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May 16, 2016 – Escondido, Calif.-based newco XBand Sports announced today the launch of a new, proprietary technology solution for players, coaches and parents seeking a training edge to help players reach the next level in the increasingly competitive baseball and softball worlds: The 3XThreat (pronounced “Triple Threat”) Speed & Mechanics Video System.
“It’s a ‘triple threat’ on and off the field,” said Jose Doval, XBand Sports CEO. “On the field, 3XThreat is the first-ever 3-in-1 training system focused on improving a player’s mechanics and ‘Big 3’ skills: Pitching, hitting and base-running. Off the field, it’s the first hands-free speed and mechanics video unit, sports app and online web analytics system for evaluating player skills, monitoring progress and correcting mechanics,” he explained.
The 3XThreat system is easy to operate. It automatically captures the speed of players pitching, hitting and base-running – hands-free – in short-action video clips, so no editing is ever needed, which saves users a great deal of time. It provides real-time feedback on your smart device, including instant replay, annotation and side-by-side video comparisons – so players can identify and compare what they’re doing right or wrong. The unit also accurately times base running, with an automatic start and finish timer. After on-field training sessions, players go online using the XBand Sports App and Performance Center to analyze, track and share skill improvements vs. past sessions and over time.
“The first thing parents or young players look to when they’re struggling at the plate or on the mound is buying a new high-tech bat or glove, or to get more reps practicing the same flawed swing, pitching or throwing motion over and over,” said Bobby Crosby, former Oakland A’s star shortstop and 2004 American League Rookie of the Year, who now owns and operates the Bobby Crosby Baseball Academy based in Foothill Ranch, Calif., providing private instruction to players from Little League through MLB pros. “They should be focused more on using video, analytics and trained eyes to identify flaws, improve mechanics, reinforce good habits and put less stress on their arms – basically to train smarter, and thereby improve faster. “Our staff of private certified pitching and hitting instructors feels the new 3XThreat is an ideal tool for exactly that, regardless of the player’s age or skill level.”
Priced at 249.99 – – $379.99 with the tablet – – 3XThreat offers a tremendous value, costing less than most high-tech bats or gloves, and lasting years longer given XBand Sports’ ability to update the sports app and technology remotely over time.
“For the millions of bucket dads and moms across America spending incredible amounts of time and money trying to help their kids improve and get to the next level, 3XThreat is a dream come true,” said Jeremy Waller, Asst. Baseball Coach at Grossmont College in San Diego, and CEO of Travelball Connect, a comprehensive forum connecting thousands of amateur baseball and softball enthusiasts. “It’s really creating a buzz with the kids and parents, but from a coach’s perspective, the more we get familiar with the hands-free unit, sports app and performance center system, the more we’re coming to rely on it as a go-to, everyday tool. It provides objective validation off the field of the teaching points we’re making on it.”
“I’ve been around this game my whole life, playing and scouting in the major leagues, and raising five sons that played the game at a high level,” said Reggie Waller, former Assistant General Manager and pro scout with the San Diego Padres, and Jeremy’s father. “You can verbally explain to young kids and even older, more experienced players what they need to do to improve, and it doesn’t always resonate or click,” he explained. “But when they actually see the 3XThreat video clips of their mechanics and results on-screen, and can compare and contrast those mechanics and results with past sessions – – as well as with those of other players – – it’s really a quantum leap forward in the learning and teaching process. They say a picture is worth a thousand words; this new technology and fully-integrated training system is priceless.”
For players, 3XThreat is a workout partner that captures pitch velocity, pitch count, bat speed and base-running speed and mechanics — hands-free. Players can break down each pitch, swing or run live in real time, or after practice. For coaches and private instructors, it’s a diligent assistant and valuable time-saver that accelerates player development. For parents, it’s a cost-effective, extra set of eyes – both on the field and online.
“Jose and I are former Hewlett Packard technology geeks that happen to love and coach youth baseball and softball,” said Kirt Winter, Chief Technology Officer for XBand Sports, and designer of the 3XThreat system and software. “Like most coaches and private instructors, we believed video analysis was a great tool for correcting mechanics flaws, but found it was either too difficult operating the camera while catching and teaching, or too time-consuming to wade through useless footage and edit. So we literally designed and created a ‘hands free,’ user-friendly video unit that enables an Android device to capture short bursts of video action of each pitch or swing, a sports app and an online performance center that offers the best of all worlds for all users.”
“Our utilization of the 3XThreat this season has been instrumental in finding and solving some of the mechanical issues in our pitchers’ motions,” said Laura Winter, currently a professional fastpitch softball pitcher with the Akron Racers, and pitching coach at Fordham University. “They watch and analyze their videos as much as I do thanks to the clipping and sharing capabilities the app and website provide.”
Winter, daughter of XBand CTO Kirt Winter, credits 3XThreat and her dad as being a major factor in her rehab and recovery from a torn labrum, requiring surgery following her senior year starring for Notre Dame, where she achieved Big East “Player of the Year” and two-time “Pitcher of the Year” honors.
“My dad had captured my mechanics on the beta version of the 3XThreat system, so we were able to identify what caused the stress that led to the injury, then used it to adjust and fine tune my pitching mechanics to alleviate it,” she added.
To purchase or learn more about the XBand Sports 3XThreat, go to www.XBandSports.com. The company offers a risk-free, 30-day trial and 100% satisfaction guarantee.
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For more information, photography, video B-roll or interview requests for XBand Sports executives, Bobby Crosby, Jeremy Waller, Reggie Waller or Laura Winter, please contact John Eckel, 646.438.1186 (mobile) or john@thebrandamp.com.
About XBand Sports
XBand Sports is based in Escondido, California. The company creates intuitive, easy to use training tools designed to provide coaches and players deeper insight into the critical aspects of an athlete’s pitch, swing or run. For more information on XBand Sports or its products, please visit www.xbandsports.com.
About Bobby Crosby Baseball Academy
Bobby Crosby Baseball Academy is a new, innovative, full-service professional instruction and training facility that gives players of all levels a one-of-a-kind baseball experience. Bobby attributes the success in his baseball career to his love and enjoyment of the game. He knows that if a player gets the right education and is having FUN, he will improve. BCBA provides an unmatched, positive atmosphere and rewarding experience, while giving elite, major league-level instruction. For more information, contact www.BobbyCrosbyBaseball.com or call 949.716.7270
About Travelball Connect
Located in San Diego, Travelball Connect is an all-purpose network and directory guide that addresses the many needs that travel sports enthusiasts encounter throughout their player’s journey. For more information on its services, please visit www.travelballconnect.com.