The Alpha Project gives locals a taste of the big leagues

Salinas native Paul Cater is the owner and founder of the Alpha Project, a sports performance center in Monterey.

“We’re trying to give these athletes a platform to succeed which i think previously they didn’t have that,” says Cater.

Alpha serves athletes of all ages.

“Starting from young kids to teaching them how to move correctly to trying to prolong an aging athletes career,” says Cater.

As head trainer of the alpha project, Cater brings years of experience with the pros, including his current job as strength and conditioning coach for the Baltimore Orioles.

“I remember coming home from Europe not really knowing what i was going to do and then 6, 7 months later, we were playing the Yankees in a playoff game,” says Cater.

He’s more than just a strength coach for the team…

“I’ve kind of played a lot of the comic relief in the clubhouse when I’m there. We have a really cool team, and hopefully we’re gonna do well,” says Cater.

Before joining the Orioles five years ago, Cater says while in Europe with rugby and soccer teams, he learned entirely new ways to train athletes.

“So taking what I’ve learned all over the world and even what I’m currently learning and doing at the Major League Baseball level and bringing it here and giving it as a resource to people,” says Cater.

And Central Coast athletes are benefiting.

“Everything we do at the major league level, we come in and do with our high schoolers,” says Cater.

The Salinas High grad started the Alpha Project in 2012 to get the most out of local athletes.

“How do we get this place on the map, with the athletes here who may get their foot in the door but then get beat by other competition who are better prepared,” says Cater.

And whether he’s training the pros or a local high schooler, Paul credits his roots.

“Proud to be in this community, and I’m proud when i go out of this community to say I’m from the Central Coast, but I hope we’ll have a good year with the Orioles but I’ll always have Alpha Project to come back here and be proud of building your athletes here,” says Cater.

To find out more about the Alpha Project, visit http://alphasportscience.com/