Our Coaches

Academy of Baseball is led by active high school head coaches and experienced club coaches. Our coaching quality and player-development focus are the core of what we offer families.

Mike Shaw

Mike Shaw

Director of Baseball · Head Coach

  • Playing background: Prep ball at Jackson High School and Canton Central Catholic (Canton, OH) as a center fielder and pitcher. Earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Akron, pitching and playing center field for two seasons. Drafted in the 17th round by the Kansas City Royals, opting to continue his education.
  • Coaching background: Six years coaching baseball in Southern California, most recently as head coach of the Classical Academy baseball program. Builds programs on four pillars: discipline, dedication, team unity, and communication.
  • Age groups: 14U – 18U · oversees all AoB coaching
  • Philosophy: Development-focused, ensuring each player’s growth is at the forefront — developing well-rounded young individuals, not just skilled baseball players.
Pete Lopez

Pete Lopez

14U Head Coach

  • Playing background: Collegiate ball at College of the Sequoias (two seasons) and Fresno State (one season).
  • Coaching background: Roughly 20 years coaching youth club ball, including ~14 years with EGSL and six years with the Breakers organization. EGSL national champion; multiple top-20 finishes at PGF. Brings that championship club experience back to baseball with Academy of Baseball.
  • Age groups: 14U
  • Philosophy: Youth development is the foundation — connecting with young players and helping them grow improves everything else on and off the field.
Travis Gerke

Travis Gerke

Operations · 13U Head Coach

  • Coaching background: 10 years of year-round youth baseball coaching across Florida and California, spanning Pony League (board member), Babe Ruth (league VP), Little League, and travel ball. Member of the inaugural cohort of the Driveline Baseball Youth Development coaching program (2020).
  • Data & development: Holds a doctorate in statistics from Harvard. Applies data-driven methods to player development and organizational decision support, with open-source contributions to the broader baseball analytics community.
  • Age groups: 13U · org-wide operations
  • Philosophy: Every rep and every season is information — the goal is to coach with curiosity, measure what matters, and help each player compound their improvement over time.
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More coaches to come

Staff additions for Summer / Fall 2026