Parent Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

There’s so much to baseball that it can get overwhelming. As new baseball parents who’s child started rec ball when he was 8, we knew he was behind in travel ball. We learned about Dustin Harrington through one of the Heat baseball teams. That was almost one year ago. We will never forget Bradley’s first batting lesson in less than 5 minutes Dustin could see what was wrong with his batting. Dustin explained all the mechanical and physical hitting techniques for Bradley to understand. Dustin is very knowledgeable in baseball, he builds relationships with his athletes, and he genuinely cares for each young athlete. Not only does Bradley get hitting lessons but also fielding lessons. Bradley has sent a “few” over the fence and we have to give a big thank you to Dustin who instilled the confidence back in our athlete. We could not do this baseball journey without Dustin Harrington and the Heat Organization. It is very important to have the correct techniques when pitching. We never hesitated on investing in pitching lessons with Patrick Johnson. We wanted the correct techniques to get the speed and accuracy, but most importantly we do not want arm injuries down the road. My first impression of Patrick is how he interacted with Bradley by calling him “Z” for his last name. I could see the confidence as a pitcher coming from my son. Patrick teaches the correct pitching but he also makes it fun and relaxed. We are very thankful for Patrick and Dustin. I’m very passionate and heartfelt when I say this is the best instructors and facility that athletes could go to. Parents we would do anything for our children and the investment has been well spent. I have never second guessed if I am doing the right thing for my son, I know I am by going to the Heat Organization.

Butch Zadlo/ Bradley Zadlo 10u

5/13/2021

My son Eli Thomas has played baseball since he was 4 years old. He was 9 when we first met Dustin Harrington and has been training with him for over six months now. Eli is now 10 years old and is playing for Dustins Five Star Heat 11u Gardiner team. As a parent and coach of many of my sons previous teams I can truly say that the Heat program is the best baseball experience we have ever been a part of. Dustin and his staff have excellent character and knowledge. They are able to teach in a way that children understand and enjoy. They love the game and it shows.

Character, Learning, Determination, Drive, Work Ethic, and Love For The Game are taught here!

Go Heat!

TESTIMONIALS

There’s so much to baseball that it can get overwhelming. As new baseball parents who’s child started rec ball when he was 8, we knew he was behind in travel ball. We learned about Dustin Harrington through one of the Heat baseball teams. That was almost one year ago. We will never forget Bradley’s first batting lesson in less than 5 minutes Dustin could see what was wrong with his batting. Dustin explained all the mechanical and physical hitting techniques for Bradley to understand. Dustin is very knowledgeable in baseball, he builds relationships with his athletes, and he genuinely cares for each young athlete. Not only does Bradley get hitting lessons but also fielding lessons. Bradley has sent a “few” over the fence and we have to give a big thank you to Dustin who instilled the confidence back in our athlete. We could not do this baseball journey without Dustin Harrington and the Heat Organization. It is very important to have the correct techniques when pitching. We are very thankful for Dustin. I’m very passionate and heartfelt when I say this is the best instructors and facility that athletes could go to. Parents we would do anything for our children and the investment has been well spent. I have never second guessed if I am doing the right thing for my son, I know I am by going to the Heat Organization.

Butch Zadlo/ Bradley Zadlo 10u

5/13/2021

Ryan Thomas/ Eli Thomas/ 5/18/2021

Our journey started about 3 years ago when Cooper was cut from a local Optimist All-Star Team. He was a good player because he was a good athlete. He told me he was ready to commit to being a better baseball player and asked to go to the Hickory Heat. I wasn’t sure who they were, but that decision literally changed everything!

We met Dustin Harrington at his Heat Facility and explained our situation and got an honest evaluation - big, strong kid with potential but work needed! We used to call him Bambi because there were times he looked like a baby deer. We signed up for a package of lessons and work religiously with Dustin on all facets of the game. During the first couple of months of working out with Dustin, Cooper got cut on 2 travel ball tryouts until he finally earned a spot on a team and played his 9U season. At the end of that season, both coaches that cut him called and invited him to play 10U. One coach asked why he didn’t tryout last season and the other said that he 'thinks he cut Cooper' during the last tryout. He was literally a different player - transformed to the point that he was unrecognizable to coaches that saw him play 6 months prior.

I detail those trials and tribulations to show what hard work and great instruction can do, along with the positive, Christian values that Dustin lives by. He took him from a 'project' and helped make him into a 'player'! He provided Coop with a solid base of fundamental skills, and built on those skills to break thru ceilings and measure improvements with the latest technology available at his facility.

We finally came 'home' and have been playing on one of Dustin's in house travel teams and could not be happier. Cooper makes sure I have lessons booked every month and we see him all the time at the facility, working with kids from all skill levels and we know they've all made the right decision, come to the right place, and will all be better for it.

