Whitney Rothwell
Whitney was born and raised in Lawrence and has loved the game of softball since she was a child. She attended Lawrence Free State High School where she played softball all four years on the varsity level. She shined both offensively and defensively, earning her multiple all-state honors. She went on to play for Highland Community College and was an Academic All American. While at Highland she had the privilege of learning from some of the best in the game. Working with the likes of Taylor Schlopy and Heidi Jordan were highlights for Whitney.
Although Whitney suffered an injury that ended her fast-pitch career, she knew that she could never be done with softball. She found a way to continue playing by excelling in slow-pitch softball at the highest level, allowing her to travel the United States, doing what she loves. For the past three years, she has been on the USSSA Major Watch List for USSSA Slow-Pitch Softball.
Whitney states that for her, learning about the game never stops. “I want to pass on my love for the sport and dive into my passion of teaching this beautiful game that I’ve been playing since I was a little girl.” She is also in the process of pursuing a career in massage therapy where she plans to work with and help other athletes.
Lessons Available with Whitney:
Batting, fielding or catching lessons are available with Whitney for athletes of all ages.
David Klaus
David is a former pitcher who, due to a shoulder injury, kept himself in the game by choosing a career path in physical therapy with an emphases on pitching mechanics and analysis. He graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelors in Athletic Training and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He currently works for LMH Physical Therapy and sees patients at the West Campus, specializing in musculoskeletal injuries sustained during athletic activity. He also completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Rehabilitation Baseball Overhead Athlete Certification in its inaugural year.
When not working at OrthoKansas, he helps train local pitchers to improve their mechanics and velocity. He also performs pitching analysis using software to help pitchers understand where their mechanics are compared to collegiate and MLB pitchers.
Lessons Available with David:
Batting or pitching lessons are available with David for athletes ages 9-18.
Kristen Hayes
Kristen grew up in Eastern Kansas and played competitive softball from a very young age. She played varsity for four years at Washburn Rural High School. She played in a state tournament as a freshman and was voted All City Team her sophomore year. Kristen has been a Physical Therapy Assistant for 14 years and loves to use those skills to study physical movement, mechanics and techniques that she can apply in her pitching and training.
Kristen is passionate about developing young pitchers as that was her primary position, until suffering an ankle injury in a basketball game. She emphasizes strength and conditioning in her pitching training to help reduce the risk of injury. Softball provided Kristen with amazing experiences and opportunities that she wants to share with younger generations coming up in the game.
Lessons Available with Kristen:
Softball pitching lessons are available with Kristen for athletes of all ages.
Eli Goodell
Eli grew up in Lawrence and has played baseball since childhood. He comes from a family of professional ball players who have played for the White Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, The Navy and Emporia State. Eli played on Lawrence High’s first state championship team in 1996 and continued his career at Cowley College and KU, winning a National Championship in 1998. In 2019, he was inducted into the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame. Today, Eli continues to play in Kansas City as a pitcher and catcher from April-October in the MSBL.
Eli’s coaching philosophy relies on working hard to build self-esteem by validating effort and understanding. He does not believe that one approach works for all players and is able to adapt his teaching to best benefit the individual. He generates opportunities to help players recognize results and inspire action. He looks forward to teaching younger players and giving back to the game he loves.
Lessons Available with Eli G.:
Pitching, catching and fielding lessons with Eli are available for athletes of all ages.
Randy Kohl
Randy was born and raised in Ellis, Kansas. He grew up an all sport athlete, playing collegiate football. He has lived in Lawrence since 2019 with his wife and two kids.
Over the years, Randy has coached various levels of baseball. At A-Team Sports he specializes in hitting lessons for beginner athletes. His goal for young athletes is to create a fun environment and grow their confidence level in the batters box.
Lessons Available with Randy:
Batting and fielding lessons are available with Randy for athletes ages 5-10.
Eli Young
Eli grew up in Gilbert, Arizona. He’s played baseball since he was 8 years old and is currently playing for Baker University. He has been around the game his entire life, as his father was a 17 year professional baseball player, including a season in 1998 with our Royals! Growing up in professional locker rooms and being surrounded by baseball made him realize he wanted a future in that world. Eli has played for two D1 programs as well as for a summer league that was sponsored by the MLB and USA Baseball.
