263 Gretas Way Kernersville, NC 27284

OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
Monday - Friday: 4pm - 9pm
Saturday: 9am - 3pm
Sunday: Closed

LEARN MORE ABOUT US AND GET ANSWERS TO THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

About Us & Staff & FAQ

At DXT, we take pride in providing quality year-round practice facilities and individualized training for baseball and softball student-athletes through our knowledgeable staff in a fun atmosphere. We offer student-athletes of all skill levels a chance to strengthen their skills and their love for the game.

PAUL BRANNON, Ed.D

(Co-Founder)

Paul played high school baseball at Kings Mountain Senior High School from 1988-1990. During his three years there, he was a three-time all conference performer, two-time all-state performer, and led his team to the 1989 NC 3A Baseball State Championship where he garnered MVP of the series. Paul also was named the 3A Athlete of the Year in 1989, Conference Player of the Year and the NC State Baseball Player of the Year in 1990. While in high school, Paul set numerous state records for home runs, RBIs, and was ranked 7th in the United States with 41 career homeruns at the time of his graduation from Kings Mountain. He still holds the NC single season record for homeruns as he hit 20 in 30 games during the 1989 season including a then state record of homeruns in 8 consecutive games.

After graduating from high school, Paul had signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Wake Forest University, but he decided to forgo college after being selected in the 4th round of the 1990 June Amateur draft by the Seattle Mariners. Paul enjoyed a great first season in Rookie Ball and ended the season ranked the #8 prospect in the Complex Leagues by Baseball America. However, an elbow injury sustained during Instructional League that year plagued Paul for the rest of his time with the Mariners and he retired early in 1993.

Since that time, Paul has coached baseball at the youth, middle school, and high school levels as well as girl’s fastpitch softball at the middle and high school level. His teams have experienced success at all levels and have always been very good offensive teams that can put runs on the board!

Beyond coaching and playing, Paul has experienced tremendous success in his career as an educator. He has been a teacher, assistant principal, middle and high school principal, and an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. His postgraduate work in education includes a Master’s in School Administration and Doctorate in Educational Leadership. It is this that makes him a unique coach that can assist perspective student-athletes in the educational and athletic arena simultaneously.

Paul lives in the Kernersville area with his wife, Tina and son, Brooks.

DAVID CARICO

(Co-Founder)

David Carico was born in Winston Salem and graduated from South Stokes High School in 1989. David grew up playing soccer and baseball through Middle and High School, as well as playing left fullback in soccer. He graduated from Appalachian State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. He worked for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company until joining his father at Triad Crane. In 2001, he began Carolina Hoist (crane business) in the Triad. Soon after, he began another successful business in the steel erection industry called Beam Heavers, Inc.

David has participated in sports his entire life. He coached teams within Kernersville Little League while his children were young. He then moved to being a coach of multiple travel ball teams (Kernersville Warriors, Surge, and the Carolina Diamond Dawgs) with his youngest son Michael Carico. He watched his son from the stands for the showcase team – The Carolina Rockies.

David recognizes the importance of creating a unique training environment to maximize athletic potential and help each athlete understand what he/she needs to do to get better. He focuses on an athlete’s individual technique to improve their overall athletic efficiency, reducing the chance of injury while providing a positive mentoring relationship that helps the athlete learn what it takes to be successful.

David is married to Brenda Carico and they have four children – Zack, Lily, Madi and Michael. Brenda spent her early years with Wachovia Bank and has been the Financial Administrator/CFO of The Summit Church for the past ten years.

Amber Smith

Amber was a softball standout at Starmount High School earning All-Conference, All-District, and All-State her senior year. She continued her career collegiately at Averett University and Montreat College. She graduated from Montreat with a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science. She remains active in the softball community coaching a youth travel team. Amber provides hitting and pitching lessons.

Breanna Butcher

Breanna (Bre) played softball, volleyball, and ran indoor track at Walkertown High School earning All-Conference, All-Tournament, and MVP in softball all four years. She went on to play collegiately as a utility player for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Spanish in 2021. While at UNCG, she was a part of three SoCon Regular Season Championships and two SoCon Tournament Championships, also making two NCAA regional appearances.

Bre is currently pursuing her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Winston-Salem State University and remains active in the softball community through coaching at her high school. With many years of coaching and a variety of playing experience, Bre is well equipped to provide catching, hitting, and fielding instruction.

