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 (Guardians) 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.” – RonScott Jessop
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 College Prep 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.” – IanAaron Becker
Hitting / Fielding / Catching Instructor (boys & girls)
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)
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.
Jaden Snyder
Hitting / Catching Instructor (boys & girls), Pitching Instructor (boys only)
Coach Jaden Snyder has over 15 years playing and 5+ years of coaching experience. Jaden is from Shawnee, KS and is a college student at the University of Kansas. He played collegiately as an infielder and a pitcher, and was also a well recruited catcher in his mid high school years. Coach Snyder has coached at numerous levels since he was 16 years old, including high school, collegiate summer league, and club ball levels. He has legitimate game experience at a high level at every position, so his knowledge of the mechanics, mentality, and specific training required for each position is very thorough. He has a deep passion for developing young athletes, focusing on both their skills and ultimately growing their love for the game.
Evan Faulkner
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.
Braden Meek
Pitching Instructor (boys only)
Coach Braden Meek brings over 20 years of baseball experience to Smith Baseball Academy. He played collegiately at Butler Community College, where he earned All-KJCCC honors as a starting pitcher, and at Emporia State University, where he was recognized as MIAA Pitcher of the Week. With a strong passion for teaching and an advanced understanding of Pitching mechanics, Braden is committed to helping Pitchers develop proper fundamentals and refine their overall skills on the mound. His coaching philosophy focuses on building confidence and maximizing each athlete’s potential.
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.
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