Centerfield Sports Academy
Naperville's Batting Cage Headquarters in the Best Baseball & Softball Facility in DuPage County
Our Coaching Staff
Our coaching staff consists 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.
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 (hitting coach and pitching coach) for Proviso West High School Varsity Baseball Team; 11 years coaching experience; 7 years with the Academy; specializes in baseball pitching, hitting. catching and fielding instruction and in fastpitch softball hitting and fielding instruction.
Valerie Wood
Current Assistant Varsity Softball Coach for Metea Valley High School; current Physical Education Teacher for Still Middle School; former coach of Naperville Diamonds 16U College Exposure Team; former freshman softball coach for Neuqua High School; 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; 5 years coaching experience; 2 years with the Academy; specializes in fastpitch softball pitching, hitting, and fielding instruction.
Chris Chelich
Former Coach of Northern Illinois University Baseball Club; 11 years coaching experience with Academy; current head coach of an 8U fastpitch softball team and current head coach of a coach-pitch softball team; specializes in baseball and fastpitch and slowpitch softball hitting, fielding and catching instruction.
Andrew Beatty
Former professional left-handed pitcher for the Chicago White Sox organization; drafted by Chicago White Sox in 2005; former pitcher for Southern Illinois University Cougars baseball team; star pitcher for West Aurora High School, where he still holds hitting records; first team All-Area and Conference selection as a senior at West Aurora High School; 2 years coaching experience; specializes in baseball pitching, hitting, and fielding instruction.
Mike
Gerts
Current player for Aurora Marlins Raul Rivera Baseball League; 5 years youth baseball coaching experience; former hitting and
pitching instructor for Chicago Bulls White Sox Training Academy;
player/manager for DuPage Irish SUmmer Wood Bat Organization (High
School/College Level); founder of Players Indoor Sports Center's Indoor
Youth Baseball League; specializes in baseball hitting and fielding
instruction.
Todd Zasadil
9 years youth baseball coaching experience; current assistant baseball coach for Harper Community College; former assistant varsity baseball coach for St. Charles East High School; former assistant baseball coach for Benedictine University; former instructor for Chicago Bulls White Sox Training Academy; B.S. in Physical Education, North Central College; specializes in baseball fielding, hitting, and catching instruction.
Stu Kalkoven-- 20+ years of youth baseball coaching experience; President and Co-founder of the Naperville Renegades Baseball Association since 2005; in that capacity, has overseen the training and development of 6 MLB drafted players and 41 collegiate players; has coached teams to 2 National Championships and 10 Illinois State Championships; and has had 6 teams finish in the top 5 nationally; specializes in baseball pitching, hitting, and fielding instruction.
Centerfield Sports Academy
550 Industrial Drive, Suite B
Naperville, IL 60563
Phone: (630) 416-8666
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