CARLEIGH NESTER

Carleigh was a softball and volleyball standout at East Forsyth High School where she was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame. She continued her softball career at Elon University as a Lefty-Briggs Scholarship recipient. Carleigh experienced much success during her four years at Elon leaving with five records. She is well equipped to teach hitting, fielding, base running and basic pitching mechanics.

CAYLA CECIL

Cayla is a graduate of Wesleyan Christian Academy where she received All State and All Conference honors all four years. Cayla was also named Conference Player of the Year her freshman, sophomore, and senior years. After high school, Cayla continued her softball pitching career at Tusculum University in Greenville, TN where she earned a degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Cayla remains active in the softball community and provides pitching lessons at DXT.

CHELSEA LEONARD

Chelsea was a softball standout at Central Davidson High School and went on to pitch collegiately at the University of Louisville. In 2012, she helped to guide the Cardinals to the Big East Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth. She recorded an 11-2 overall record and led the NCAA with 12 saves, which stands at third place on the all-time college softball record list.

Since graduating from Louisville with a degree in heath and human performance with a concentration in exercise science, Chelsea has served as the pitching coach for the University of Pittsburgh and Georgia Southern. In addition, she was an assistant coach at Bellarmine University and has worked numerous clinics across the country.

Chelsea is currently pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy.

CHRIS JACOBS

Chris was drafted by the LA Dodgers in 2007 after graduating from Glenn High school. He played Triple A with the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox and played internationally. Chris is trained as a professional scout and versed in player development and evaluation. He is currently the USA Baseball hitting coach for the Pulaski River Turtles. Chris offers lessons in hitting and fielding.

GAGE WHITE

Gage is an Army Veteran and a graduate of Providence Grove High School where he was a four year letterman in varsity baseball. He continued his catching career at Pfieffer University and Guilford Technical Community College. Gage works with athletes of all ages specializing in catching and hitting.

GWEN JOHNSON

Gwen has 10 years of experience providing hitting and fielding lessons for fast pitch softball players throughout the Triad. She played college softball at Louisburg College and UNCG. Her hitting instruction includes, but is not limited to, a linear style of hitting with a rotational finish; however, this also depends on the kid, their strength and learning curve. Gwen is focused on helping each player reach their individual goals.

JAKE SMITH

A Greensboro native and a 2002 graduate of Southern Guilford High School, Jake was a four year letterman at catcher for Coach Charlie Gamble. Smith received All-State, All-Area, and Conference Player of the year during his high school career.

He attended East Carolina University from 2002-2006 where he was named to the 2003 Conference USA All-Freshman team and a Louisville Slugger freshman All-American. Jake finished his college career with 29 homeruns and 135 RBIs, which ranks in the top 12 on ECU’s all time charts.

In 2006, following his senior year at ECU, Jake received the Johnny Bench award, which is given to the nation’s top catcher and went on to continue his baseball career after being selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round. He went on to play three seasons with the A’s, retiring due to a shoulder injury in 2009.

After a stellar baseball career, Coach Jake Smith is now involved in high school sports as head baseball coach for the Randleman Tigers.

JEFF GREENE

Prior to his time with the Braves, Tim pitched for the University of Toledo from 1983-1985. He was an All-Mac 1st team selection and All-Regional First Team selection in 1984. During the 1984 Summer Cape Cod League, Tim played for the Falmouth Commodores where he made the All Star Team and pitched against the 1984 US Olympic Baseball Team.

Jeff has also served as the pitching coach for the University of Toledo during the 1989-1990 season. He then moved to NC and founded the Triad Bulls Showcase program serving as head coach as well. Jeff has provided pitching lessons for the past fifteen years.

JEREMY NEYRA

Jeremy Neyra, originally from Miami, Florida, is a former Division 1 shortstop that played at Hialeah High School where he was a 2-time All-State selection. From there, he went on to a successful junior college career and earned a scholarship to Missouri State University before transferring to High Point University.

While at High Point University, he was named to the All Big South team during his senior year. Jeremy has gone on to work with all ages of travel ball players from 9u to High School Showcase. He loves working with kids and seeing them improve. He specializes in working with infielders and hitters.

