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10 THE TEMPE REPUBLIC WEEKEND I Tl 3, 2 006 Local baseball skills TV show hits homer SPORTS Jason Heinkel (left) and Jeff Forney have developed a baseball instructional TV show for Fox Sports Network. 'Baseball Player University' What: Instructional baseball television show geared toward all aspects of the game. When: New shows are aired at 5 p.m. Saturday and replayed at all times throughout the week. It is on Fox Sports Network.

Where: Most of the shots are on location at their Gilbert office, Arizona State and other local collegiate and professional training sites. Who: The host is Jeff Forney, a former Triple-A player and strength and conditioning coach for Arizona State and the Contributors: Guests include ASU head coach Pat Murphy, former major leaguers Dave Burba and Andy Stankiewicz. On deck: Download clips at Shows run in half-hour increments. This week's episode will be the sixth of 13. Once all of the first season is shown, Fox Sports will repeat them in order and season 2 should start soon thereafter.

A schedule for repeat shows is listed on the Web site. J2 Media, run by Jason Heinkel and production company for BPU, has also produced shows like ESPN's New American Sportsman and American Justice. JEREMIAH ARMENTATHE REPUBLIC By Jason P. Skoda JASON.SKODAioiARIZONAREPUBLIC.COM Top high school students often take classes at a local community college in preparation for their post high school careers. They are considered ahead of the curve.

Two Gilbert-based companies, Triple Threat Inc. and J2 Media, have melded to do the same for baseball players so they can hit a curve or have the confidence to throw one on a 3-2 count. A local baseball instructional television show, Baseball Player University, has gone national on Fox Sports Network. "We had very modest beginnings," said Jeff Forney, who headed up Triple Threat for more than a decade. "I had these ideas of doing a show and I met with Jason (Heinkel of J2) at IHOP and he assured me it could be done.

"We started filming and buying airtime. It has taken off, and we couldn't be happier about it" The sixth of 13 episodes airs at 5 p.m. today on Fox Sports Network and it will then be repeated throughout the week. After the 13th episode, the station will rerun all of the episodes before sea- There is valuable instruction on all aspects of the game from hitting to pitching to strength and conditions, much of which is provided by former major leaguers Dave Burba and Andy Stankiew-icz, Arizona State head coach Pat Murphy and mental conditioning expert Jim Murphy. The show is designed to help players and coaches of all ages and talent levels.

"Ifs a good balance," Forney said. "Ifs insightful for coaches and player at the high school level and all the way down to Little League. "We offer pro and college drills and explain how to do it the right son two gets under way. They plan on filming season two starting in August "We are going full speed ahead," Heinkel said. "Word is getting out on what a great production and service it is for players of all ages." It has become so popular that viewers have inquired about buying the whole season on DVD even though it hasn't aired yet Forney, a former Triple-A player who has coached professionally and collegiately, is the host of the show, which focuses on specific skills to help amateur players and coaches improve their overall game.

pie would love to have." "If they get anything out of it, I hope they realize it is not just about playing the game," Forney said. "There are life skills to be learned. It can teach you to be so many things, including being humble and gracious. Enjoy the moment because the whole reason to play the game is to have fun." way. It gives them a grasp of how to go about the game the right way." Jane Poston, Heinkel's wife and production assistant, said she believes it gives viewers a chance to be introduced to a high-level of instruction they might not receive otherwise.

"It brings professional training right to them," Poston said. "Ifs access to the pros that most peo- Community News Want more of The Tempe Republic? Hiring Event Do you live in the Southeast Valley and want to work close to home? Don't miss The Arizona Republic Southeast Valley Hiring Event June 7, 2006, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Mesa Holiday Inn 1600 S. Country Club Drive Mesa. AZ 85210 We have immediate openings for multimedia sales and sales support positions.

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