Eli feels the best part about playing baseball is the fun you have while doing it! He is excited to share this joy for the game and knowledge of what makes a great player with the community.
Lessons Available with Eli:
Batting, fielding and catching lessons are available with Eli for athletes of all ages.
Jackson Hewins
Jackson was born and raised in Lawrence and has pitched and played infield since childhood.
In 2018, a UCL injury almost took him out of the game he loves, but with grit, determination, and a top-notch surgeon, Jackson was back on the mound in 11 months to play his fourth and final season at Lawrence High School. Following his senior season, Jackson pitched at Baker University where he played for two seasons, until a shoulder injury ended his playing days.
Jackson has coached children of all ages in multiple sports, most recently, a team of high school freshman players in the MB fall baseball league. Throughout his life, Jackson has had to learn how to overcome adversity to achieve his goals. He is eager to continue to grow as a coach utilizing all he has learned to help players grow both on and off the field.
Lessons Available with Jackson:
Pitching, batting and fielding lessons are available with Jackson for athletes of all ages.
Clare Channel
Clare was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. She started her softball career at the age of 9 as a pitcher and first baseman. She played for the Wichita Mustangs and ended her club years with Tulsa Elite. She played varsity softball all four years of her high school career at Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Throughout the years playing she had the privilege of being taught by some of the best in the game; including, Charlotte Morgan and Megan Miller. Following high school, Clare played for the University of Texas Dallas where due to a chronic injury, had to end her playing career.
Despite no longer being able to play, she still has a passion and love for the sport that she wants to share with other athletes. Although she’s not able to use her talents on the field, she can use them to help others. Having been part of an organization, she has experience teaching and coaching players of all ages.
Clare’s coaching ideology stems from the understanding that no player is the same. “Players are diverse; therefore, each one requires a unique kind of coaching. It is my goal to support what works best for them and helps them to achieve their dreams.”
Lessons Available with Clare:
Pitching, catching, batting and fielding lessons are available with Clare for athletes of all ages.
Bella Garcia
Bella grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas and played competitive softball through Buhler High School
and Lady Express Club in McPherson, Kansas. An injury to her shoulder prevented her from continuing to play but shifted her onto the path of coaching.
She has worked with a variety of age groups from 10U up to coaching at Bonner Springs High school. She prides herself in her knowledge of the game and loves teaching it to anyone with drive. Bella also has experience in guiding athletes and their families through the journey to playing at the collegiate level. Bella’s coaching philosophy focuses on sharing her love and knowledge of the game with other athletes.
Lessons Available with Bella:
Batting, infield fielding, catching and beginner pitching lessons are available with Bella for athletes of all ages.
Jayce Meyer
Jayce is an active NCAA Division II left-handed pitcher at Oklahoma Christian University. As a sophomore, he led his team in ERA (2.9) and as a junior, he led his team in the strikeout-to-walk ratio. During his freshman year, he attended Fort Hays State University where he had three starts. In high school, Jayce was selected to play in two all-star games. In his junior year, he participated in the Kansas Select All-Star game, and in his senior year, he was selected to compete in the Wichita/Kansas City All-Star game.
With elite coaches by his side, Jayce has become a dedicated player and experienced coach in his own right. He has assisted in many practices and clinics for kids ranging in age from 8-18. Jayce's coaching philosophy encourages the values of confidence, hard work, intensity and high standards both on and off the field. He is extremely passionate about the game and would love to help kids in the area be at the top of their game!
Lessons Available with Jayce:
Pitching, hitting and fielding lessons are available with Jayce for athletes of all ages.
Emmaly Dryden
Emmaly has played competitive travel ball in the Kansas City metro area since she was 10 years old. She attended high school at Maur Hill Mount Academy where during her freshman and sophomore years she earned NEK All League Infield and All State Honorable Mention. Her junior and senior years were sidetracked by both Covid and a torn ACL.
At the collegiate level, Emmaly signed to play with Ave Maria University, an NAIA school located in Florida. Since then, Emmaly has transferred home, to KU, where she is an active member of the KU Club Softball team.
Her coaching philosophy is that having solid fundamentals to build on is what elevates your game and is the key to achieving your goals!
Lessons Available with Emmaly:
Hitting and fielding lessons are available with Emmaly for athletes of all ages.