Tri-State Elite Academy - Tri-State Academy | Baseball Softball Instruction

Matt Connors

Title: Director of the Pride of the Diamond Iron Colts

Hometown: Quakertown, Pa

High school: Washington Township HS (Sewell, NJ )

College: DeSales University

Coaching experience: Two years as the Head Coach of Washington Township Legion. Two years as an Assistant Coach at DeSales University. Director and Coach for the Pride of the Diamond Iron Colts since 2010.

Fondest memory as a player: Walk off single against our rival high school my senior year.

Favorite player growing up: Ozzie Smith

Biggest role model growing up: My Dad will always be my role model. Baseball has a lot of ups and downs that can beat you up emotionally. My Dad was the one who never let me get too high or too low depending on how I played.

Teaching philosophy: Winning is a result of practicing and playing the game the right way. There are no shortcuts.

Kyle Greenwalt

Title: Pitching Instructor

Hometown: Harleysville, PA

High school: Souderton High School

Professional experience: Playing within the Houston Astros Organization for the past 4 years.  Currently playing AA Corpus Christi.

Coaching experience: Coached fall 9U team this past fall

Area of expertise: Pitching

Accolades: Earned first team all state in 06, 07.  06 Gatorade and Louisville Slugger player of the year (PA).  Drafted by the Astros out of Souderton in 2007. Won team MVP honors in 08 for the Greeneville Astros.

Fondest memory as a player: Playing in the Championship game in 2010 in the Arizona Fall league.  Getting a chance to play against some of the best players in the minor leagues, and starting the championship game.

Favorite player growing up: Growing up I was a huge Phillies fan so one of my favorite players was Curt Schilling, along with ex Astros Roy Oswalt.

Biggest role model growing up: My role model growing up was my dad.  He was always there for me, whether it was with baseball or just in life.  He never steered me wrong and can and always will tell me how it is.  He taught me to be the man that I am today.

Teaching philosophy: Baseball is a game, have fun.  It’s a simple concept just throw the ball, don’t think.  You are constantly learning when pitching, don’t get frustrated be willing to learn.  Baseball is a game of failures, the successful players just know how to deal with failure.

Milt Thompson

Title: Hitting instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Magruder (Rockville, Md.)

College: Howard University

Professional experience: Played in the major leagues with the Braves, Phillies, Cardinals, Astros, Dodgers and Rockies between 1984-1996.

Coaching experience: Has served as a minor league coach/coordinator for Tampa Bay, Phillies and Astros … Was hitting coach for 2008 World Series champion Phillies.

Area of expertise: Hitting

Accolades: Taken in second round of 1979 draft by Atlanta … Made MLB debut on Sept. 4, 1984 for Braves … Played on Phillies’ 1993 World Series team against Toronto in which he batted .313 with six RBIs – including five in Game 4 … Posted .274 career batting average with 47 home runs and 357 RBIs

Fondest memory as a player: Playing in the 1993 World Series with the Phillies and winning the 2008 World Series championship as the Phillies hitting coach

Favorite player growing up: Being a big Baltimore Orioles fan, he loved guys like Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Mark Belanger, Boog Powell. “I loved the whole crew.”

Biggest role model growing up: His parents. “They raised me and helped me to respect people and earn respect. You can’t worry about what others think of you. You are who you are. You have goals and dreams to reach, so don’t let others dictate how you go about that. Fight and make it happen.”

Teaching philosophy: Just to have fun and relax. The talent is there. You just have to be able to trust yourself. That’s the difference between being a good athlete and not – trusting your ability. Let your natural ability take over.

Dan Barbara

Title: Director of Baseball Operations

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: Old Dominion University

Professional experience: Philadelphia Phillies (1995)

Coaching experience: Camden County College (1993-1995) … Tri-County Men’s League … Washington Township Babe Ruth … Nearly 20 years at all levels

Area of expertise: Hitting

Accolades: Coached Washington Township 14-year-olds to third place in 2006 Babe Ruth World Series … Washington Township High School Sports Hall of Fame (2008) … Played on seven championships teams and was a three-time Triple Crown winner in Tri-County Men’s League.