Kendall Kennedy

Kendall, originally from upstate NY, graduated from SUNY Cortland with a B.S. degree in Exercise Science. She was a member of the softball team as a left handed pitcher and utility player known as a slap and power hitter. She is attending High Point University in pursuit of her Doctorate in Physical Therapy.

Kendall remains active in the softball community and provides pitching lessons at DXT.

MALLORY FLETCHER

Mallory was a softball standout at Metrolina Christian Academy in Charlotte, NC where she received numerous All-State and All-Conference honors. She holds several school records including best ERA and most strikeouts. She went on to pitch collegiately at Western Carolina University where she earned a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Mallory remains active in the softball community and provides pitching and fielding lessons at DXT.

Mark Estes

Mark, originally from Mauldin, SC, is a recent graduate of Clemson University. Before Clemson, Mark attended Saint Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville, SC, where he won back-to-back state titles. Mark was named to the all-region and all-state team his junior and senior year. After high school, Mark walked on to the Clemson University baseball team as a catcher and graduated with a degree in Graphic Communications. At Clemson, Mark discovered his true passion and love for the game! He wants to give back to the game by using his knowledge and experiences to help young athletes achieve their goals the way his coaches helped him. Mark also has a popular TikTok account with over 30,000 followers. On his account, “@Markisboltron,” Mark makes lighthearted baseball related content to show that baseball is meant to be fun!

Mark works with catchers and hitters. He focuses on working hard and developing a strong love for the game of baseball and softball.

Matt White

Matt is a 23-year U.S. Army veteran and brings over 15 years of coaching experience to DXT. He has coached baseball at all levels ranging from youth to college, including serving as the Officer Representative (e.g., recruiting coordinator) for West Point Baseball. Matt is currently an assistant coach at Randleman High School and offers lessons in hitting, pitching and catching.

MIKE SMITH

Mike brings over 30 years of coaching experience to DXT. He spent the better part of 14 years playing Semi-Pro baseball and has coached many high performing teams and players. In 2007, he coached the 13u Division 1 National Champions and has also served as an Assistant Coach for High Point Christian Academy.

FAQs – Get Your Answers Here, Email or Call Us

Info@TeamDXT.com / 336-310-4335

Who can use Diamond Xtreme Training?

Any youth or adult baseball/softball player. The facility can also be used for team practices, umpire training, coaches meetings, open gym, open hitting, evaluations and other uses for local youth associations.

Is this facility for traveling baseball/softball players only?

No.

How does the membership cost compare to other cage rental opportunities?

Membership rates are less than the non-member rates. Members will also receive preferential placement in any camps/clinics offered.

Are there discounts available for families with more than one player?

Yes. Please contact us for more information.

What equipment will be available for member use at the facility?

The facility includes the artificial turf, the netting, a bucket of balls, an L-screen, batting tees, and limited use of pitching machines (must have training to use machines or if a staff member is available, they can assist). The player will need to supply their own gear including tennis shoes/turf shoes (no cleats), glove, bat (we will have a few old bats as well as demos for people to use), and any other materials they choose to work with that fits within the facility guidelines.

What type of training will be offered at the training center?

Lessons offered will include hitting, pitching, fielding, catching, arm care, performance sports training, subject specific academic tutoring, ACT/SAT prep, as well as college selection and post-secondary academic advising.

How often do you offer Camps or Clinics?

DXT offers Camps and Clinics throughout the year. We offer camps during the following times of the year: Summer Camps, Thanksgiving, and Winter Holidays. Check the website regularly for updates.

When are private lessons offered?

Private Lessons are offered during normal business hours. Please call to check the availability for specific instructors or take advantage of our online scheduling software located here.

How do I schedule a private lesson?

All private lessons are by appointment only and can be scheduled over the phone, at our website, or in the facility. Payment is expected prior to or at time of lesson.

Do you have to set up an appointment to hit balls off the machines?

No. Rounds of hitting off of our pitching machines are on a first come first serve basis. No reservations.

Can a team rent out cages?

Yes. We do rent out cages to teams. Must call in advance to reserve a date and time. We can also customize an indoor practice for you that includes: use of cages, pitching lanes, indoor practice field, and Athletic Republic sports performance instruction.

If I sign up for a membership do I have to sign a contract?

NO ANNUAL CONTRACTS required. All of our monthly memberships require just a 30-day written notice of cancellation.