Centerfield Sports Academy                

Naperville's Batting Cage Headquarters in the Best Baseball & Softball Facility in DuPage County


Our Coaches

Our Coaching Staff

Former professional Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Trimarco heads up our staff of professional, college & high school coaches. We offer instruction in both baseball and fastpitch softball. The Academy staff is known for their innovation, consistency and the ability to adjust their coaching techniques to different age and skill levels. We believe the instruction is a team effort between our coaches, students and their parents with learning and fun to be had by all.

Mike Trimarco
Former Professional Pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles organization; played 2 years independent professional baseball with Celinas Peppers;  head coach for the Academy; responsible for development of all programs offered by Academy; responsible for hiring, training, and management of all coaches on staff; currently plays in two men's baseball leagues; 10 years coaching experience;
10 years with the Academy; specialties in baseball pitching, hitting and fielding and in softball hitting and fielding.



                                                  

Alvie Shepherd
Former Professional Pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, Anaheim Angels, and NY Mets organizations;
1st round draft pick  by Baltimore Orioles in 1995 MLB Draft; 1992 Illinois Player of the Year; Big 8 All Conference Designated Hitter; current Assistant Coach of Proviso West High School Varsity Baseball Team; 9 years coaching experience; 5 years with the Academy; specialties in baseball pitching, hitting and fielding and in softball hitting and fielding.

             





                                                                     
 Bill Naffziger
Former Naperville Central High School Coach; coached/managed Tee Ball through 18 year old
            traveling baseball teams for 25 + Seasons; played College Baseball 4 years; 10 years
                            with Academy; involved in developing skill set criteria for the Academy; specialties in baseball pitching, hitting, and fielding.






Kirk Williamson
Current Catcher for Aurora University and for Addison Braves Semi-Pro Baseball Team;
named to the 2009 ESPN Academic All-America College Division Baseball Second Team; named to the 2009 ESPN District V Academic All-District Team; former catcher at Neuqua Valley High School;  5 years coaching experience; 4 years with the Academy; specialties in baseball and softball catching, hitting, and fielding.






Valerie Wood
Physical Education Teacher for Still Middle School; current coach of Naperville Diamonds 16U College Exposure Team; B.S. in Physical Education, Ohio University, 2003; M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction, Concordia University, 2005; former pitcher for El Paso Community College and Ohio University fastpitch softball teams; invited to tryout for the 2002 USA Olympic Team; ranked 7th in nation for saves in 2001 and 2002; named to Mid-American Conference 2nd Team All Conference in 2002; Texas Region 5 All-Star in 1999 and 2000; Western Junior College Athletic Conference All-Conference; former varsity pitcher for Waubonsie Valley High School; Up-State 8 All-Conference in 1997-1998; Naperville Sun, Beacon News, Daily Herald All-Area Team in 1997 and 1998; Chicago Tribune Top 100 Athletes in the Chicago Area in 1998; pitched perfect game against Streamwood High School in 1998; 4 years coaching experience; specialties in fastpitch softball pitching, hitting, and fielding.






Tom Kinney
Former Professional Left-Handed Pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals organization;

Rolaids Relief Award Winner in 1990; played in Arizona Rookie League and Class A Ball in Georgia; 1st Team All Conference at Morton High School, Peoria, IL (number retired); 5 years coaching experience; 2 years with Academy; specialties in baseball pitching, hitting, and fielding.






Chris Chelich
Former Coach of Northern Illinois University Baseball Club; 7 years coaching experience with Academy; specialties in baseball and softball hitting and fielding; current coach of an under 8 fastpitch softball team and a coach-pitch softball team.








            
Greg Perez
Former player with the K.C. Royals organization; played 2 years in Japan; played 2 years All-Marine Corps Baseball Team; 6 years of semi-pro ball experience; 8 years coaching experience; 2 years with the Academy; current coach of G.A.B.A. Travel Team Baseball; specialties in baseball hitting, fielding and base running/stealing.


   Richard Morford
20+ years of fastpitch softball coaching experience; 4 years with the Academy; specialties in fastpitch softball pitching, hitting, and fielding.

Josh Dryden--Hitting and Fielding Instructor for PBI, South Barrington, IL and Oakton Community College, Desplaines, IL; currently plays in a men's 25+ baseball league and on Addison Braves Semi-Pro Baseball Team; former shortstop for MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL; received Most Improved College Player sophomore year; former shortshop for Schaumburg High School; won state championship junior year; named All Area and All Conference; 4 years coaching experience.

Eddie Spychalski--22nd round draft pick by Chicago Cubs in 2002; played independent baseball in GBL with the Long Beach Armada; former pitcher for University of New Orleans, Oakton Community College, and North Central College; named to Players to Watch List in Collegiete Baseball Newspaper in 2003; 3rd best pitcher in JUCO Baseball in 2004; 4 year Varsity starter at Driscoll Catholic High School, Addison, IL; set school strikeout record and holds school save record; All Conference 4 years; All Area one year; All State one year; Baseball America's 38th best baseball player in the country in 2002; Best Player/Prospect in the State from 2000-2002; 4 years coaching experience.
 

Bill Neubauer--
23 years of baseball and softball coaching experience. Organizations include Worth Athletic Association, Upper Deck Cougars Baseball Travel Team (#1 In State 2001 & 2002), Naturals Fastpitch Travel Team; volunteer coach for Shepard High School (Palos Hills, IL) Camps; 2 years with Academy.


Shawn Neubauer--Pitching Coach for Alan B. Shepard High School, Palos Heights, IL; former Assistant Coach for North Callaway High School, Kingdom City, MO; former pitcher for Chicago State University, led team in appearances and lowest ERA as freshman, led team in wins as a sophomore; four year varsity player for for Alan B. Shepard High School, Palos Heights, IL; SICA High School All Star Representative; named All Area First Baseman one year; named All Area Pitcher one year. 



 

 

 

 

 

 


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