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Coaches

Nick Rodriguez – Fielding, Hitting & Defensive Coach

Nick is a College Scholarship Athlete.  He believes putting in the work to become a better athlete is key.  Nick played travel baseball for 11 years.  Jack Suwinski was his Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year hitting coach in High School, that let him to become a Nationally Ranked baseball player and a 2 way Scholarship athlete.  He played for team USA, Under Armor All American, and played all positions except outfield at the High School level, helping his High School team reach the State Tournament, finishing in the Final 4 .

 

Anthony Sopena – Hitting and Speed & Agility Coach

Anthony is a Certified Speed Agility Specialist and has trained several athletes and traveling baseball teams. He also served as an Apprentice for Jim Tyrrell, former New York Yankees Trainer who was one of their Strength Conditioning Coaches. Anthony brings enthusiasm, passion, knowledge and first hand training to all those he works with. The Philosophy that he feels works best is “use the whole field, foul pole to foul pole, become a gap to gap hitter”. Let the game situation and the pitch you are looking for determine your approach. Hit the ball as hard as you can. HITTERS AREN’T BORN, THEY ARE MADE THROUGH HARD WORK, DETERMINATION, CONSISTENCY AND DESIRE.

 

John Herrera – Pitching Coach

John grew up playing baseball in Southern California from the beginning through High School.  Although John opted for college, he was drafted multiple times by the Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, NY Yankees, and finally securing his place in the Oakland Athletics farm system at the AA level.  Unfortunately, John suffered a career ending injury and he settled in as a teacher and baseball coach.  His philosophy is to evoke, Discipline, Leadership, Selflessness, and Work Ethic along with Confidence.  John believes that player should be challenged in all of these aspects on and off the field.  Life lessons come  through participation in athletics and interaction with positive coaching principles.

 

Ted Fijalkowski – All Baseball & Softball Fundamentals

Coach Fijalkowski has learned from some of the best in the game including Jim Morris (former Team USA pitching coach), Mo Drabowski (former MLB Pitching Coach), and Jim Fannin (one of the leading Professional Sports Psychologists), just to name a few.  Coach Fijalkowski graduated from West Chicago HS as an All Area Pitcher, Area MVP, and DuPage County ERA and strikeout leader. He then played at College of DuPage where he was an All Conference player. After COD he transferred to Leo University in Florida and played in two DII College World Series.

John Escareno – Speed and Agility Coach

Coach Johnny grew up playing baseball in the West Dundee area and lives and breathes all sports, but specifically baseball. He has been around the game for the past 15 years playing and coaching the game. My goals are to make all players I see better athletes as I have been working with large sports programs and the park district to develop athletes in the Fox Valley Area and also work as a teacher.

 

Josh Sulejmani – Catching Coach

Coach Josh Sulejmani played 7 years of Travel Baseball and was placed on the Varsity team 3 of his 4 years at Hampshire High School as their starting catcher.  Josh’s High School team achieved great notoriety winning the Super Sectional his Senior year and finishing in the top 4 of the High School State Championships.  Josh continued to share his love of the game with our program developing into a great leader, coach, and instructor of the game, specializing at the catcher position.

 

Sam Rohlfing – Pitching and Fundamentals Coach

Coach Sam Rohlfing is a Scholarship Athlete.  He is passionate about molding character development, teaching valuable life skills that extend far beyond the baseball diamond.  Sam;s coaching philosophy is built on creating a strong work ethic, sportsmanship, and striving to be the best you can be.  Sam has worked with many high level coaches and baseball players such as Kerry Wood as a Pitching Coach & numerous MLB hitting coaches.  Sam is a current nationally ranked baseball player as a Two-Way athlete.  He played on Team Illinois, Team USA and started all four years on Varsity.  He received All State Honors, All area & Conference MVP his Senior Year.