John Steele
Director of Pitching
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
Fort Worth Southwest High School
St. Mary’s University (BS in Exercise Sports Science)
Texas Wesleyan University (MS in Physiology)
Experience
Played at Fort Worth Southwest High School which participated in 5A State Championship (1989)
Played at Murray State College
Played at perennial national contender St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX
NAIA Baseball National Championship participant (1995)
Began his coaching career at Texas Wesleyan University
Joined the Texas Rangers player development staff (1996-1999)
Over two decades of experience developing pitchers at the high school, collegiate and professional levels
Founder and Lead Instructor Dynamic Pitching Institute (1995)
Director of Pitching On Deck Academy (2011-present)
Mark Mennitt
Director of Catching Academy & Player Development
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
Independence High School
Mars Hill College (BA in History/Social Studies Education)
Experience
Played in High School at Independence High School and was a State Champion (1984)
Head Baseball Coach for 24 years (Independence, Parkwood, Marvin Ridge)
Won 12 conference titles as a head coach
Won 11 Coach of the Year Awards
Appeared in 4 Regional Championships & won back-to-back State Championships at Marvin Ridge HS (2015, 2016)
Sam Menegat
Director of Marketing
Instructor/Coach
Hometown
Eugene, Oregon
Education
South Eugene High School
Mt. Hood Community College (AA in English)
University of Illinois at Chicago (BA in Communication, MS in Marketing)
Experience
Was a 3x All-Conference and 2x All-State selection at South Eugene
Selected to the Oregon All-State Team in 2016
Played American Legion for the Willamette Valley Titans (2014-2016)
Played at Mt. Hood Community College. Was their ace for both years (2017-2018)
Earned 1st Team All-NWAC honors his sophomore year (2018)
Helped lead the 2019 UIC Flames to an NCAA Regional (Louisville)
Was a 4x Pitcher of the Week in the Horizon League (2019, 2022)
Graduated with Magna Cum Laude Honors from both Undergraduate and Graduate School (2020, 2022)
Played Professionally with the Boise Hawks in the Pioneer League (2023)
Coached the Willamette Valley Titans for 2 years (2019, 2020)
Keith Olmo
Director of Performance Training
Instructor/Coach
Hometown
Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Education
Lenoir-Rhyne University (MS in Exercise Science)
University of South Carolina Beaufort (BS in Public Health)
Edison State College (AS)
CSCS and NSCA Certified
Experience
Started at shortstop for ESC, led team in most offensive and defensive categories
Started at shortstop for USCB, team captain for 2 years
Was a PT tech at Wellness Institute from 2020-2021
Has been a stretch practitioner since 2021
Coached at Mission Travel Baseball, leading his teams to several championships
Was an Strength & Conditioning Coach at D1 Training
Currently the head S&C coach for the South Mecklenburg HS Baseball Team
Matt Hill
Instructor/Coach
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
South Mecklenburg High School
Wingate University
Northeast Texas Community College (AS in Business Management)
Emory and Henry College
Experience
Four-year varsity player at South Mecklenburg High School
All-Conference selection
Most Outstanding Player (2019)
MVP Award (2020)
Team Captain (2019)
2019 On Deck O’s
Multiple PG All-Tournament Team Selections
Signed with Wingate University (2019-2020)
Transferred to Northeast Texas Community College (2020-2022)
Played in the PRIBL for the Aguada Bucaneros (Puerto Rico) (2022)
Played for SCBL Vipers (2022)
Transferred to Emory and Henry College
Played for the Coastal Ironbirds (2023)
More than seven years of experience giving lessons and working camps at On Deck Academy
Jason Bilous
Instructor
Hometown
Wilmington, Delaware
Education
Caravel Academy
Coastal Carolina University
Experience
Drafted by the Dodgers in the 29th Round of the 2015 MLB Draft
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 13th Round of the 2018 MLB Draft
Played on the 2016 Coastal Carolina team that won an NCAA Division-1 National Championship
Played in the prestigious Cape Cod League (CCL) for 2 summers (2016, 2017) for the Cotuit Kettlers
Was on the 40-man roster for the White Sox in 2021
Pitched at the Triple-A Level with the White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians
(Charlotte Knights in 2021-2023, Columbus Clippers in 2023-2024)
Played for the Chicago Dogs in the American Association (2024)
Ivan Juez
Instructor/Coach
Hometown
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Education
South Mecklenburg High School
Experience
Played at South Mecklenburg High School
Represented Ecuador’s national team from 2014-2017
Coach at On Deck since 2022
Lamar Briggs
Instructor
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
Davidson Day School
Jackson State University (BS in Health, Physical Education, & Recreation)
Experience
4x All-Conference and All State Selection at Davidson Day
1st Team All-SWAC Honors (2017), 2nd Team All-SWAC Honors (2015, 2018)
Played professionally with the Westside Wooly Mammoths of the United Shores Professional Baseball League (2020, 2021)
2021 USPBL Batting Title and MVP
Played professionally for the Lake County Dockhounds of the American Association (2022)
Played professionally for the Gastonia Honey Hunters of the Atlantic League (2023)
Played professionally for the Tri City Valleycats of the Frontier League (2023)
Mike Robinson
Performance & Training Coach
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Experience/Certifications
Certified through PPSC in 1:1 Personal Training
Decade plus experience in Athletic/Sports Specific Performance Training (Baseball & Football)
Was a Personal Trainer at LA Fitness
Former Coach at Body20 (EMS Training)
Janine Hill
Instructor
Hometown
Somerville, NJ
Education
Somerville High School
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (BA in Mathematics)
Experience
Played at Somerville High School (NJ).
