NATIONAL SPORT ACADEMY

BASEBALL NEWS:

Archived Baseball News...

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ABOUT:

Welcome to the National Sport Academy!

Our Mission: "To inspire passion for the game of baseball while developing character for the game of life!"

Student athletes, who participate at a competitive level in various sports, have the opportunity to attend the National Sport Academy at Central Memorial High School. The National Sport Academy began in 1995 with the sport of hockey and provides a unique and specialized learning environment, within the school setting, for student athletes in grades 7 through 12.

In 2005, the National Sport Academy added to the existing hockey program the sports of golf, soccer, lacrosse, and equestrian. In 2006, the National Sport Academy will also add baseball.

The National Sport Academy program is a periodized sport and lifestyle program offered throughout the school year, designed to support and work in harmony with the student athlete's competitive sport training schedule. Over the course of the school year, and for one period each day, student athletes participate in sport specific skill sessions, dryland training sessions and dynamic life skill sessions all based on the needs of the competitive athlete. Each segment of the National Sport Academy program is held at the optimum time of the year to balance with the specific demands of the student athlete's schedule.

Over the three years of high school, student athletes have the opportunity to receive 31 credits for successful participation in the various components of the National Sport Academy.

The National Sport Academy is a supportive learning environment for emerging competitive athletes; working together as an integral part of the community of professionals who inspire student athletes to achieve personal success in both academics and athletics.

For more information on this unique opportunity, please call (403)777-3646.

For more information on each sport program of the National Sport Academy please visit the following links:

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OUR SCHOOLS:

HIGH SCHOOL

Central Memorial High School
5111 21 St. SW, Calgary, AB T3E 1R9
PH: (403)243-8880 FAX: (403)777-7409
Principal: Lee Villiger

The National Sport Academy Program at Central Memorial High School has male and female baseball, equestrian, golf, hockey, lacrosse, and soccer programs available to qualified student athletes in grades ten through twelve.

Student athletes receive high school credits for their successful participation in the National Sport Academy. Over the three year high school period, student athletes have the opportunity to receive 31 credits in Phys Ed 10, 20, 30; CALM 20; and Coaching and Leadership 15,25,35.

OUR COACHES:

Our coaches have a great passion for what they do! They are full time, professional coaches who work twelve months of the year training and inspiring young baseball players and coaches at all levels. National Sport Academy coaches have many years of experience in developing young athletes and responsible citizens.

Baseball Operations

• Jim Lawson

• Chris Reitsma

NATIONAL SPORT ACADEMY COACH CREDENTIALS

Chris Reitsma is the National Sport Academy Head Baseball Coach.

Chris lives in Calgary full time with his wife Janelle and their three daughters, Kylie, Emily and Allyson.

Chris has a long and storied baseball history! In 1995 Chris played on the Canadian Junior National Team. Chris was drafted in the 1st round, 34th overall, by the Boston Red Sox in 1996. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2000 where he made his major league debut opening day of 2001. Chris spent three years with the Reds from 2001-2003 and earned their major league pitcher of the year award in 2003.

Chris was traded to the Atlanta Braves in 2004 where he spent three years, 2004-2006, setting an Atlanta Braves record for appearances in 2004 with 84.

Chris made major league playoff appearances in 2004 and 2005 and was named to the major league All Star team that travelled to Japan for an all-star series in November 2004.

Chris signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2007 where he ended his major league career due to elbow problems.

Chris finished his playing career as a member of the 2008 Canadian Olympic baseball team.

Jim Lawson is also a National Sport Academy Baseball Coach.

Jim and his family moved to Calgary from Vancouver B.C. in 1999 to begin his instructional baseball career in a central location that has a tremendous amount of untapped talent. His goal is to encourage play at all levels by re-enforcing basic fundamentals, allowing each athlete to have fun while achieving their personal goals.

Jim's adult playing career started in 1985 where his Richmond Autobody Jr. Team played their way from Provincial and Western Canadian Champions to bronze medalists at the Nationals. From there his career continued to exceed his expectations by playing for Team Canada (1986) the National Baseball Institute (1986-87) and B.C.'s All-Star Team (1987).

In 1988 Jim took his career to a new level heading to a NAIA ranked school; Huntington College, Indiana. There he was an integral part of his team, taking the Area Championship title only to lose in Regional Finals.

The Major League Draft occurred shortly after his School's successful year, where Jim's dreams were about to come true. He was drafted as a right handed pitcher in the 10th round by the Oakland A's. Jim's professional career lasted 3 years which included joining the "AA" Huntsville Stars, Southern League.

Shortly thereafter Jim returned to Canada and continued to play and coach for Richmond Autobody, get married and start a family. Since moving to Calgary he has kept his playing career active but began his new focus of coaching and instructing young players.

It's through his vast baseball career spanning many years, across North American and Asia that Jim believes he can teach aspiring baseball players and coaches the intricacies of a game that he loves, and hopefully that will help young men find their way to a successful career, beyond their hopes and dreams.

