Meet The Head Coaches

Rob Nelke

head coach and co-founder

Rob Nelke, co-founder, grew up playing sandlot baseball in the suburbs of Chicago. Later he played for Taft High School ( his favorite position is batting ha!) and continued to play sports throughout his life. He has run many marathons and races. Rob is passionate about baseball and helping kids learn the game. When Rob is not flying he will be on the field “ Drillin’ and Skillin”! 

Chris wilson

head coach

Born and raised in Ohio, Chris' dad was a high school and American Legion coach for over 25 years. Chris tagged along with him when he wasn’t playing baseball.  

Chris played little league and then travel baseball while he was in school. After high school he attended Findlay College to further his baseball career. Chris was a college captain and started all four years while earning his degree in Education. He tried out with the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates and moved on to work for the Denny Doyle Baseball School in Orlando. 

Chris opened his own Baseball School in St Pete over 25yrs ago and had several players get drafted and played in the Big Leagues. He invented the RBI STICK and RALLY BALL, a training tool for every level of hitter. It was nominated for new sports idea of the year and was sold in over 50 stores.  Chris then opened All Star Indoor Baseball Training Center to train Little Leaguers to Big Leaguers. He had over 200 members and had 7 Big League players and colleges players from all over the Florida Region train on a weekly basis.   

Chris' son Jacob was a baseball brat traveling along with him when he could barely walk. Jacob became an All-Pinellas County baseball player for three straight years at Canterbury. He also played at Eckerd College and Findlay University.  

Chris opened “The Yard,” a baseball training center, in 2020 and has over 40 clients. He's going on his 33rd year of teaching and being an Athletic Director. Someone asked Chris how he has lasted so many years and his answer is simple - he truly loves the game of baseball and what it has done for himself  and his family.

Brett Morales

head coach

Brett attended King high school and holds several King HS pitching records and was pitching 90-94 MPH as a junior. He was considered a top round draft pick out of high school in 2013 and went to the Florida high school Athletic Association championship game. Accolades he received include: perfect game all-american, Under Armor all-american. 

Brett was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds out of high school.  After spending 2 years at the University of Florida and one at University of Tampa, he was drafted in 2016 and played 3 years in MLB before retiring due to injuries. 
Brett takes bull-pen development to a high level. “Through hard work and dedication” his players (pitchers and position) not only increase velocity, but improve quickness, footwork, and hand-eye coordination. 

Coach Morales provides “next level” drills and personal player mentoring. He encourages our young players and sets them up for success! Be sure to say hello to him and share a baseball story! 

John Padula

head coach

Coach John Padula hails from Rhode Island. He has been playing and coaching for over 20 years, in high school, legion, and amateur leagues. He's played multiple positions, specializing in pitching, and fielding. He has coached teams for kids from 10-15, run summer camps for players aged 7 and up, and run special skills clinics. 

Baseball has been his passion his whole life. He wants to help youth players stay in the game and develop into better players. John wants to give back to our community what the game of baseball has given to him. Coaching the “greatest game in the world” is what fills John’s bucket!

Jody Odom

head coach

head coach

Tyler Moran

juan brito

Junior head Coach

head Coach

Tyler Moran is rising junior catcher at Jesuit high school. He has played baseball ever since he was 3 and loves it. He is a former player at Northeast little league, where he played for the All Star teams for 4 years and made it to the state championships twice. Tyler developed a championship catcher for the 2023 Mariners at Northeast Little league in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He has lived in St. Pete for his entire life and attended and graduated from Holy Family Catholic School. He's had the opportunity to work with very experienced players and coaches and is excited to bring his knowledge to Hitt the Mitt!

Juan Brito started playing baseball at a young age. He played 3 years of baseball at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.  He coached Travel Baseball and his coaching philosophy revolves around continual improvement while maintaining the joy of the game. "Baseball transcends backgrounds, fostering teamwork, camaraderie and invaluable life lessons." 

Thomas Beck

john mcdonald

Jacob preston

rey rodriguez

head coach

head coach

head coach

Thomas Beck coached high school baseball for 40 years. He was awarded the 1993 Courier News and Independent Press Baseball Coach Of the Year. He has three state championships and seven district titles under his belt! 

Jacob Preston played Varsity as a high school freshman. He went to Cooperstown NY twice with his travel baseball team and won a State Championship. In college, he walked onto a D3 team. Coach Preston has lots of coaching experience in hitting, fielding, catching & pitching drills. His main goal as a coach "is to teach kids how to play the game AND enjoy it!" 

Rey Rodriguez was a Varsity pitcher for 3 years at Seminole High School as well as a World Series Contender at Webber International University. He was Named 2nd Team All Conference, Preseason All American.  Rey played for the Utica Unicorns (USBL), Florence Yalls (Frontier) & Rocky Mountain Vibes (Pioneer League) after college. He wants to "develop young athletes to strive to meet their maximum potential."

Coach Jody Odom is a locally-grown baseball player and coach. He was the Infield coach for Hollins High School where he also attended as a student. Jody helped develop a club baseball program at USF Saint Petersburg where they went on to achieve a top 15 national ranking in NCBA Division 2!

John McDonald made his first All Star team at age 4 & won a State Championship. He played big tournaments in Travel Ball such as the Elite 32 at Disney World. John also played Varsity in high school and went to the 7A Playoffs.  He had a school record of 45 RBI’s in a season. John received an athletic & academic scholarship to Austin Peay State University where he was a 4 year starter on 1st base and hit .312. It is important to Coach McDonald to see his athletes grow as players but also as people."