We are very pleased to offer an outstanding lineup of baseball and softball coaches. They are focused on the main disciplines of hitting or pitching. Plus, we can customize a lesson program to cover topics such as positional play and game strategy, just to name a few. Our staff at JGBSA brings a passion for helping players reach their maximum potential as a player and a person.
Baseball Staff Bios
Eddie Holbrook - Director of Baseball
Coach Holbrook, our Director of Baseball, is a Players Edge fixture.
From planning clinics to teaching players of all ages, he has made a positive
impact since at the Academy. In his last year at Trinity International University,
where he came to join his high school coach, Mike Manes, Eddie was a mainstay
in the outfield. A switch-hitter, Eddie also was a member of the University
of Nebraska team that won the 2002 Big 12 championship team and played in the
College World Series. Eddie is a hitting and fielding instructor who has developed
a loyal following.
• University of Nebraska - Big 12
Champion, College World Series
• Trinity International University
- Assistant Coach
• Crusader Baseball, Lincoln, Nebraska
- Head coach |
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Eric Knott
As a collegiate player Knott spent the 2005 and 2006 campaigns with McHenry County College (Crystal Lake, IL). While at McHenry County Knott posted an 18-4 record and was the team leader in strikeouts, complete games, and ERA. During his sophomore season Knott threw the schools first and only perfect game. After a successful career at McHenry County, Knott committed to play with the Augustana Vikings (Rock Island, IL). His success carried over into his junior and senior seasons where more school records would fall. During his junior year Knott set a school record with 97 1/3 innings pitched for the Vikings who would finish the season one game shy of the World Series and a #6 National AP ranking. He went on to lead the team in victories and strikeouts. He posted a 13-7 record with the Vikings. Knott would finish his career with the Vikings as a top five record holder in Wins, ERA, Strikeouts, and Pickoffs. During his four year collegiate career Knott finished with a pitching record of 31-11 and was named all conference four years, All-region two years, and was a Rawlings All-American Gold Glove Award Finalist.
After Graduating with a Masters Degree in Business, Knott began his coaching career at the collegiate level. Knott would spend two years with Tiffin University (Tiffin, OH) where the Dragons set school records for DII wins. After two years with the TU Dragons, he found his way to Dominican University (River Forest, IL) under Coach Steve Hardman. Knott called it quits after 3 seasons of coaching at the collegiate level and has been a member of the Knights coaching staff for two years. |
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Ryan Knott
Ryan began his career at Marian Central Catholic HS (Woodstock, IL) where he was named to the Top 15 Pitching Prospects as well as Top 100 Overall Prospects in Illinois. After having a shortened senior year due to Tommy John Surgery, Knott would sign a National letter of Intent to play at ACC powerhouse Duke University. Knott would serve as a conference starter posting a career record of 8-2 with wins over #1 North Carolina #10 Clemson, Wake Forest, and Virginia Tech. Knott averaged 10K’s per 9IP. He was named All-Conference Academic Team after posting a 2.92 ERA as a freshman. After finishing up his career at Duke University, Knott played for the Eau Claire Express in the Northwoods Summer League with Americas top college prospects and would post a 5-1 record while leading the team in strikeouts. Knott’s fastball was upwards to 95 mph which sparked interest from many professional scouts. Knott’s promising career would come to an end due to injury which would later lead him to the Northern Knights coaching staff. Ryan hopes to bring experience, enthusiasm, and knowledge to the Knights 16U pitching staff for the 2013 season. He is currently enrolled in a Masters Program at Creighton University. |
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Todd Brunschon
Coach Todd Brunschon is the head coach of the 2012 16u Northern Knights Elite Summer Tournament Team. Todd has been an instructor, specializing in hitting and fielding at Players Edge since 2007. Todd graduated From Huntley High School as a 3 time varsity letterman and 3 time team captain. He was a 2 time All-Conference selection and team MVP, leading the team in BA, RBI's, Home Runs, Doubles and Slugging his senior year. Todd went on to play at Trinity International University where he was a 2 year varsity letterman and the Trojan's primary power threat. Todd has coached at all levels including, youth, high school and college age teams. He brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to his coaching as well as an "old school" belief in fundamentals and discipline. Todd likes to say that his teams play baseball "the right way - the way it was meant to be played". |
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Jim Mecir
Jim Mecir brings a major league approach to his teaching and provides his students a knowledge base built on both his playing experience and the coaching he received all throughout his major league career. Coach Mecir typically works with travel and high school pitchers.
