal, 7 Cities director Tim Hummel said, is to increase speed, strength, agility and conditioning for athletes in all sports.
"If you're not doing this type of training, you're not really keeping up with the athletes around you," Hummel said.
Hummel, a former Old Dominion University star, played infield for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003 and 2004. His partners at 7 Cities are three other pro players with local roots - Michael Cuddyer, a rightfielder for the Minnesota Twins; B.J. Upton, a centerfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays; and Justin Upton, a rightfielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The group will hold three free hour-long sessions from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the Chilled Ponds sports complex in Chesapeake. The demos are open to 8- to 18-year-olds, Hummel said, but 7 Cities will offer training for older athletes, too.
Hummel said prices haven't been set, but he expects monthly packages to range from $85 to $185 depending on the number of sessions. Training will be available for individuals or teams, he said, with location options including 7 Cities' facility in Chesapeake or a team's home school.
Philip Walzer, (757) 222-3864, phil.walzer@pilotonline.com
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