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OUR STAFF Neal Turvey/ Manager Player Development – Scouting 27 Years of Coaching and Administrating baseball & softball, from Little League to High School to College. Neal coached at Medaille College, the University at Buffalo and Niagara University. Prior to that he was a coach at Depew High School for six years and spent two years with the USAB Ohio Stars. Neal has coached some of the most promising players in the Northeast at National Showcases which include Perfect Game, College Select, and Diamond King. Neal is dedicated to providing youth and amateur players the experience, coaching and guidance they need to play in College or at the Professional level. Neal has a simple philosophy: RESPECT ALL PLAYERS, RESPECT YOUR OPPONENTS, RESPECT THE GAME -- teach the correct fundamentals with patience, persistence and clarity.
John VanDeMark/ Lead Baseball Instructor John VanDeMark was drafted out of Lockport High School in 1989 as a 1st baseman by the Houston Astros. After 3 seasons, the Philadelphia Phillies converted him to a pitcher where he spent the next 8 years. John was the Philadelphia Phillies' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 1994, as well as a Post Season All Star and Series MVP from the League Championship winning year. John is a nationally certified pitching instructor and trainer with the National Pitchers Association since 2005. He also completed a pitching course at Pitching Central in 2008 another with Dr. Mike Marshal's Pitching Academy that same year. In addition to teaching athletes to compete more effectively and to avoid injury, it is John's mission to help young pitchers learn the life lessons that will enable them to take more responsibility for their athletic development and to become better leaders on and off the field.
Robyn Ventura/ Lead Softball Instructor Ventura's coaching experience includes eight years as the head coach at Medaille College, where she lead her team to eight play-off appearances. In 2008 the Mavericks finished in first place for the regular season, earning Ventura Coach of the Year honors. Other experience includes instructing with the Buffalo State College and Canisius College pitching clinics, instructing in the Canisius College all-around camp and four years as a tutor with the Bengals hitting clinic. She also served for one season as the varsity softball coach at the Buffalo Seminary School. A graduate of Buffalo State College, Ventura was a four-year member of the Bengals softball team. In October of 2006 Robyn was inducted into the Buffalo State College Athletics Hall of Fame. After catching for two seasons and earning All-State and All-Regional tournament team honors (1996), she decided to make the transition to pitcher as a junior. In her senior year, she helped lead the Bengals to a State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Championship and a trip to the NCAA regionals. She hurled a school record eight shutouts and posted a 16-5 record with a 0.63 ERA, the second lowest in all of Division III. Ventura finished her collegiate career with a .359 batting average and ranks second in the school record books for single season and career RBI’s and single season ERA. In addition to earning Buffalo State’s Female Athlete of the Year honors (2000), she also grabbed the school’s award for outstanding career accomplishments (1996-2000). She earned First Team All-Northeast Region status and is the only Buffalo State player to be a part of two SUNYAC Championship teams.
Joe Winkelsas/ Baseball Instructor Biography: Joe Winkelsas drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1994. Led NCAA division II baseball with a 1.29 ERA in 1996. Signed with the Atlanta Braves in 1996 and played at all levels within their organization. Led the Atlanta Braves organization with twenty-two saves in 1998. Among the league leaders in ERA in 1997, 1998, and 2002 with the Braves minor league affiliates. Selected to the Maryland Fall League All-Star Team (AA) in 1999. Made Major League Baseball debut on April 10, 1999 with the Atlanta Braves. Pitched for the Charlotte Knights of the International League. Played (AA) baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers where he was top ten in the organization in ERA. Pitched for the (AAA) Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. Pitching Coach for Niagara University. Pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers Major League Club. Joey Winkelsas has an outstanding ability and gift to gain one’s trust and commitment. His Dominican style type work-outs have turned out some of the best talent locally, nationally, and internationally. His communication skills and sense of humor are second to none, which provide a free and relaxed learning atmosphere. Building character in characters, one pitch at a time.
