About Us / Mission & Vision

Why The Lab exists.

The mission, vision and purpose behind The Lab, and the founder who built it.

Lab coaches and athletes in Lab shirts in front of The Power Lab sign

Our Mission

To provide athletes with a comprehensive, results-driven training experience that combines expert instruction, cutting-edge technology, personalized development, and a positive, competitive environment.

Through our integrated approach to hitting, pitching, strength and conditioning, recovery, and athletic development, we empower athletes to train smarter, measure their progress, and achieve their goals.

Our mission is to make elite-level training and resources accessible to athletes at every stage of their journey, from aspiring youth players to collegiate and professional athletes.

Our Vision

To become the most trusted and innovative baseball and softball performance training destination, setting a new standard for athlete development by bringing world-class coaching, advanced technology, strength and conditioning, and recovery together under one roof.

We envision a place where athletes of all ages and abilities are inspired to push their limits, build confidence, and realize their full potential, both on and off the field.

Our Purpose

To inspire, develop, and empower the next generation of athletes.

We believe every athlete deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, regardless of their current skill level or where they are in their athletic journey.

The Lab was created to bridge the gap between traditional sports training and comprehensive athlete development, providing the coaching, technology, resources, and mentorship necessary to help athletes succeed.

We are more than a training facility. We are a community committed to developing stronger athletes, building character, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the game.

Train. Track. Transform.

Train
Elite coaching, strength, skills, and performance development.
Track
Measurable progress using advanced technology and individualized performance assessments.
Transform
Helping athletes improve their performance, confidence, discipline, and opportunities for the future.

Lab coaches, staff and athletes in Lab shirts lined up across the indoor court

Dave Waco’s dad giving two thumbs up in a Lab cap and shirt in front of The Lab’s video wall

Founder & President

Dave Waco

Former Professional Baseball Player | Coach | Entrepreneur | Youth Sports Advocate

With more than 30 years of experience in baseball, softball, coaching, and youth sports development, Dave Waco has dedicated much of his life to creating opportunities for athletes to learn, compete, and achieve their goals.

A former collegiate baseball standout at UC Santa Barbara, where he earned All-League honors, Dave went on to play professional baseball in the California Angels and Philadelphia Phillies organizations from 1993 to 1997.

In 1995, Dave founded the Valley All-Stars Baseball Academy, bringing together former professional players to mentor and develop young athletes throughout the Los Angeles area. That experience sparked a lifelong commitment to building programs that combine high-level instruction, competition, mentorship, and personal growth.

Over the following three decades, Dave founded and helped develop numerous baseball and softball organizations, including the Encino-Sherman Oaks Girls Community Softball League (ESO), Shockers Girls Softball Club, 365 Athletics, Top Prospect Athletics (TPA), and the nonprofit Play Now Foundation. Through these organizations, he has helped create opportunities for thousands of young athletes to develop their skills, compete at higher levels, and pursue collegiate athletic opportunities.

Building on that experience, Dave founded The Lab – Full Spectrum Training Complex, bringing his long-standing vision for comprehensive athlete development to life.

Dave’s vision is to provide athletes of all ages and skill levels with access to the same caliber of coaching, technology, and development resources available to elite collegiate and professional athletes.

For Dave, The Lab is more than a state-of-the-art training facility. It represents the culmination of decades spent coaching, mentoring, and creating opportunities for young athletes throughout Southern California.

His philosophy remains simple: Give athletes the tools, guidance, and opportunities to become the best version of themselves, both on and off the field.