Jim was drafted in the 3rd round by the Seattle Mariners in the 1991 amateur draft. A Queens native who grew up rooting for the Yankees, Jim made his major-league debut in Yankee Stadium in 1995 with Seattle. After the season, he was sent to the Bronx with Tino Martinez and Jeff Nelson in a deal that brought Russ Davis and Sterling Hitchcock to the Mariners. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox in August 1997. Selected by Tampa Bay in the November 1997 expansion draft, Jim pitched well for the Devil Rays but fractured his elbow in a freak collision with teammate Rick White the following May. The injury ended his season early, but he recovered the next year and became one of the most sought-after relievers on the trading block that July. Tampa Bay eventually dealt him to Oakland for hot prospect Jesus Colome, and Jim settled in as one of the A's top setup men, filling in at times for closer Jason Isringhausen. One of his main weapons was a screwball, making him one of the few right-handers in baseball history to use the pitch, following in the footsteps of Christy Mathewson and Mike Marshall. Jim received the 2003 Tony Conigliaro Award, presented to a Major League player who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were trademarks of former Boston Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro. |
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Zach Scipione
Coach Scipione brings a positive attitude toward his students and will serve as the Assistant Coach for our 17U Northern Knights Elite Summer Tournament Team. Coach Scipione has given private lessons in hitting, catching, pitching, and fielding for Players Edge throughout his college playing days and continues to do so today. Coach Scipione is currently the catching coach at Harper College. Prior to coaching at Harper, Coach Scipione was the assistant varsity coach and hitting coach at Genoa-Kingston High School (2010) and St. Edward High School in Elgin (2011). Coach Scipione was a high school standout at Conant High School where he earned All-Conference MSL and All-Area honors for Cook County. Coach Scipione earned a scholarship to Judson University and was an All-Conference and All-Region catcher. He is on the top five career records list in multiple categories including; hits, at-bats, doubles, runs, and runs batted in. He held the single season doubles record with 18 in 2007 upon completing his playing career in 2009. |
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Eric Egmer
Eric Egmer serves as positions coach, with a focus on the catcher’s
position, for the Trinity International University Trojans. He graduated from
Constantine High School (Michigan) in 2002. Before Trinity, Coach Egmer attended
Glen Oaks Community College. During his two years as a player for the Trojans
he was the starting catcher and helped lead the team to back to back appearances
in the NCCAA National Tournament. His career average at Trinity was .310 and
he was the defensive player of the year for Trinity in 2005. Coach Egmer joined
the academy’s staff in 2006. He helps lead our baseball clinics as well
as conducting private lessons. |
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Jeff Worth
Jeff Worth comes to us with a slightly different background than other instructors. Jeff was a standout player in the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) and is considered one of the top hitters in the Chicagoland area. Jeff was selected to play left field for the US Senior Masters team. The US team competed in the 1998 World Masters games held in Portland, Oregon.
Jeff led the CNMSBL in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs for a number of seasons. He played on teams that won many regional and national titles. His team won the 2005 38 and over Wood Bat National Championship held in Phoenix, Arizona.
Over the past eight years, Jeff has honed a great approach to teaching the art of hitting, drawn from his work with some of the top hitting coaches nationwide. He takes a true personal interest in his students and loves to see them develop as hitters. He works exclusively with high-end players and travel teams. |
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Brian Betti
Coach Betti joined our staff in 2010. He grew up in Mundelein and played for the Mundelein Mustangs for four years helping to achieve multiple regional championships, become conference champions, and super sectional appearances. Upon graduation from Mundelein High School, he played at Augustana College as an outfielder. Coach Betti has assisted with coaching in the Northern Knights Elite Summer Tournament Team program. At Players Edge, Coach Betti teaches hitting, fielding, and throwing, both in our clinics and in private lessons. |
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Joe Bonadonna
While spending time at Players Edge during the off-season from his minor league career, Coach Bonnadonna has quickly become a favorite amongst both players and their parents. An excellent teacher, Coach Bonnadonna specializes in hitting and fielding, including high-end infield training for older travel and high school players. He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 43rd round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Illinois, where he graduated with a degree in business administration from Illinois and he batted .303 in four seasons. Named Second Team All-Big 10 as a junior, batting .356 with 34 RBIs and 47 runs scored. Earned six varsity letters in football and baseball at Stevenson High School. |
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Zach Borenstein
Another local professional players comes to Players Edge to teach during the off-season. You will find Coach Borenstein in our clinic as well as private lessons. An outfielder, he specializes in teaching young outfielders the proper footwork and mental approach needed to succeed. He also teaches hitting. In his first year as a pro, Coach Borenstein accomplished a lot in just 113 at-bats, hitting 2 HRs, 4 triples, 6 doubles, and driving in 21 runs. He hit .274, he hit .315 with runners in scoring position and had an on-base percentage of .397 and also stole an impressive 12 bases in 13 tries. |
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Kris Ozga
Bio coming soon.
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Matt Miller
Bio coming soon. |
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Nate Alvarado
Bio coming soon. |
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Danny Wells
Bio coming soon. |
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Royce Krueger
Bio coming soon. |
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