When you walk into Diesel Sports Complex in Cranberry Township, you may hear the thump of a weighted sled on turf, the rhythm of a pitching machine, or the quiet focus of an athlete working through footwork drills. What you’ll really feel, though, is something harder to define: intentionality.
“This place exists to give kids what many of us didn’t get until later in life,” said owner Matt Diesel, sitting inside the 24/7 facility built around turf lanes, hitting cages, skill studios, and a fast-growing sports performance program. “We want to help athletes get better today than they were yesterday—physically, mentally, and as people.”
Diesel Sports Complex (DSC) is more than a batting cage hub or strength gym. It represents a broader vision: a unified space where athletes develop their bodies, skills, mindset, and leadership abilities all under one roof. “Sports are what we do, not who we are,” Diesel said.
From Hampton to Duquesne to Diesel: A 20-Year Journey
Diesel grew up in Pittsburgh, starred at Hampton High School, and earned a spot on Duquesne University’s Division I baseball roster. But his path was shaped just as much by what he didn’t have.
“When I played college ball, we trained 80% of the time and played 20%,” he said. “Kids today play 80% and train 20%. We’re trying to flip that.”
While playing, Diesel coached travel baseball and found his passion in instruction—especially the mental side. Over 15+ years running travel programs, he watched youth sports shift from development to tournament-chasing.
“Travel sports became watered down,” he said. “We want kids to fall in love with the process—but they must know what that means.”
A Coach Who Complements the Mission
That focus on development—not hype—is exactly what drew performance coach Zach Liebman to DSC. Liebman’s background is unconventional: two decades of studying fitness, nutrition, and personal transformation rather than a traditional collegiate exercise science path.
“I’ve spent most of my adult life coaching different sports for different ages,” Liebman said. “My philosophy aligns perfectly with Matt’s. We’re not just developing athletes—we’re developing people.”
Liebman runs DSC’s growing sports performance program and brings a holistic approach rooted in physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
“Sports may not always lead to college or the pros,” he said. “But when we train the physical, spiritual, and emotional sides of a young person, we’re shaping leaders—not just competitors.”
Building a Facility—and a Philosophy
Diesel Sports Complex began as a simple idea: build a place where athletes can train with purpose. The buildout was anything but simple.
Diesel took two SBA loans, navigated variable interest rates, and completely rebuilt the property over three years. The indoor complex opened in 2022; outdoor components followed in 2023.
Today DSC offers:
– 24/7 memberships with facial-recognition entry
– Sports performance & strength training
– Baseball/softball skill instruction
– Soccer programs (including Pittsburgh Riverhounds partnership)
– Football training
– Adult fitness
– Mental game & mindset classes
And membership continues to grow.
The Gap Diesel Wants to Fill
If you ask Diesel what problem he’s solving, he doesn’t hesitate.
“Weekends used to be for family, faith, or rest,” he said. “Now families spend all weekend at tournaments. Kids are burnt out; parents overwhelmed.”
He believes the future lies in:
– Training more, playing less
– Investing in coaches
– Educating parents
– Teaching mental toughness early
“Kids today have more distractions than ever,” Diesel said. “Commitment is saying yes when the feeling is gone.”
What Zach Sees in Today’s Athletes
Liebman sees similar challenges from the performance side. Poor movement patterns. Weak foundational strength. Limited mobility. Too much focus on sport-specific skills and not enough on overall athleticism.
“Young athletes need movement quality, body control, discipline, and confidence,” he said. “Training isn’t just reps—it’s character and consistency.”
His philosophy: build the athlete first, then build the performance.
To address the gaps, Liebman’s programming focuses on mechanics, foundational strength, coordination, and leadership development. His sessions include mentorship and accountability—components he believes are missing elsewhere.
Holistic Training in Action
DSC offers group classes, private training, development tracks by age, and adult fitness. But what makes Liebman’s work unique is the integration of physical and spiritual development.
Every other Saturday, he leads **Iron & Identity**, a free event mixing training, cold plunges, and Bible study.
“Athletes aren’t just training—they’re being mentored and Lifted-Up,” he said.
He shared a recent example: a 17-year-old athlete deadlifting 425 pounds after months of early-morning sessions.
“These kids train at 5 a.m.,” he said. “Just showing up builds mental toughness that will serve them the rest of their lives.”
Safety and Confidence
Liebman stresses that development must be challenging but never reckless. “Safety begins with proper assessment and teaching mechanics before loading anything,” he said. “When athletes feel safe and supported, they push their limits with confidence.”
Why Mental Training Matters More Than Ever
If there’s one area Diesel is unapologetically passionate about, it’s the mindset component.
“The mental game is the toughest piece, and kids usually don’t believe in it until they’re struggling,” he said. “If you can wire them earlier, they’ll be better athletes and better people.”
He shares a favorite analogy:
“Anybody can count the number of seeds in an apple. But can you count the number of apples in a seed? That’s coaching. We’re trying to draw out potential that even the athlete can’t see yet.”
Convenience Matters, Too
Located between Routes 19 and 79 — just minutes from the Turnpike — DSC is intentionally accessible.
“We’re about five minutes from everything,” Diesel said. “And about 12 minutes from Seneca Valley High School — but that’s because the school sits way out there, so we’ll blame them,” he joked.
The facility operates with a simple promise: high-quality training that families can afford.
“We want to bring the cost of youth sports back down. Some families were spending $8,000 to $10,000 a year between travel teams and tournaments. You don’t need that to develop talent.”
DSC offers training packages and memberships that are intentionally budget-friendly, planning for potential economic downturns and long-term accessibility.
A Place Built for Today’s Athlete — and Tomorrow’s
Diesel sees today’s sports landscape changing rapidly — from NIL deals to social media highlight reels to sports betting creeping into younger circles.
“It’s a great time to be a student-athlete, but also a difficult time,” he said. “Families are starving for wisdom and drowning in information. They just need someone to guide them.”
- That’s what he hopes Diesel Sports Complex becomes: not just a gym, but a guidepost.
- A place where athletes train with purpose.
- A place where families find balance.
- A place where coaches build futures.
- A place where potential gets unlocked — one rep, one moment, one lesson at a time.