Earned 12 Varsity Letters during high school career
Was an All-Conference selection in softball, basketball, and field hockey
Inducted into the Somerville High School Hall of Fame (2000)
Four-year starter at UNC Charlotte
Remains in the top five in nearly every career offensive and pitching category at UNC Charlotte
Drafted and played professionally for the Durham Dragons of the WPFSL (1999)
Served as Head Coach at West Mecklenburg H.S. (2000)
Head Softball Coach at Central Cabarrus H.S. (2001-02), where she led the 2001 Vikings team to the NC State Finals
3X Conference Coach of the Year (Southwestern 4A in 2000, MECA-8 in 2002, MECA-8 in 2003)
NC State Certified Math Teacher (West Mecklenburg HS, Central Cabarrus HS, JM Robinson HS, Hickory Ridge HS, South Mecklenburg HS)
Head Coach On Deck Lady O’s (2005-2006) & On Deck Angels (2012-2013)
Youth League Softball Coach SPYA (2008-2012)
Head Softball Coach Quail Hollow Middle School (2014-2015)
Head Coach Team NC-Hill (2018-2019)
Assistant Coach at South Mecklenburg (2021-2023)
Math Teacher at Charlotte Teacher Early College (2023-present)
Over 25 years of coaching and instructional experience
Emily Hill
Instructor
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
South Mecklenburg High School
Maryville College (BA in Elementary Education)
Experience
A four-year starter at South Mecklenburg High School
3x Academic All-Conference selection
Coach’s Award (2017)
Coach’s Award (2018)
Most Spirited Award (2017)
MVP Award (2020)
Charlotte Observer Female Student-Athlete of the Year (2020)
Team Captain (2017-2020)
Miss On Deck O Award for (Commitment, Leadership, Competitiveness, Coachability, Professionalism)
Tom Little Scholarship Recipient
Played for Team NC-Mele & Team NC-Hill
Started as a freshman for the Maryville Scots (2021)
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship Recipient (2021-2022)
Started every game as a freshman for the Scots
As a sophomore posted a .314 batting average, .413 slugging percentage, led the team in RBIs (32), and had 38 hits in 39 games (2022)
As a junior had a .311 batting average, .374 OBP, .369 SLG. Led the Scots with 21-game on-base streak that resulted in a .349 average. During that stretch, tied for team season best with a 10-game hitting streak and batted .353 (12-for-34) during that hitting clip.
