"After playing the game at
all levels and coaching most age groups, I didn't think
there was much left I could learn about teaching the game of
baseball. Dave Christianson and Rip City proved me wrong. If we had not chosen to send our two
sons, Chad and Collin, for the 8 week program on hitting and
pitching, it would have been a lost opportunity to help them
become better players. Dave and his staff are knowledgeable,
friendly and current in their teaching strategies. We would
not hesitate to enroll them again for any of the training
sessions and know that it would be money well spent. In
addition to speeding up the child's learning curve,
instruction occurs in a way parents can comprehend it and
take those skills home for children to use in practice
sessions in the basement or backyard. In my opinion, Rip
City is a must for any aspiring young baseball player who
truly wants to speed up improvement. Thanks again.~Mr. Sandy Hill -
Bonsack, Va.
"My son Alan(17) has
always loved baseball. I taught him everything I could and
when he was in 8th grade and he expressed interest in trying
out for the JV baseball team, I realized I needed to get him
a higher level of instruction. His first major goal was to
make and start for the JV baseball team as an 8th grader. He
felt his hitting would be a major factor so we enrolled him
in the Rip City Off Season Hitting Camp. For the past 5
years now he has attended the Rip City Hitting Camps and has
improved his hitting significantly every year as he
continues to study the art of hitting. That 8th grade season
he not only made the team but started and hit .454 as an 8th
grader! He has been a top performer on his high school
baseball team hitting over .400 4 out of the last 5 seasons
and led his high school team to the stat championship in
2004! Through your instruction, he has gained great
confidence in himself as a player and as a person! He is now
in the midst of the college recruiting process and his goal
is to play college baseball. Thank you again for all you
have done to teach and encourage Alan! He highly respects
you guys!"
~Paul Moore -
Roanoke, Va.
"Our 2 sons, Andrew
and Luke have played alot of baseball in the Roanoke
Valley. They both participate in Rip City Camps and
Instructional Programs and we think very highly of Dave
Christianson's knowledge of the game as well as his ability
to impart that knowledge through instructing and coaching.
When our older son transferred from one high school to
another, he had the choice to also transfer to another
American Legion Baseball Team from the Team Dave manages and
there was no question we would do whatever we could to keep
him on Dave's Team! You would be hard pressed to find a a
finer coach and person not only in the our valley, but
anywhere."~Karen and John
Feldenzer - Roanoke, Va.
"As a dad, a coach, and a
former college baseball players, I passed my baseball
knowledge on to my son and have helped him become a very
good high school baseball payer. Dave Christianson has
helped him become even better! In my opinion there is no
better instruction for a ball player then to be trained by
Coach Christianson!"~Ken Sobelewski -
Vinton, Va.
"I wanted to thank
you again for all the coaching and mentoring you have done
for our son, Brett, over the years. The traveling teams he
played on and his high school play were greatly enhanced by
Rip City Training. The training he received from Rip City
was always on a Professional Grade and was Always Custom
Fitted for his Age Group and Skill Level. He always had fun
learning and could not wait for practice and games. He also
had a Deep Respect for Dave Christianson and all the Rip
/city Coaches. They took a genuine interest in Brett as an
individual and treated him as family. This was true for all
the guys and girls I saw at Rip City. Brett gained a
tremendous amount of Baseball knowledge and skills from Rip
city. But he gain something much bore. He gained a lifetime
respect for the game and a true sense of sportsmanship. The
lessons he has learned go far beyond the baseball field.
Thank you Dave Christianson and Rip City. The memories and
training you gave our son are priceless!"~Neil and Rosemary
Stamper - Newcastle, Va.
"I just wanted to let you
know that my 12 year old son, Luke, has pitched only 1
inning before going to Rip City. Due to dedication and hard
work, Luke has excelled in pitching this year! He has good
mechanics, throws in the upper 50's and after 8 games has an
ERA of 2.5! Luke and I would like to say thank you to you
and your staff for being so helpful in Luke's success. Rip
City is the best! We will see you again after the season!"~Howie Phillips -
Radford, Va.
"Dave Christianson was the
single most positive influence for both of my sons in their
baseball development. Through individual and group
instruction at Rip City and participation in his fall and
spring showcase traveling teams, Dave gave them a solid
foundation of technique, training, and knowledge drawing
from his professional career as a player. Beyond that, Dave
was an amazing role model and mentor as a coach to both
Jacob and Noah as they each played four seasons or more on
his American Legion Team. Jacob became a student of hitting
at Rip city. Jacob played at the University of Mary
Washington - a top 25 Division III team. Noah also had great
success with hitting and pitching instruction from Rip
City. He just finished his second year playing at Roanoke
College as a two year starter. Working with Dave and Rip
City is an investment that will bring a return in baseball
results on the field as well as character and confidence off
the field."~Dan Davidson - Salem,
Va.