From the schoolyard underdog to a baseball luminary, my journey in baseball spans over five decades, marked by resilience, passion, and an unwavering commitment to the sport. As a young student-athlete, I often found myself at the tail end of team selections, a testament to my initial struggles on the field. However, I transformed my trajectory through sheer determination and an embrace of failure as a stepping stone. By the time I graduated from high school, not only had I secured a coveted baseball scholarship to Arizona State University, but the Chicago Cubs also chose me in the 1981 MLB draft’s 13th round.

My extensive experience encompasses over twenty years as a head coach across high school, travel baseball, and NCAA D3 levels. Opting for retirement from coaching as my sons embarked on their baseball journey, I’ve witnessed firsthand the commercialization of youth baseball, emphasizing its business-centric approach over genuine player development.