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.:
Pitching, catching and fielding lessons with Eli are available for athletes of all ages.
Rob Nicholson
Rob honed his skills growing up in Central California. He turned Professional at the age of 18 years old. After playing for 5 years, injuries altered his playing aspirations and guided him to teaching the sport he so cherished. He has dedicated over 3 decades as a Head Professional and Golf Instructor. He looks forward to seeing his students and our golf community grow.
Jaxson Webb
Jaxson is a Lawrence, Kansas native having graduated from Lawrence Free State High School in 2019. Jaxson played baseball, basketball and football throughout high school and went on to play baseball at the collegiate level at Fort Hays State University.
At A-Team Sports, Jaxson specializes in hitting lessons for baseball players at all levels. Jaxson strives to help players sharpen their skills, grow confidence, and become better both on and off the field. He strongly believes the game of baseball was made for players to be competitive. However, most importantly, to have fun he designs his lessons to be just that.
Lessons Available with Jaxson.:
Hitting and fielding with all ages.
Johnathan Riggins
Born and raised in Lawrence. Always had a glove or bat in his hand. Johnathan played baseball in the DCABA system from 5 years old all the way up until he was in high school. Johnathan attended Lawrence High School and played baseball all four years. Johnathan umpired youth DCABA baseball for 3 years. Johnathan has got to work with great coaches who are from the Lawrence community, Mike Byrn as one of the many.
At A-Team Sports, Johnathan wants to create a fun and supportive learning environment to help each kid achieve their goals. He wants to share the knowledge that he has developed from playing, he wants to help kids grow their knowledge for the game.
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Lessons Available with Johnathan:
Hitting and Infield lessons available for kids of all ages.
Zach Sanford
Zach played for four years at Glenville State (NCAA D2). He majored in Athletic Coaching and Mental Conditioning. Zach spent a year in the Pecos league with the Garden City Wind. He spent time with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers in the United Shores Professional Baseball League. Zach was the hitting coach at North Point High School in Maryland from 2018-2020. He has been a private hitting coach in Maryland since 2020 and recently moved to Kansas.
Lessons Available with Zach.:
Hitting Lessons are available for athletes of all ages.
Charlie Peters
Charlie is a senior playing at FreeState High School. He was born in Reno, Nevada, and moved to Lawrence 6 years ago. Charlie has started at third, short, and second since my sophomore year at FreeState. After graduating this year, he plans to go to college and further his baseball career. Charlie wants to share his knowledge of the game with every kid and show them that you can work hard and focus while still having fun.
Lessons Available with Charlie.:
Hitting and Infield lessons for ages 14 and under.