Baseball Instructor Bios
Chris McKnight-Lead Instructor
Chris completed his second season as the Manager of the Texarkana Gunslingers Minor League Baseball team this past year. He led the Gunslingers to their second straight play-off appearance and league leading batting average. Nine of his players were named to the All-Star team, including HR derby winner and League MVP Trey George. Chris also serves as a Associate Scout for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Prior to his managing stint, Chris spent 18 years as a NCAA Collegiate Head Coach/Associate Director of Athletcs at Frostburg State University and Dowling College. At FSU, McKnight led the Bobcats to 8 straight post season appearances winning the first NCAA regional championship game in the history of the university. He won 100 games faster than any other coach at FSU and led the Bobcats to a 98-28 conference record. The Bobcats won the AMCC conference four times under McKnight and were ranked in the region 2003-2007. While at Dowling College, Chris led the Golden Lions to the ECAC Championship and NYCAC Championship game while garnering a 5th place ranking in the Northeast. His overall collegiate and pro record is 341-209.
McKnight is a sought after clinician, speaking on hitting and vision training. The Baseball Vision Program has been used with Professional baseball clubs, major college and high school programs across the nation. His vision DVD "You Got to see it to Hit it" is a popular coaching aid from little league to the pro's. His website is www.baseballvisionprogram.com.
Chris has authored numerous articles that have appeared in "Scholastic Coach", "Coaching Digest", "Collegiate Baseball Newspaper", and "Coach and Athletic Director". McKnight was the Chair of the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee and serves on the American Baseball Coaches Association Research Committee. Currently, he serves on the Advisory board for Worldwide Baseball Prospects and Team Reaction Pro.
| One Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$75.00 |
| Half Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$45.00 |
| 10 Pack of One Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$700.00 |
| 10 Pack of Half Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$400.00 |
Jeff Schmidt
Major League Pitcher for the California Angels
Jeff brings a wealth of knowledge and professional baseball experience to Hitters SportsPlex. Jeff was a first round draft pick in the MLB draft and pitched professionally for 8 seasons. He made his Major League debut at Yankee Stadium in 1996 and compiled a 2-0 major league record while with the California Angels. His professional accomplishments also include selections to the 1996 and 1997 Triple AAA All-Star teams.
As a collegiate, he was a standout for the Minnesota Gophers Baseball Team and a member of the Gophers Big Ten Championship Team in 1992. His success at the collegiate level earned him the honor of an invitation to the 1991 Olympic Baseball Trials.
Experience
- Member of the University of Minnesota Baseball Team – Two-year Letter Winner
- Invited to 1991 Olympic Baseball Trials
- Member of 1992 Big Ten Championship Team
- 1st Round Draft Pick of California Angels in 1992 Major League Draft (29th pick overall)
- Pitcher in the Arizona Fall League in 1993, 1994 and 1995
- Selected to the 1996 and 1997 Triple-A All-Star Teams
- Made Major League debut on May 17, 1996 (2-0 record)
Jeff earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
| One Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$75.00 |
| Half Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$45.00 |
| 10 Pack of One Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$700.00 |
| 10 Pack of Half Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$400.00 |
Jay Redders
Jay Redders is thrilled to be a part of the instruction staff at Hitters. He has extensive experience as a baseball player, instructor and coach, along with a strong understanding and passion for the game.
Redders played two years at the collegiate level for Madison Area Technical College. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Masters in Education from Aurora University and continued to play competitive baseball in Home Talent league and the Madison City League for an additional 15 years.
Redders has been a Physical Education teacher since 1991 in the Madison and Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Districts and has coached baseball at the high school and youth levels for over 20 years, enjoying a solid track record of success. Over the years he has served as head varsity baseball coach at Waunakee High School, JV baseball coach at Madison West High and freshman baseball coach at Middleton High School. He has been the head coach of competitive youth teams for eight years, leading them to various Division and State championships and trips to Regional tournaments throughout the Midwest. A lifetime resident of Middleton, WI, Redders has served on the Middleton Baseball Commission since 1995.
| One Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$60.00 |
| Half Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$35.00 |
| 10 Pack of One Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$550.00 |
| 10 Pack of Half Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$300.00 |
John Bartlett
John Bartlett has 20 years coaching experience at many levels of play including community youth programs, high school, technical college and Division 3 college. He is also an avid player who has earned 5 National Championships in Fastpitch softball.
John has received training from the Doyle Baseball School and has participated in various training camps. The past 7 years John has been the lead instructor for US Baseball (formally Midwest Baseball Academy).
John is passionate about baseball and teaches with great enthusiasm. He believes strongly in teaching the fundamentals of baseball and enjoys the one-on-one contact that helps to maximize players abilities both physically and mentally.
| One Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$60.00 |
| Half Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$35.00 |
| 10 Pack of One Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$550.00 |
| 10 Pack of Half Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$300.00 |
Ryan Zink
Ryan is currently under contract in the New York Yankees system having been drafted in the 17th round in 2007. Ryan spent last season in the Florida State League as a member of the league champion Tampa Yankees.
The Madison native attended Madison LaFollette High School where he earned WCBA State Player of the Year and Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2003.
Ryan is able to use his professional experience as well as firsthand knowledge gained while playing on the professional level as well as his collegiate career playing at the University of Illinois Chicago under the direction of the well respected Mike Dee.
| One Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$60.00 |
| Half Hour Private Instruction Lesson |
$35.00 |
| 10 Pack of One Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$550.00 |
| 10 Pack of Half Hour Private Instruction Lessons |
$300.00 |