Fondest memory as a player: As a replacement player for the Phillies, he hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

Favorite player growing up: Dave Parker

Biggest role model growing up: His father. “He coached me in everything I did.  He made me the man I am today."

Teaching philosophy: It’s pretty simple – work hard. Hard work pays off in everything you do and that’s what I tell the kids.

Bob Shannon

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Bellmawr

High school: Paul VI

College: La Salle University

Professional experience: Two seasons in Montreal Expos organization as a pitcher … Player-coach three seasons in Holland

Coaching experience: Former pitching coach at Audubon High School

Area of expertise: Hitting, pitching, infield

Accolades: Member of 1979 Brooklawn American Legion state championship team … Was an All-State shortstop as a senior at Paul VI … Selected by Oakland in 12^th round of 1980 draft out of high school … Signed as a free agent by Montreal Expos and played two seasons in organization as a pitcher … Served as a baseball ambassador in Eastern Europe (Holland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Russia) in 1990.

Fondest memory as a player: Signing his first pro contract after pitching Delran Diamonds to a victory in the Rancocas Valley League ... Also pitching in European Championships for Holland against Italy.

Favorite player growing up: Mike Schmidt

Biggest role model growing up: Mike Schmidt and Larry Bowa.

Teaching philosophy: Make it as fun as you can while teaching so they’ll want to work hard on their own. They have to enjoy it.

Brandon Duckworth

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Blackwood

High school: Kearns (Kearns, Utah)

College: Cal State - Fullerton

Professional experience: Taken by Toronto in 30^th round of 1995 draft and again by Arizona (61^st round) in 1996 but did not sign … Signed free-agent contract with Phillies in 1997 and made MLB debut Aug. 7, 2001 … Played for Phillies, Astros and Royals between 2001-2008 … Spent last season in Red Sox organization

Area of expertise: Pitching

Accolades: Has pitched in 134 career major-league games, including 84 starts … Owns 23-34 record and 5.28 ERA … Went 3-2 with a 3.52 ERA in 11 starts for Phillies in 2001 … Was 15^th in National League with 167 strikeouts in 2002.

Fondest memory as a player: His major league debut against the San Diego Padres. “Almost everybody for the most part says that because of all the blood, sweat and tears you’ve put into your career. To finally step on a major league field is great. I got the win and a hit, so it was a pretty good day. I’d do it again.”

Favorite player growing up: Greg Maddux.

Biggest role model growing up: His parents. “They always pushed me to excel in whatever I did and were behind me 100 percent of the time no matter what.”

Teaching philosophy: If you don’t have balance, you don’t have anything. Balance is the biggest key. If you don’t have it, you’re not going to be consistent and do the things you want to do.

Pete Conlin

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: University of Texas, Hill (Tx.) Junior College, Rowan University

Professional experience: Philadelphia Phillies (1995)

Coaching experience: Player-coach on eight championship teams in Tri-County Men’s League … Served as pitching coach at Camden County College for two seasons … Coached at youth level with Washington Township travel program

Area of expertise: Pitching, hitting

Accolades: Went 10-1 with a 2.90 ERA as a sophomore at Hill JC, earning all-conference honors

Fondest memory as a player: Definitely playing with the Phillies in 1995, which I was lucky enough to do with my best friend (Dan Barbara)

Favorite player growing up: Darryl Strawberry

Biggest role model growing up: His father, Hall of Fame baseball writer Bill Conlin. “I got to hang out with the players and their kids as a young kid. I thought it was a pretty cool deal.”

Teaching philosophy: Depending on the age group, you can only go so far. But it’s always the same – just keep it simple. Less is better. And obviously, remember to have fun.”

Blaine Neal

High School: Bishop Eustace

Professional Experience: 15 years Professional/ 5 years in the Majors: Florida, San Diego, Boston and Colorado

Fondest Memory: Big League Debut/Debut at the Vet.

