Rob Smith
Owner / Director of Operations
Head Hitting / Fielding Instructor (boys only)

 

 

Coach Rob Smith has over 40 years of elite-level baseball experience.  He is a former college all-star shortstop/infielder and went on to play professional baseball player in the Cleveland Indians organization.  He coached high school baseball for 12 years.  He’s the Head Coach/Director of Operations for the college prep summer baseball program – Midwest Bruins.  He offers advanced baseball instruction, utilizing his expertise in hitting, fielding, throwing techniques, and the mental & physical concepts of the game.  He has a talent for evaluating students and creating a tailored lesson plan – to maximize each student’s potential.

Testimonial:     “It was clear to me that you know your stuff when it comes to hitting.  However, what impressed me the most was how patient and thorough you are as a teacher.  You worked hard to find an approach, a method of communication, that was effective and made sense to my son, and you used a very positive and encouraging coaching style.”  –  Ron 

Scott Jessop
Head Pitching Instructor (boys only)

 

 

Coach Scott Jessop has over 40 years of baseball playing and coaching experience.  He is from Topeka and attended Washburn University for 4 years as a pitcher, earning conference first-team honors as well as an All American Honorable Mention award. Scott was a pitching coach for Veritas Christian School in Lawrence, KS and has been working one-on-one with pitchers in the Topeka and surrounding areas for several years. He has an in-depth knowledge of pitching mechanics and puts arm health and care first on the list.  His belief in pitching is more than just velocity. His training involves accuracy, athleticism, flexibility, strength, pitch type, mentality, confidence, and more. Coach Jessop will be leading our pitching staff while offering private Pitching instruction as well as overseeing our Arm Strength and Development programs.

 

Mike Hughes
Hitting / Fielding / Catching Instructor (boys & girls)

 

 

Coach Mike Hughes has over 35 years of baseball experience.  He has been instructing youth for many years.  As a former college pitcher at Johnson County CC and Washburn University, with experience as an infielder & outfielder as well, Mike offers expertise in all aspects of the game.  With his passion for teaching and advanced knowledge in the area of pitching, students will have an opportunity to learn the correct fundamentals of pitching, refining their overall ability.  He instills confidence in each student’s own ability – creating a positive learning environment.  Mike also teaches hitting and fielding at our group clinics.  He also helps coach the SBA summer baseball program — Midwest Bruins.

Testimonial:   “Mike has been phenomenal.  Every week he finds ways for me to improve my delivery;  I’m gaining accuracy and velocity with every session.  His easy-going and consistent approach makes it easy to overcome frustrations and focus on throwing each pitch correctly.  His baseball knowledge and attitude make him a very complete instructor for either kids or adults like me.”  –  Ian

Aaron Becker
Hitting / Fielding / Catching Instructor (boys & girls)

coach_abecker

 

 

Coach Aaron Becker has over 30 years of baseball experience as a player and coach.  Formerly, he was the head baseball coach at Hayden High School for over 10 years.  He played college baseball at Pittsburg State University where he was a middle infielder.  He has a great passion teaching baseball and gets the most out of his students.  Aaron has coached several players that have gone on and played college baseball.

Testimonial:  “We wanted to mention how much we enjoyed the private batting lessons with Coach Becker.  His lessons were well organized and he always maintained a positive attitude, which is important when working with kids. Jack was a little nervous before the first lesson, but it didn’t take long for him to feel comfortable working with him. We saw a huge improvement in Jack’s swing. Thanks.” – Joey and Shelby

Nick Steiner
Hitting / Catching Instructor (boys & girls), Pitching Instructor (boys only)

 

 

Coach Nick Steiner is a 2017 graduate of Seaman High School where he played baseball, basketball, and football.  He was a pitcher, catcher and third basemen for 4 years for Seaman.  He also played with the college prep organization, Midwest Bruins, for 3 years during the falls and summers.  After high school, Nick went on to play college baseball at Washburn University from 2017 to 2021. His first two seasons he contributed as a Catcher and last two seasons he joined the pitching staff as a relief Pitcher.  With that, he has experience in multiple facets of the game.  Nick’s experience and passion for the game helps him get the best out of his players.  His goal is to improve the athletes that he works with and to maximize their potential.  And, most importantly, he strives to grow his students’ love for the game.

 

 

Grady Middendorf
Hitting / Fielding Instructor (boys & girls)

 
 
 
 
Coach Grady Middendorf is a 2015 graduate of Jefferson West High School where he earned All-League and All State honors as a thirdbaseman. Grady played his college baseball at Washburn University as a third and firstbaseman. Following his playing career, he spent time as head coach for a college prep travel ball team which yielded 6 players that went on to play college baseball. Grady focuses on helping players improve their physical skills and mental approach. 
 

