Throughout my career I have been fortunate to have several great coaches come into my life. They have all helped me in one way or another develop as a player as well as an individual. They have taught me how to play the game and be a leader both on and off the field. To them I owe all of my success.
I regularly use the following coaches and instructors to continually improve my skills and game. Included at the end of each bio is contact information.
Robert (Bob) Bafia Sr. served as Head Baseball Coach at Cal State University Dominguez Hills for 13 years and had 45 student athletes sign professional baseball contracts during his tenure. He was involved with Connie Mack youth baseball and has participated in baseball camps and clinics for the past 20 plus years. Prior to his college coaching experience, Coach Bafia also served as Associate Scout for the Cincinnati Reds for 5 years. Coach Bafia is currently the Head Coach and Program Director of the San Diego Longhorns Baseball Club, and Assistant Coach of the San Diego Flyers “Rookies” developmental baseball program.
Robert Bafia Jr. earned First Team All PACC, Team MVP, and 1985 MVP Best in the West Classic while playing on a baseball scholarship for Fresno State University where he lettered each year. Coach Robert was drafted in the 6th round of the 1985 MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs and played the next 9 years professionally for the Cubs and Oakland A’s. During his playing tenure he also attended the Arizona Instructional League for 6 years, and also played in Mexico and Italy. During the off season, he was a baseball instructor at Wake Forest University and Mendocino Junior college. Coach Robert also coached with Phil Nevin and Paul Abbott with the Orange County Flyers of the Golden State Independent League. Coach Robert Bafia, the son of Longhorns Head Coach Bob Bafia, is the Assistant Head Coach of the San Diego Longhorns Baseball Club and Head Coach of the newly formed San Diego Flyers Baseball Club.
California Community College Coaches Hall of Fame Coach Olsen’s legacy includes a 516-373-7 record at Grossmont College, which places him among the state’s top-10 winningest community college coaches. On top of that are the 380 wins he garnered in the high school ranks. Coach Olsen, as a mentor and role model, has seen 35 of his players go on to coaching jobs at the collegiate and professional levels. Additionally, Coach Olsen has helped 318 players continue their education by getting recruited with baseball scholarships into four year colleges, along with a total of 108 players he’s helped sign pro contracts. Among those Olsen has helped advance are 14 players who have reached the major leagues, including Marcus Giles, Joe Kennedy, Matt Hensley, Kevin Correia, Steve Phoenix, John Barnes, Mike Hartley, Mike Judd, Tom Fordham.
Randy Abshier just finished his 10th season as the Head Coach of the Grossmont College Baseball Program. Prior to the head coaching job, Randy was the Grossmont Pitching Coach for 4 years and Pitching Coach at Southwestern Community College for 4 years prior to that. Coach Abshire played college ball at Southwestern Community College (1989-1990). He began his career as Head Coach at Marian Catholic High School, in San Diego, helping win their first CIF Championship. In 1997, Abshier coached the Pueblo Chieftains, a Semi-Pro club who played in the Jay Hawk and Mink Leagues. The following year, Abshier became the Pitching Coach for the Barona Stars, a Semi-Professional club in San Diego; helping them win the Western Regional Conference, garner a birth in the National Baseball Congress (NBC) playoffs, and finished 13th in the nation. Abshier was also a former associate scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Ryan Lehr was an Atlanta Braves 8th-round draft-pick in 1997. Ryan’s professional baseball experience spanned over 12 years as a player in both affiliated and independent baseball having played in the Braves, Orioles, Angels, Astros, and Royals Organization. Toward the end of his professional career in independent baseball, Lehr hit .322 and was among the Central League leaders in several categories. He ranked 7th in hitting; tied for the league lead in RBI with 74; was second in hits (119) and had 26 doubles (4th). That year he was selected to the All-Star Game where he was the starting third basemen for the Central League vs. the Northeast League. Coach Lehr brings an unrivaled knowledge of hitting mechanics that he honed under the tutelage of Reggie Smith, a seven-time MLB All Star and Professional Hitting Coach for USA Baseball. Under the direction of Reggie Smith, Ryan has developed an appraoch to hitting instruction that focuses on the physics and biomechanics of the power swing.
Chad Williams has just been hired as the new Varsity Head Coach at Grossmont High School. Prior to this, Coach Williams was an opposing coach at two rival high schools. Most recently as the Varsity Head Coach at Monte Vista High School and formally the Assistant Coach at Granite Hills High School. Williams, who attended and played high school baseball locally at Granite Hills High School, was a three-time all-league selection and two-time team MVP. After high school he spent two years at San Diego State University under hall of famer Tony Gwynn. He then transferred to Chico State where he was an all league selection in his junior season. He compiled a .310 batting average over his two years there, and was fortunate to twice play in the Division-II College World Series. After finishing up his playing career at Chico State, Chad obtained his degree and California Teaching Credentials from SDSU and is currently teaching part time at the high school level.
Bobby Austin….
Perfect Game, Sunshine West Showcase 2012
Perfect Game, Sunshine West Showcase 2012
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