Favorite Player Growing up: Mike Schmidt

Teaching Philosophy: Have fun and give kids the knowledge of how to make adjustments themselves during the game

Roy Price

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: Camden County College, Rowan University

Coaching experience: Washington Township travel program (13U and 16U)

Area of expertise: Hitting, catching

Accolades: All-Group 4 as a senior at Washington Township … All-Region 19 at Camden County College in 1995 and 1996 … Selected as NJCAA Division II Player of the Year in 1996 … Two-year starting catcher at Rowan

Fondest memory as a player: Being part of Washington Township’s South Jersey Group 4 championship team as a senior

Favorite player growing up: Darren Daulton

Biggest role model growing up: His father. “He was a hard worker. Whatever we needed, he made sure we had.”

Teaching philosophy: I try to get the kids to relax, enjoy and have fun. You play much better when you’re relaxed. Younger kids need to enjoy the game.

Mickey Shaw

Title: Director of Softball Operations

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Audubon

College: St. Francis (Pa.)

Coaching experience: Was head coach at Washington Township High School for 15 seasons

Area of expertise: Hitting

Accolades: Posted a 312-73 career record at Washington Township … Directed Minutemaids to three South Jersey Group 4 championships and nine Olympic Conference American Division crowns … A three-time recipient of South Jersey Coach of the Year by the Courier-Post

Fondest memory as a coach: Always putting competitive teams on the field.

Favorite player growing up: Mickey Mantle

Biggest role model growing up: My father. “He coach baseball in Audubon for years, taking the 13-15 year-olds kids and sending them on to high school.”

Teaching philosophy: All kids are different and you can’t try to teach all kids the same thing. I try to take my style and work it to the ability of the kid.”

Melissa "Bessy" Schomber

Title: Softball instructor

Hometown: Woodstown

High school: Woodstown

College: Gloucester County College, Rutgers-Camden University

Coaching experience: Pitching coach at Rutgers-Camden (2000-2001), pitching/outfield coach at Gloucester County College (2003-2005)

Area of expertise: Pitching

Accolades: Back-to-back team MVP while at Rutgers-Camden … Got ball rolling as first softball instructor to offer lessons at TSE Academy

Fondest memory as a player: In a high school game, she was faced with a full count on the cleanup hitter with bases loaded in the seventh inning. “I looked at my dad and he nodded his head. I threw a change-up, the batter swung, missed and fell down. We won the game. It was so exciting.”

Favorite player growing up: Lisa Fernandez

Biggest role models growing up: Her parents

Teaching philosophy: Practice with a purpose and play with passion.

Gary Barbara

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: Camden County College

Professional experience: None

Coaching experience: Washington Township Babe Ruth … TSE instructor since 2004

Area of expertise: Hitting, fielding

Accolades: All-Conference player at Washington Township … Played for six championship teams in Tri-County Men’s League … An All-Region 19 selection in 1995 while at Camden County College.

Fondest memory as a player: As a junior first baseman for Washington Township High School’s 1993 team, the Minutemen earned the Courier-Post Cup as the No. 1 team in South Jersey that season.

Favorite player growing up: Mike Schmidt

Biggest role model growing up: His brother, Dan, because of what he was able to accomplish in his baseball career.

Teaching philosophy: My thing with the kids is if they practice hard, they’ll play harder. You always want to give 100 percent on and off the field.

Billy McCarthy

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: Radford University, Rutgers University

Professional experience: Spent parts of seven seasons in Atlanta Braves organization, advancing as far as Triple-A Richmond of International League … Also played part of 2007 season with Kansas City affiliate in Pacific Coast League … Minor League career average of .274 with 124 doubles, 15 triple, 55 home runs and 302 RBIs

Coaching experience: Baseball University Showcase event

Area of expertise: Hitting, outfield

Accolades: All-South Jersey player at Washington Township … Taken by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of 2001 draft out of Rutgers … In 2001, named NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball second team All-American and ABCA third team All-American … Led Big East Conference in hitting (.421) as a junior and was a first team all-conference pick.

Fondest memory as a player: Having the chance to meet Hank Aaron prior to a spring training game and being able bounce things off him one-on-one. It was a chance to talk baseball and about life.

Favorite player growing up: Mike Schmidt

Biggest role model growing up: My father. “He was always about doing things the right way. He put his head down and was a leader by example. Hard work really does pay off in the end.”