 

Lucy McCLeary
Fast-Pitch Softball Catching / Pitching / Hitting / Fielding Instructor (girls only)

 

 

Coach Lucy McCleary has 14 years of softball playing experience. She was a stand-out softball player all four years of high school and then went on to play two years of NAIA collegiate softball at Bethel College where her main positions were catcher and third base. She managed the Baker Softball Team in 2018-2019 where she helped run practices and work with Pitchers and Catchers among other duties. She is currently a student at Baker University. Coach McCleary is dedicated to teaching and mentoring her students in all aspects of Softball. She instructs catching, pitching, hitting, and fielding.

 

 

Amanda Evans
Fast-Pitch Softball Pitching Instructor (girls only)

 

 

Coach Amanda Evans pitched at Barton CC and also managed the Baker Univ softball team for 2 years. She has advanced expertise in the art of fast-pitch pitching. She is excited to get back into coaching — teaching pitching mechanics, command, control, velocity and much more.  Her instruction is energetic, positive, and tailored to each individual pitcher to maximize their potential.

 

 

Ryne Dowling
Pitching Instructor (boys only)

 

 

 

Coach Ryne Dowling has over 16 years of baseball playing and coaching experience.  He is from Lee’s Summit, MO and attended Washburn University for 5 years as a pitcher, Ryne has been involved in youth baseball for the majority of his adult life. Instructing, coaching, and umpiring has allowed him to become very well-rounded in the development of baseball’s youth.  As a coach and instructor, Ryne’s main objectives are to increase arm strength, better develop pitching mechanics, and help facilitate the athlete’s love for the game; all while placing arm care and health as a major priority.

 

 

Dalton VanHoutan
Pitching Instructor (boys only)

 

 

Coach Dalton VanHoutan has over 20 years of playing and coaching experience. Dalton attended Oskaloosa High School where he was a four-year starter. VanHoutan received All-State and All-Area awards for four years as a Pitcher and Catcher, as well as being an inductee into the KSHSAA Hall of fame for breaking the Kansas no-hitter record. Coach VanHoutan later went on to pitch at McPherson College. He has a vast understanding of pitching mechanics and arm care and development. It is his goal to make every pitcher the best that they can be through effort, repetition, and science.

 

 

Richard Thomas (INACTIVE)
Hitting / Fielding Instructor (boys & girls)

 

 

Coach Richard Thomas is a very well-respected baseball icon in the area. He was an All-American infielder at Allen CC and went on Division-1 baseball at the University of Arkansas. He also played professional baseball in the Florida Marlins organization.  He has High School head coaching and assistant coaching experience as well as lots of youth team and player development coaching experience. Coach Thomas has advanced expertise in hitting mechanics, movements, and concepts. He also teaches advanced infield and outfield defensive play.  

 

Evan Faulkner (INACTIVE)
Pitching Instructor (boys only)

 

 

Coach Evan Faulkner has over 20 years of baseball experience. He is a 2007 graduate of Osage City HS where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school Evan went on to pitch at Highland Community College from 2007-2009, then earned the opportunity to move onto the University of Saint Mary where he was a starting pitcher from 2009-2011. He was named an All- Conference pitcher his senior year. He has coached youth ages from 8-16 years old and has a strong passion for helping young pitchers to see and maximize their potential. Coach Faulkner trains his pitchers physically and mentally on what it takes to become a refined and successful pitcher.

 

FORMER SBA INSTRUCTORS:

TJ McGreevy – Pitching
Justin Rieschick – Pitching
Nick Butler – Hitting / Fielding / Catching
Jacob Kirmer – Hitting / Fielding / Catching
Traice Hartter – Hitting / Fielding / Catching
Miranda Rodriguez – Softball Hitting / Fielding
Chris Linnemann – Pitching
Colby Smith – Hitting / Fielding
Mary Constant-Douthit – Softball
Tony Shaw – Pitching
Tom Sanchez – Pitching
Jeff Steiner – Catching / Hitting / Fielding
Kent Williamson – Pitching
Shawn Powell – Hitting / Fielding
Brett Becker – Hitting / Fielding
Katie Gregg – Softball Pitching
Dara Clouse – Softball Pitching / Hitting
Keith Dunckel – Pitching
Chad Herren – Hitting / Fielding
Ryan Colombo – Hitting / Fielding
Justine Balsmeier – Softball Pitching
Adam Smith – Catching / Hitting