Anna Nagro/ Softball Instructor Anna Nagro comes to D'Youville College with a resume of high-level playing experience, proven leadership ability, and a passion for her sport. Originally from Buffalo, NY and a graduate of Holy Angels Academy, Nagro received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from St. Bonaventure University. She then went on to complete her Master of Science in Sports Administration at Canisius College. A standout player with the Bonnies from 2003-2007 and a team captain in her final season, Nagro started 150 games at catcher and completed her playing career on five of the Bonnie's all-time career leader lists: at bats, doubles, home runs, runs batted in (RBI), and games played. In addition to her collegiate experience, Nagro competed in the 2006,2007,2008 Empire State Games as the starting catcher and team captain for the Western Region squad. She helped lead the team to a bronze and silver medal. Nagro gained valuable coaching and leadership experience working, under the direction of Bonnies Head Coach Mike Threehouse, as an instructor in the hitting and pitching clinics offered by St. Bonaventure University to high school players. After leaving St. Bonaventure, Nagro continued passing her technical knowledge of the game on at D’Youville College were she was named Head Softball Coach in 2008. In only her second year as Head Coach at D’Youville College she lead the team to a 13-3 record in conference play and was honored with the 2009 NEAC Coach of the Year award. Residing in Buffalo, Nagro is continuing her career at D’Youville College as Head Softball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director.
Jeff Ziemecki/ Baseball Instructor Jeff is in his third season as the head assistant coach at Niagara County Community College, where he works closely with the infielders and hitters. Jeff has had an integral part, working along side head coach Matt Clingersmith, in turning the Niagara CCC program around from a five win season in 2007, to a 35-9 finish in 2009, and the schools first ever Division III Junior College World Series appearance. In the fall of 2008, Niagara CCC also won its first ever Western New York Athletic Conference title. Jeff also served as an assistant coach to Brian Hansen at Williamsville South High School in 2005. A journeyman in college, Jeff played four years of college ball at three different institutions. Jeff was a member of the 2003 Erie Community College team that reached the Division III Junior College World Series, finishing 5th in the country. Jeff also played at Division I Canisius College before finishing his career at Division III SUNY Brockport. Jeff graduated from Williamsville South High School in 2002 where he was a three year letter winner for Coach Brian Hansen. Jeff received all ECIC honors in 2001 and 2002, and was named honorable mention in 2000. Jeff received his bachelors in accounting from SUNY Brockport, and his masters in sport management from Canisius College.
Matt Mazurek
Division 1 Scholarship Athlete 3 years of Professional Baseball Experience Cheryl O' Connor/Softball Instructor Cheryl began her softball career competing in the Little League World Series, where she played in multiple State and Regional Tournaments. After little league she played for Sweet Home High School. There she was a pitcher and made All Western New York First Team her senior year. After high school she earned a softball scholarship to attend Canisius College, a Division 1 school, as a pitcher. She continued her softball career at the highest level of softball, semi-professional, for the Shamrocks. She played there for four years and traveled throughout the United States competing against the best softball players in the states. Cheryl has coached for a total of 12 years. She began at Mel Ott in Amherst, New York where she coached girls softball for two years. For the past ten years she has been coaching at North Tonawanda Babe Ruth Association. At Babe Ruth she both coaches and serves on the Board Of Directors. In addition to coaching baseball ages 6- 15, she has been giving private softball pitching lessons to
Ryan Crotin – Hitting, Pitching, Strength and Conditioning Instructor Ryan delivers a unique combination of baseball coaching experience stemming from NCAA Division I Collegiate and Major League Affiliated Baseball. As a member of the St. Louis Cardinals Player Development Staff in 2008 and 2009, Crotin had served as an associate minor league strength and conditioning coordinator and rehabilitation assistant. In 2008, his Batavia Muckdogs Minor League Program won the New York Penn League Championship. Prior to working with the St. Louis Cardinals, Crotin served concurrently as the volunteer assistant coach in baseball and baseball strength at the University at Buffalo under Head Coach, Ron Torgalski. Crotin is a current doctorate student in the exercise science program at the University at Buffalo. His academic focus entails pitching biomechanics and the causation of soft-tissue injury. Please contact Ryan for baseball strength and conditioning programming, hitting or pitching lessons.
