The Metal Chapter and TMC Pitching are proud to announce a partnership with New Balance.  Headquartered in Boston, MA, New Balance has long been recognized as a producer of superior athletic footwear and apparel.  In addition to their commitment to U.S. manufacturing, New Balance sets the standard in designing shoes & apparel to fit all widths and sizes…understanding that better fit means better performance.

We, at The Metal Chapter – Performance & Strength and TMC Pitching, are thrilled to be affiliated with New Balance but are equally excited to pass along some great benefits to our clients.  As a Metal Chapter or TMC Pitching client, you will have access to exclusive discounts on the entire New Balance product line.  The exclusive discounts are available to you simply as an additional benefit for being a part of our TMC client family.

At your next training session, ask me about your exclusive TMC discount and how to go about getting your hands on the top of the line New Balance footwear and apparel.  Together, we will “Make Excellent Happen“.

First things first…I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our entire TMC Family.  I am truly blessed with the opportunity to work with each of you and play a small part in you reaching your goals.  The holidays are a time when you recognize the importance of family.  I strive to make each athlete and parent feel like a part of our family.  While we will always roll up our sleeves and get after it each time you walk through the doors of The Metal Chapter, I want you to feel like this is your home away from home.

With that in mind, I am always looking for ways to enhance your experience as a TMC Family Member.  In the past weeks, Barry & I have been discussing ways to benefit our family on top of providing the best in customized, progressive, cutting edge strength and conditioning programs.  We feel like we have come up with something that will greatly benefit you as a TMC Family Member with no additional cost to you.  Stay tuned for an official announcement but in the meantime, have a wonderful  Thanksgiving!

The Metal Chapter Network

For those of you who weren’t aware, The Metal Chapter is on Facebook and Twitter.  ”Like” our Facebook page and ”follow” our Twitter account for up-to-date commentary, news and notes, and family member updates.  Not only will you hear from me, but you now have an opportunity interact with the rest of the family.

Black Label Society Invades Houston

 As you know, The Metal Chapter makes a monthly contribution to the Zakk & Barbaranne Wylde/Black Label Society CBT Lab Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  You can read about Zakk’s involvement with St. Jude here.  Our monthly donation is driven by the hard-earned dollars you spend on Metal Chapter training programs as well as proceeds from the sales of the TMC Anniversary Edition t-shirt.  While you get stronger and faster, you are helping the leading experts develop new drugs to fight and cure cancer in children.

Earlier this month, Black Label Society made a tour stop in Houston and Barry and I were fortunate enough to once again meet with the band prior to the show.  A big Metal Chapter thank you goes out to Zakk, Nick (guitar), JD (bass), Chad (drums), Mark (tour manager), and Phil (band security) for a fabulous evening.

Former TMC intern, Courtney Whittleman is making the most of her senior season at Houston Baptist University.  A libero on the HBU volleyball squad, Courtney entered the season as the reigning Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Year.  She has picked up right where she left off and has led the Huskies to a 12-5 record on the early season.  Already this season, Courtney was named the Most Valuable Player in the annual Husky Classic tournament, has registered double-digit digs in all 17 matches, and most recently was named the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Week.

Congratulations Courtney.  We salute you!

Congratulations are in order for a member of The Metal Chapter Family.  Jason Bourgeois has been named the Houston Astros nominee for the 2011 Roberto Clemente Award.  The annual award recognizes a Major League Baseball player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.

The national winner will be announced during the World Series and voting is open until October 9th.  Click here to rock the vote for Jason Bourgeois.

Just in time for school to start, we are introducing the TMC Anniversary Edition T-Shirt.  The shirt was designed to celebrate the one-year anniversary of The Metal Chapter…and is now available for purchase.  The TMC Anniversary Edition T-Shirt is made from heavy duty 100% Cotton and is available in men’s sizes S through XL ($15) and XXL ($17).  In addition, as part of our ongoing partnership with Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society) and his wife Barbaranne, we will donate $5 of each TMC Anniversary Edition T-Shirt purchase to the Barbaranne & Zakk Wylde/Black Label Society CBT Lab Fund at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

Show your Metal Chapter colors!  Grab a great shirt and support a great cause.  Visit the TMC Merchandise page to order online or pick one up during your next workout.

Last night, TMC family members Jason Bourgeois (Astros) and Chris Young (Diamondbacks) slugged it out in an extra inning affair.  Bourgeois paced the Astros attack with three hits including a triple, but Young gave the D-backs the win with a walk-off 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Keep swingin’ it fellas.  We salute you.

The Metal Chapter is well represented in the professional baseball ranks and we are proud to give a salute to our family members who are tearing it up on pro diamonds across the country.  Not only that, but we want to give you a chance to see where each of them is playing so you can cheer them on as well.

Cliff Archibald – State College Spikes – Short Season A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates

Jason Bourgeois – Houston Astros – Major Leagues

Michael Bourn – Atlanta Braves – Major Leagues

Jared Dyer – Burlington Royals – Rookie affiliate of the Kansas City Royals

Paul Janish – Cincinnati Reds – Major Leagues

Chase Lambin – Rochester Red Wings – AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins

Roy Merritt – Binghamton Mets – AA affiliate of the New York Mets

Nick Stavinoha – Memphis Redbirds – AAA affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals

Chris Young – Arizona Diamondbacks – Major Leagues

Many times freshmen at NCAA Division I schools go through some growing pains before coming into their own.  So much for that trend.  A couple members of our Metal Chapter family have wasted no time in making major contributions to their respective teams.

Taylor Brown has burst onto the scene at Southern Miss.  The former Cy Springs standout is lighting up opposing pitchers for the Golden Eagles softball team.  Through 15 games, Taylor boasts a .351 batting average with a team-leading 6 doubles.

Speaking of making a mark (or should I say leaving a mark), Metal Chapter family member and University of Arkansas freshman catcher, Jake Wise registered his first collegiate hit and RBI last night and helped pace the Razorbacks to an 8-3 victory over McNeese State.  Wise, a Cy Falls graduate, lined a bullet off the pitcher’s leg that caromed into right field.  Something tells me that the McNeese State pitcher is wearing a nice souvenir of Jake’s first hit on his leg.

We salute you!

The 4th of July is still several months away, but Metal Chapter family member John Longoria got the fireworks display started last weekend.  Longoria, a 6′ 1″ 215 lb. junior outfielder at University of Houston-Victoria launched a personal assault on the competition.  During a Saturday double-header, Longoria blasted a homerun in each game and finished the day 4 for 8 with 2 bombs, a double, and 6 RBI.

We salute you!