The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of training using the Howse III Speed System versus traditional plyometric training in developing speed, strength and power in college age athletes. Twenty-two Division I, collegiate baseball and softball athletes (7 young women and 15 young men) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: experimental group - Plyometric (Plyo, N=9), experimental group - Speed System (SpS, N=7), or a control group (Con, N=6). Throughout the study all subjects engaged in fall workout programs for baseball and softball that included weight training and traditional skill development. The only deviation in training programs was that Plyo engaged in additional plyometric training two days per week and SpS engaged in additional ballistic training (utilizing the Howse III speed system) two days per week during the four-week experimental period. Pre- and post-test measurements included total body weight (TBW), sum of skin folds (SS), thigh circumference (TC), hip circumference (HC), 36.6-meter speed (SP), isometric knee extension strength (STR), and Margarita-Kalaman power test (PWR). Results indicated that SpS and Plyo significantly improved speed over the four-week period, with the greatest improvement noted in SpS. Speed was improved in Con, but the improvement was not statistically significant. Similar results occurred in PWR with Plyo showing the greatest improvement. Con improved in PWR, but again the change was not significant. Statistically positive changes were observed in STR in all three groups. There were no significant changes in anthropometric measurements noted in any of the groups. Several conclusions were drawn for the results of this study. First, it is apparent that the addition of a new training modality (plyometrics and or Howse III Speed System) can stimulate significant improvements in speed and power in as little as four weeks. Second, the specificity principle of training is an important component of training. This is substantiated in that SpS showed a greater improvement in SP, whereas Plyo showed a greater improvement in PWR. Third, it is logical to assume that noted changes in SP, PWR, and STR over the four-week period were the result of neurological adaptation as appose to muscular adaptation since there were no statistically significant changes in anthropometric measurements.