Joe Hesketh As a senior at Hamburg's Frontier Central, the talented southpaw was rated among the top high school pitchers in the area, but Frontier was beneath the radar of college scouts, and Joe received little exposure to or attention from recruiters from big-name baseball schools. This "problem" was a blessing in disguise for Hesketh, for it led him to the University of Buffalo and legendary coach Bill Monkarsh, who, between 1964 and 1980, produced nearly 50 players who signed pro contracts. Hesketh and others recall that the Monkarsh approach featured a strong work ethic and slavish devotion to the fundamentals, an approach that turned young flamethrowers into savvy pitchers. In Hesketh's case, the results were spectacular.
Hesketh developed into the ace of the Bulls' staff, a starter and reliever who gave his team the best his left arm had to offer in every situation. Joe's college career featured a UB-record 10 complete games among 25 started, an overall ERA of 1.77 (0.91 his junior year), and highlights such as an upset win in Miami in the NCAA Division I playoffs against a ranked Hurricane squad, and a 4-0 shutout of baseball power St. John's and its ace (and future major league star) Frank Viola.
These exploits helped earn Joe 1980 ECAC New York-New Jersey District Player of the Year honors. While college scouts had earlier failed to spot this diamond-in-the-rough, at this level of competition, the pro scouts took notice, and Joe was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1980.
Hesketh's road to the "show" was a difficult one, but after three years of toiling in the minors, his 1984 season at Indianapolis (12-3, 3.05 ERA, American Association Pitcher of the Year) opened the door. Joe made the big club in 1985, and made an immediate impact with Montreal. For most of the summer, it appeared he would battle Cincinnati's Tom Browning for National League Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Joe was 10-5 with a sparkling 2.49 ERA in late August when a home-plate collision with Dodger catcher Mike Scioscia broke his leg and ended his season.
Hesketh never again reached that level with the Expos, and after several discouraging, injury-plagued seasons, appeared headed for early retirement when the Boston Red Sox called. Joe rewarded the Sox' faith with a 12-4 record and 3.29 ERA in 1991, and was feted with the annual Tenth Player Award by Sox fans, only the second time in eighteen seasons that a pitcher had been chosen.
In 2002, Joe Hesketh received the accolades from hometown fans with a well-deserved induction into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
Eric Flynn A native of Niagara Falls, NY - Eric played his High School Baseball there. Named an Honorable Mention on the All WNY Team, Diamond King Top 100 Prospect and Most Outstanding Player on the Inferno Showcase Team. Played Collegiately at the University at Buffalo under Bill Breene and Ron Torgalski. Set standards for Walks and Runs in a single game and second in Steals in a season. Was part of the most successful UB team (2009) since joining the Mid American Conference. Holds a degree in communications and is pursuing a career in Professional Independent Baseball.
Jared Conlon • Went to the New York State high school Class A - Final Four-Lewiston Porter High School • Played with the 1997 Roberto Clemente All-Stars in San Juan, Puerto Rico batting .585 • Worked with such MLB players such as Roberto Alomar, current 3rd base coach of the St. Louis Cardinals, Jose Oquendo, Lenny Randall, Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Delgado, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez as well as others in San Juan, Puerto Rico-Winter League • Played D1 baseball at Niagara University for the Purple Eagles from 2000-2003 • Assistant Coached @ Niagara Catholic High School to a ranking of #6 Small School in Western New York-Softball • Coached and Intrstucted throughout WNY for the last 8 years •Catching Coach having worked with over 100 former and current Division I, II, III Softball and Baseball players.
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