Teaching philosophy: Being able to get kids to repeat their swing consistently and do it with confidence. I want to build their confidence and prove that they are a good hitter.

Shea Harris

Title: Staff instructor
Hometown: Washington Township
High school: Washington Township
College: James Madison University, Louisberg JC, Gardner-Webb University
Professional experience: Played for Atlantic City Surf of the Can-Am League as well as Bridgeport Bluefish and Camden Riversharks of the Atlantic League … Also played for Sioux City of American Association
Coaching experience: Hitting/catching coach at Pfeiffer University
Area of expertise: Hitting, catching
Accolades: Rawlings Silver Glove winner in Northwoods Summer League in 2006 … Caught the first no-hitter in Camden Riversharks history
Fondest memory as a player: Catching the no-hitter. It was pretty special, especially not having played that much during the 2011 season.
Favorite player growing up: Mike Lieberthal
Biggest role model growing up: His father. “I listed to everything he had to teach me. He taught me the ropes.”
Teaching philosophy: I try to toughen the kids up mentally and physically. Whether you’re the most talented kid or not, you have to play hard and have to toughen up – especially if you want to be a catcher.

Mike Modica

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

College: George Mason University

Professional experience: Played two seasons with Houston Astros organization

Area of expertise: Pitching

Accolades: Was taken by the Phillies out of Washington Township in the 45^th round of the 2005 draft but did not sign … Was also drafted twice by the Astros (46^th round, 2008 and 24^th round, 2009) … Spent two years in Astros’ minor league system … Primarily as a reliever, owns 4-9 career professional record with a 4.18 ERA in 67 games … Reached as high as Single-A Advanced with Lancaster Jethawks of the California League … Was an All-State pitcher as a high school senior, going 9-3 with 107 strikeouts.

Fondest memory as a player: As a sophomore at George Mason, the left-hander threw a 1-hitter to be Clemson – which was No. 1 in the country at the time.

Favorite player growing up: Roger Clemens and Mario Rivera

Biggest role model growing up: My father. “He’s always been there for me and gave me the opportunity to do pretty much whatever I wanted. Fail or succeed, it didn’t matter to him.”

Teaching philosophy: You need to iron out their mechanics so they can maximize their body. There’s nothing I can do or say to change that, so you have to fit the body with certain mechanics so they can perform at the highest level. Then we need to work on the mental aspects and how to manage the game. You have to learn how to pitch and if you have someone helping along the way you’ll see results a lot quicker.

Katie Morris

Title: Softball instructor

Hometown: Deptford

High school: Deptford

College: William Paterson University

Area of expertise: Hitting, infield

Accolades: As a senior, she was named Player of the Year in the NJAC and ECAC Division  III Metro Region … Posted career-highs in batting average (.331), runs scored (29), hits (45), doubles (14), home runs (3), extra-base hits (19), RBIs (20) and stolen bases (9) as a senior … A four-year starter, she was a three-time member of the All-NJAC team (2001-2003) … Was named to  the 2001 NCAA Softball National Championships All-Tournament Team … Started 154 of 155 college games she played in.

Fondest memory as a player: While at William Paterson, she hit a home run on the first pitch she faced to open her senior season with a bang.

Biggest role model growing up: Her parents. “They came to everything. They coached me since the time I was four years old and never missed a game. They were always by my side.”

Teaching philosophy: Understanding why, why things are the way you’re trying to teach kids. The bottom line is their success.

Steve Costa

Title: Staff instructor

Hometown: Washington Township

High school: Washington Township

Coaching experience: Washington Township travel program

Area of expertise: Fielding (Also brings knowledge of game through experience as an umpire)

Accolades: An All-Group 4 selection as an outfielder as a high school senior … Played on three championship teams in Tri-County Men’s League

Fondest memory as a player: Winning his first championship in 1998 in the Tri-County Men’s League

Favorite player growing up: Jose Canseco

Biggest role model growing up: Jose Canseco. “I just loved his power, speed and all-around baseball. Who knew then how he’d turn out?

Teaching philosophy: It has to be fun. That’s the biggest thing. You have to work hard. I tell the kids all the time that games are not won on game day. Games are won in practice. You have to put the work in.