With the Therwil Flyers
Coaching Experience:
2006-07 ~ Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA – Assistant Coach & First Base Coach
2007-08 ~ Bethel University, St. Paul, MN – Head JV Coach & Assistant Varsity Coach (Catchers & First Base Coach)
2008 ~ Therwil Flyers, Switzerland Professional League, Basel, Switzerland – Head Coach & Starting Catcher
Currently ~ Faith Lutheran High School, Las Vegas, NV – Head Coach of Junior Legion team
Playing Experience
2008 ~ Therwil Flyers, Switzerland Professional League, Basel, Switzerland – Catcher
2006 ~ Atlanta Braves, Gulf Coast League, Signed as a Free Agent in June 2006 – Catcher
2003-2006 ~ Chapman University, Orange, CA – National Champions (2003), 3-time DIII World Series participant, Top 10 all-time batting average, Started 2004 as 3rd baseman and 2005-06 as catcher.
1999-2002 ~ R.A. Long High School, Longview, WA
More Info:
For some, resumes speak for themselves. At Chapman, I played for team that won over 75% of the time in 4 years. Under the tutelage of head coach Tom Tereschuk, I learned the invaluable lessons of hard work, tenacity, overcoming adversity, and the desire it takes to win. I learned how to win as evidenced by the fact we went to the World Series three times in four years.
As the top assistant coach at Vanguard University, I coached under head coach Scott Mallernee, who previously was an assistant at the University of Michigan. Under his leadership, I learned the invaluable lessons of life development and character before all else.
As an assistant coach at Bethel University, I coached under head coach Greg Indlecoffer. “Indo” is one of the greatest men I’ve ever known and is fully committed to shaping boys into men before all else. He is a “man’s man” and implements many of the same thoughts into his coaching.
As the head coach of the Therwil Flyers, I learned how to lead a team of men older than me. This is the Swiss Pro Leagues. I was given the reigns and instructed to lead the 18 men (many of whom were over 28 years old). We finished 18-2, the best record in the league, and unfortunately lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Currently, I’m serving as the head Junior Legion coach at Faith Lutheran. Life took me from Minnesota to Las Vegas in October 2008, so I was still in the process of setting my feet down before coaching again. Besides coaching, I am the Director of Youth Ministries at Community Lutheran Church in Las Vegas and go to graduate school part-time. I am married to my best friend and the most beautiful and fun woman in the world: Emily. And we have a new puppy named Bear.
I desire to instruct boys and young men in the game of baseball because it’s the most brilliant and beautiful game in the world. Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I could walk. Now, I want to pass along the things many talented coaches, players, and mentors have given to me. Most importantly, I want to forge a time for the development of skills beyond simply baseball technique. I believe this is what will separate and give innovation to Baseball & Beyond. For too long, I’ve seen many baseball instructors rip people off with half-hearted lessons on baseball.
Baseball & Beyond will not cheat anyone out of their time and money.
Beyond a specifically tailored analysis and lesson plan designed for the PLAYER, a lesson with me will include the following: Character development, work ethic encouragement, goal setting and achieving, and emotional development. Beyond simply lessons and conversation, I will provide players with weekly “assignments” on those skills along with a weekly conversation to encourage and push the player to greater heights.
Baseball philosophy
Hitting: I believe everyone has a signature style. There is no ONE right way to hit a ball (Tom House, nationally recognized pitching instructor of Randy Johnson, among others, made this popular for pitching styles). However, there are certain foundational concepts that complete a hitter. Balance, timing, hand-eye coordination, and mental stability.
Catching: In 2005, I was converted into a catcher under the daily instruction of “Kutch.” Because I had no experience catching, I learned from ground zero. In 2006, I signed with the Atlanta Braves as a catcher. The development, however steep, was incredible. Last year, I coached catchers specifically with Bethel University and guided two freshman catchers to catch one of the best staffs in the MIAC. I believe in two things: Do whatever it takes to make the pitcher better and bust your butt all over the field. Sure, we will work on soft hands, blocking drills, receiving drills, and throwing technique, but most importantly, catching is about making the person you’re working with better and carrying a persona and edge of leadership.
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