More than six years of experience giving lessons and working camps at On Deck Academy and Maryville College
1st Team CCS All Conference (2024)
CCS Tournament Champion (2024)
2-Time Academic All Conference
Led the conference with a .541 batting average (2024)
Had an overall batting average of .386 and an OPS of .904 (2024)
Had a team-leading 16-game hit streak (2024)
Maryville College Outstanding Preservice Elementary Education Award
Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Recipient
NCAA DIII Montgomery Regional Participant
NCAA DIII Montgomery Regional All-Tournament Team selection
Jimmy Kerley
Instructor
Hometown
Indian Trail, NC
Education
Sun Valley High School
Kutztown University
Experience
Sun Valley High School Baseball Standout
Entering senior year at Kutztown University, 3-year starter at 3rd base
Started 49 games in 2024 Season at Kutztown
Had a .321 batting average, 55 hits, 6 doubles, 7 home runs, and 38 RBI (2024)
Started 113 games in his career at Kutztown
.287 batting average, 115 hits, 18 doubles, 14 home runs, and 76 RBI (2022-2024)
2024 PSAC All-Conference Award-Winner
Carter Heller
Coach
Hometown
Quakertown, PA
Education
Faith Christian High School
Hartford Community College
Gardner-Webb University
Experience
Was a 3-year star at Faith Christian High School (2016-2019)
4x First-Team All-League Honors
Won a State Championship (2017), 3 district championships (2017, 2018, 2019)
Bicentennial League MVP
Was a Pre-Season Perfect Game All American
Attended Hartford Community College
Went 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA as a Freshman (2020)
Transferred to Gardner-Webb University
Hunter Carrington
Instructor
Hometown
Buchanan, Michigan
Education
Buchanan High School
Muskegon Community College
University of Tennessee Southern
Experience
Played for Buchanan High School
Won the 2022 3A State Championship
Played at Muskegon Community College from 2022-2024
Transferred to the University of Tennessee Southern in 2024
Travis Hill
Coach
Hometown
Charlotte, NC
Education
Vance High School
Pfeiffer University
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Experience
Played at West Charlotte High and Vance High School
Was an All-Conference and All-State selection
Powerade/NC State Games participant (Region 6-1997)
Played American Legion baseball for Post 287
Played at Pfeiffer University
Played at UNC Charlotte
Chris Detweiler
Instructor/Coach
Hometown
Solon, Ohio
Education
Solon High School
University of Louisville
Kent State University (BA in Geological Sciences with a Minor in Secondary Science Education)
Experience
A four-year starter at Solon High School
Signed with and played SS and CF for the University of Louisville (1997-1998)
Transferred and played for three years at Kent State University (1998-2001)
Team Captain for Kent State (2001)
Led Kent State to a Mid-American Tournament Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance (2001)
Served as the student assistant coach at Kent State University (2002)
Taught at Hopewell High School and Lake Norman Charter High School
Served as the head baseball coach at Lake Norman Charter from 2010-201
Started the varsity program as Lake Norman Charter opened
Currently teaches AP Physics, Honors Physics, Astronomy, and Earth Science at Stuart Cramer High School in Gaston County
On Deck Coach and Instructor since 2010
Ben Krise
Coach
Hometown
Pittsburgh, PA
Education
Seneca Valley High School
University of Richmond (BA in Criminal Justice, Minors in Spanish and Sociology)
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (MS in Criminology)
Experience
A four-year starter at Seneca Valley High School (SS, P, 1B)
First Division 1 scholarship athlete from SVHS
Received full scholarship and played four years at University of Richmond (1990-1994)
Played in Upstate New York wooden bat league for Little Falls Diamonds (1991)
Played in Shenandoah Valley Collegiate baseball league for Front Royal Virginia (1992)
Signed and pitched in 12 games for Zanesville Ohio independent league (1994)
Cam McKenzie
Coach
Hometown
Royal Oak, Michigan
Education
Royal Oak High School
Macomb Community College
Oakland University (BA in History)
Experience
Played at Royal Oak High School
School single season record holder for batting average (.541)
School carrier record holder for batting average (.473)
Made the 2013 and 2014 All-District Teams
Made the 2014 All-Conference Team
Played at Macomb Community College (2014 & 2015)
Carrier .305 batting average while at Macomb
Assistant Coach at Royal Oak High School for 6 seasons
Part of the 2017 District Championship Team
Part of the 2019 and 2022 League Championship Teams
Currently an assistant coach at Porter Ridge High School
Social Studies teacher at Porter Ridge High School
Mike Ladka
Coach
Hometown
Monroe, NY
Education
Monroe-Woodbury High School
Elmira College
BA in History/Social Studies Education
Experience
Sullivan County Community College in Coch Sheldrake, NY
Elmira College
Team Captain of Elmira College Baseball Team (2016)
Holds single game RBI record at Elmira College
Holds single season appearance record Elmira College
2x Hudson Valley Collegiate Baseball League All-Star
Pitching Coach at Marvin Ridge High School
Mike Hennessey
Coach
Hometown
Danbury, CT
Education
Maryland Institute, College of Art (BFA)
Experience
Head Coach and Program Head at Charlotte Country Day School
Has taken Charlotte Country Day in each full season as Head Coach
Inducted into the Canterbury School Sports Hall Of Fame
Active board member with Non-Profit Organization Baseball For Life