Chris Morris/ Cooper Morris/ 5/18/2021

My son has taken hitting lessons with Dustin for several months. This spring/summer season, Landon’s batting average has improved a lot. Not only is he more consistent at the plate, but he has more power and a lot more confidence. Dustin is a great coach and role model.

Nicole King/ Landon King/ 5/18/2021

Where do I start with Dustin. He started working with Evan a little over 2 years ago, stressing fundamentals starting with a good strong base from the feet up. When Evan first started out he was having trouble with hitting consistently. Over time with Dustin's knowledge and patience, Evan has became more confident with his hitting. When he is at hitting lessons he can correct and say what he did wrong before Dustin can tell him. He’s a very determined 10 year old and Dustin has helped create a great work ethic with Evan. You can tell Dustin loves his job with kids.
Thanks Dustin for your hard work!!!

Tatum Sigmon/ Evan Sigmon/ 5/18/2021

Dustin is great. My son has been working on batting skills with Dustin for almost 5 years- its been a wonderful experience for our little slugger. Dustin has helped my son to develop and grow into not only a great batter but a well- rounded baseball player. Dustin is passionate about providing the kids he works with a strong skillset and the confidence to step on the field and play their best. Lessons with Dustin are my son's favorite time of the week- he can't wait to return to the vault each week and tell Dustin about the awesome at-bats he had during games played over the weekend.

Kristin Pope/ Trenton Pope/ 5/19/2021

Bryson has been taking lessons from Dustin for the past 3 years. When we started up at the Heat it was referred to us by one of our friends. Bryson had sloppy form to put it nicely. After about 6 months his form was much better but still not where it should be just because of all the bad habits so Dustin decided to have him go lefty which is not natural. Now after MANY lessons he is a natural switch hitter with no hesitation. Even after many years of lessons he still finds something minute to fix that makes him a better athlete. I highly recommend Dustin for hitting instruction no matter what level you are.

Charlie Schmidt/ Bryson Schmidt/ 5/19/2021

We've been with Dustin for 2 years now. He is a great guy, a fantastic coach, and is friends with all his athletes and parents -- it's seen every time we're at his top-notch facility with the smiles and laughing going on! It is obvious how much he cares for the kids and how much he wants to help them become all they can be. We're extremely fortunate to know him and work with him!

The Sheppard Family/ Logan Sheppard/ 5/20/2021

We have been using Dustin’s facility for years for our club team. My daughter, Addie, was already an accomplished softball player and was already recruited but we were looking to sharpen her skills to prepare her for college. Dustin’s playing experience playing middle infield at the highest level of baseball offered us an opportunity to fine tune her performance and man does he deliver! I’m not sure how much experience Dustin had with fast pitch before he started working with Addie, but you couldn’t tell it one way or the other. He developed and adjusted drills for the speed of softball. Since beginning working with Dustin we have seen improvement in her footwork, transfer speed, throwing angles and arm slots, throwing velocity by using her body positioning and of course pop off the bat. Addie is primarily a slapped, and initially Dustin admitted he couldn’t help with that aspect of her game; however, working with her swinging away has not only improved her swing but also added power to her slap game.

We didn’t need Dustin to get Addie recruited, we wanted him to prepare her to compete when she steps on campus and so far, he has exceeded expectations.

Whether your son or daughter is a beginner or an elite player, Dustin’s experience makes him a great tool to help develop kids at all levels of the game.

Highly recommended!

Kenny Wray/ Addie Wray/ 5/25/2021

I can't say enough good things about Dustin and his work with my boys, they love him. We have been with Dustin and his organization for 2 years now. Its no secret that many organization just see $$ when they see these kids, Dustin takes so much of a vested interest in the child themselves, he gets to know them as players and coaches them to their strengths. He doesn't try to change their approach to hitting to make them something they're not and that's very very rare in the travel ball world. Its rare because so many hitting instructors have a cookie cutter formula for how a swing should look, but not Dustin. His lessons are design specifically for your child's swing, because each swing is unique to each kid. He simply helps kids find what they can do well, then take those abilities and grow it. Trust the process it really works..

Beyond just Dustin, his facility, his employees are the best the area has to offer. I can't speak enough for what he has done for my kids, my family and our team. He has become a personal friend and we will be DHB clients for life.

Matt Snider/ Carsen and Cohen Snider/ 5/25/2021

“Dustin not only invested in developing my kid’s swing but invested in developing him mentally. He believed in him and inspired him to be a better overall athlete, losing 30lbs and accomplishing things on a field he once thought he couldn’t. Following his lessons and coaching, Cade has dramatically improved at the plate increasing his BA with 10 HR, and QAB. He has also been recognized as “All tournament hitter” with Perfect game. —Chuck & Holli Coffin

Chuck & Holli Coffin/ Cade Coffin/ 6/3/2021