Instructors

We have a great coaching staff and team of instructors. Our line up of coaches include:

  • Mike Thrun - Lead Instructor and Recruiting Coordinator / 17U Cardinal Coach
    • 1st Team All Conference at UW-Stevens Point
    • Earned 3 WIAC Conference Tournament Championships
    • Has coached 8 players who are currently playing or played professionally
    • Works with and trains former PTA Pro/College players
    • PTA Coach since 2015
  • Adam Dewane - Lead Instructor and Program/Communications Coordinator / 11U Cardinal Coach
    • Coached several teams ranging from 9U to 17U
    • Adam is great with the players and focuses on building confidence and staying positive, particularly with our younger players.
    • Adam will be coaching our 11U team this coming season as well as serving as one of our off-season Lead Instructors.
    • Adam works with and trains former PTA Pro/College players
    • PTA Coach since 2016
  • Sal Bando Jr. - Lead Instructor and Program Manager / 15U Cardinal Coach
    • 20+ years of coaching experience at various levels
    • Coached at D1 High Point University, D2 UW-Parkside and current coach at Marquette University High School
    • Big South Conference Coach of the year 2006
    • 1993 College World Series appearance and Big Eight All Conference Honors at Oklahoma State
    • PTA Coach since 2018
  • Travis Thompson - Lead Instructor / Cardinal Coach
    • Drafted in the 12th Round in 1996 by the Rockies
    • Helped Madison Area Technical College win two national tournament games and led them to their first-ever national championship
    • National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series All-Tournament team in 1995 and All-Conference, All-State, All-Region and All-American honors in 1996
    • Selected to play for Team USA in the 2005 Pan Am Games in Mexico
    • Works with and trains former PTA Pro/College players
    • PTA Coach since 2015
  • Christ Conley - Lead Instructor
    • Currently plays catcher for the Milwaukee Milkmen
    • Perfect Game College Baseball League Player of the Year 2017
    • Played at Canisius College
    • Played for the Utica Unicorns in 2018
    • PTA Coach since 2020
  • Myles Smith - Lead Instructor/14U Cardinal Coach
    • Drafted in the 4th round by the Boston Red Sox in 2013
    • Currently pitches for the Milwaukee Milkmen
    • American Association Pitcher of the Year in 2021
    • PTA Coach since 2020
  • Matt Read - Lead Instructor / 16U Cardinal Coach
    • Played at Carthage College
    • Coached at High School Varsity level at Bradford High School
    • PTA coach since 2017
  • Jon Rivamonte - Instructor / 12U Coach
    • Played at Concordia College
    • PTA Coach since 2020
  • Pat Krafcheck - Instructor
    • 25+ years coaching youth baseball
    • PTA Coach since 2020
  • Kenny Weimer - Lead Instructor - PTA South
    • Played at Finlandia University
    • PTA Coach since 2023