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OUR PHILOSOPHY:

ON LEARNING AND MISTAKES

John W. Gardner has noted the connection between learning and mistakes:

"One of the reasons mature people are apt to learn less than young people is that they are willing to risk less. Learning is a risky business, and they do not like failure. In infancy, when children are learning at a phenomenal rate - a rate at which they will never again achieve - they are also experiencing a great many failures. Watch them. See the innumerable times they try and fail. See how little the failures discourage them. With each year that passes they will be less blithe about failure. By adolescence the willingness of young people to risk failure has diminished greatly. And all too often parents rush them further along that road by instilling fear, by punishing failure or by making success seem too precious. By middle age most of us carry in our heads a tremendous catalogue of things we have no intention of trying again becuase we tried them once and failed - or tried them once and did less well than our self-esteem demanded."

POSITIVE COACHING

The single most prevalent goal or young athletes is to avoid looking dumb. Some try incredibly hard to keep out of situations where they are at risk of looking dumb.

Fear of making a mistake is a paralyzing force that robs athletes of spontaneity, love of the game, and a willingness to try new things. It is the no-buts approach to mistakes that gives this sense of psychological and emotional freedom that can unlock the learning process and occasionally release truly inspired athletic performance.

Perhaps the most important reason why coaches should make the most of mistakes is because every kid knows that adults can be two-faced. All adults tell kids to "do as I say, not as I do." Every kid has seen adults espouse values in the abstract and then violate them in the specific when it was in their interest to do so.

"You get good judgement by exercising bad judgement."

Practice sessions are where the players discover whether the coach knows what he or she is doing and whether or he or she has a commitment to helping the athlete become as good as they can be.

Organizing productive practice sessions for a group of young athletes is an underestimated challenge - it is an art and requires a commitment to make it happen.

The only way to acquire a skill is to over-learn it. Repetition is the key to over-learning, which can lead to outstanding athletic performances.

The key to being able to allow your players some autonomy during practice is having the confidence that you can get and hold their attention when you need or want it. Once a coach learns that he can regain control of the reins, he can loosen up and cultivate a gentle hand.

A coach who expects loyalty from his players needs to demonstrate the same loyalty back, rather than telling the world about their failings.

We fail to put ourselves completely in the shoes of our children. When they are our age, most of them also will be able to hit a fifth-grader's pitching. The better comparison for us might be, "Could I hit Nolan Ryan's pitching?" After all, Nolan Ryan is older than most Little League parents.

Five characteristics of outstanding competitors:

1. is internally rather than externally motivated.
2. seeks and is energized by challenges.
3. sees his/her development as a process under his/her control rather than a fixed capability.
4. is independent and willing to risk violating conventional wisdom.
5. can accept both success and failures as part of the game.

A coach can help players learn to become better decision makers but not if he is breeding dependent order takers.

There is a difference between 'tradition,' which is the living ideas of the dead, and 'traditionalism,' which is the dead ideas of the living.

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CURRICULUM:

ON THE FIELD

• Student athletes who participate in the National Sport Academy Baseball program can expect an average of 3 sport specific training sessions per week.
• We will be on the field from September to October (weather permitting) and May to July. During the winter months we'll be a Chinook training center.
• You will be able to participate in summer league play outside of the National Sport Academy.
• Your individual spring/summer schedule will be taken into consideration when scheduling personal instruction (during months April through July).
• Workouts will be tailored specific to baseball:
1. sport specific training
2. cross training
• Most recent teaching techniques will be used to prepare athletes for secondary training.
• Development of mental skills necessary to play under pressure.
• Development of individual skills and thought processes.
• Development of team philosophy (individual responsibility within a team).
• Effective use of coaching staff to maximize teaching and development.
• National Sport Academy Christmas Classic.
• Competition Days
• Coaches understand the demands of the off field environment when it comes to psychological state, sleep and nutritional concerns.
• Schedules are structured to consider these factors when designing a practice.
• Athletes will be challenged and asked to take risks when it comes to their skill development, This will be done in a safe manner.
• We must realize to reach your full potential you might have to experience some bumps along the road to get to the finish line.

LIFE SKILLS: Coaching Character!

Life Skills are the foundation of the National Sport Academy program. Every activity the National Sport Academy athletes participate in becomes the perfect place to coach Life Skills. Whether it is learning how to effectively communicate with teachers, coaches and parents or developing work ethic in the gym, there is always an opportunity to teach Life Skills to young athletes during National Sport Academy sessions. Student athletes also participate in regularly scheduled National Sport Academy Life Skills classes taught by National Sport Academy coaches and guest speakers covering a wide variety of topics including:

• Achieving an NCAA scholarship
• Substance abuse
• Mental toughness
• Resumes
• Player Marketing and Portfolio
• Nutrition
• Ethics
• Dealing with Distraction
• Time Management
• Preparing for the S.A.T's
• Dating and Relationships
• Self-Discipline
• Self Esteem
• Leadership
• Try out Camp Success
• Choices in baseball
• Controlling your destiny
• Stress workshop
• Off-field training
• Team building
• Will you be great?
• Heroes
• Motivational sessions
• Making positive choices
• Standing alone, standing tall
• Goal setting for practices
• Team Alberta selection preparation
• Public speaking
• One on one meetings
• Where do I go from here?

The following is a list of character traits the National Sport Academy strives to develop in our young athletes in all areas of the National Sport Academy curriculum (both on and off the field). Through support of our players in a variety of day-to-day situations, the National Sport Academy coaches have many opportunities to build and reinforce the following positive character traits:

1. Mental Toughness - National Sport Academy athletes are taught that a tough spot is often an opportunity to develop mental toughness. Athletes learn that winning is not the only criterion for success; it is by trying new and challenging things that one gets mentally tougher. A young athlete's performance often improves as he/she readjusts focus from fear of failing to a willingness to try to develop mental toughness and forget the past failures.
2. Having Fun - The ability to enjoy challenges and take pleasure in both struggles and successes. Win or lose, NSA athletes are encouraged to enjoy the journey.
3. Winning and Losing with Class - NSA athletes enjoy the battles of competition - they love to compete. But win or lose, NSA athletes are taught how to do both with class and respect for their opponent: fear no opponent, but respect every opponent.
4. Courage - NSA athletes are often put in stressful everyday situations with a team coach, player, or playing in an intense game, where fear becomes the primary focus. Often NSA athletes are placed in situations outside the NSA environment where it is very difficult to do what is right or necessary and they are often afraid. The NSA environment and coaching staff act as the stabalizing force for their fears; the NSA provides the one place where athletes feel safe to make mistakes, take risks and tackle their fears. Athletes learn how to engage in conflict resolution where the issues are clearly defined and they learn to communicate with confidence.
5. Setting and Commitment to Goals - All NSA athletes are guided through goal setting exercises at various times throughout the year. Goals are revisited, analyzed and readjusted as progress is made.
6. Leadership - NSA athletes are placed in many situations, through their academics and sport involvement, where leadership skills are required. It has been our experience that, as athletes learn leadership skills at the NSA they become confident, articulate leaders who exhibit honesty, integrity, justice and personal ethics. NSA athletes are often chosen for leadership roles on their teams.

STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING TRAINING - the one critical element most often misunderstood and overlooked in the success of a high performance athlete!

Included in the National Sport Academy program is a complete Sport Specific High Performance Training program. There is no need to enroll your athlete in any other training programs, at any time during the year, as the National Sport Academy training program is designed to specifically address the needs of athletes both in-season and in the off season months. The National Sport Academy coaches know the specific needs of your athlete and understand how to effectively train a high performance athlete. During the school year, training takes place in the athletes scheduled sports period and for the athletes in grades 9-12, the training program is continued into July with an optional user pay segment in August. Training facilities include the many options available at all three National Sport Academy schools along with the University of Calgary and Mount Royal College High Performance training facilities.

STUDENT SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must attend a selection camp where on field performance will be evaluated. Athletes will also be interviewed to ensure their commitment, dedication and understanding of the National Sport Academy Program.

An athlete's initial performance will be assessed in the following:

• Individual skills
• Individual tactics
• An understanding and ability to execute team tactics
• An understanding and ability to execute team strategy
• Physical endurance and strength improvements - fitness testing
• Leadership, attitude and respect

The athlete's ongoing performance will be assessed based on development and improvement in the previously described areas.

Student athletes must have demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence.

Performance and commitment to the program will be reviewed on an annual basis by National Sport Academy coaching staff and communicated to parents and players in a coach / parent / player meeting. This review will be taken into consideration when the athletes National Sport Academy re-application is submitted for the next year.

Special consideration for selection to the National Sport Academy may be given due to injury of other relevant circumstances.

An athletes' ongoing commitment to the program will be partially determined by their attendance at National Sport Academy sessions.

Athletes will be expected to take part in fitness testing set out by the National Sport Academy.

Character references and hockey references provided by the athlete will be taken into consideration.

Other possible exceptions may be taken into consideration.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Obtain a National Sport Academy application package. Application forms may be picked up in person, emailed, faxed or mailed to you. Please be sure to specify which school and sport you would like an application for.

   National Sport Academy
   #1729 12th Street SW
   Calgary, AB
   T2T 3N1
   Phone: 777-3646 Fax: 777-4550
   Email: info@nationalsportacademy.com




2. Attend a National Sport Academy Information Meeting



3. Submit your completed application, application checklist and required fees to the National Sport Academy.
   
   
4. Following a response from the National Sport Academy, attend a Sport Specific evaluation session.

TUITION FEES (2010-2011)

SPORT	AMOUNT- Cash or Cheque Payment	AMOUNT- Visa or Mastercard Payment
Baseball	$4,000 + GST	$4,100 + GST

 

 

Once an athlete has registered and has been accepted into the National Sport Academy, fees are non-refundable.

SPECIALTY CLINICS:

The National Sport Academy Baseball Coaches are available for both Specialty Clinics and Coach Mentoring. For more information or to book a session, email info@nationalsportacademy.com or call the National Sport Academy office at (403)777-3646.