Tom O'Connell, the first high school coach to serve as President of the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), recently retired after an illustrious 51-year career in baseball coaching. From 1969 to 2000, he led Pulaski High School in Milwaukee, where his teams achieved a record number of wins. Following his retirement from teaching, he spent 15 years at Catholic Central High School in Burlington, Wisconsin, where his teams won five state championships and reached the state quarterfinals for ten consecutive years. He later revitalized the baseball program at St. Francis High School.

O'Connell has been named National Coach of the Year three times and Midwest Coach of the Year four times. In 1995, he coached the USA Baseball North Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival, and he has been inducted into five Halls of Fame, including the ABCA Hall of Fame, where he was the 16th high school coach ever inducted.

A leader within the ABCA, O'Connell served as President in 2002 and now sits on its Board of Directors. He is also proud of his contributions to the ABCA Code of Ethics and his ongoing work in international baseball through ISG Baseball.

O'Connell has authored three books, including *Coaching Baseball: Techniques and Tactics*, and has been a frequent speaker at clinics across the U.S., Europe, and New Zealand. He has also scouted for several MLB teams and served as Lead Envoy Coach in Germany for Major League Baseball.

Beyond baseball, O'Connell has been actively involved with Milwaukee Irish Fest, where he has served on its Board of Directors. He and his wife Paula have three children and six grandchildren.

Ubaldo Jiménez (born January 22, 1984 in Nagua, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher whose career left a strong mark on the game. Known for his blazing fastball, sharp breaking pitches, and calm presence on the mound, Jiménez pitched in the majors from 2006 to 2017, facing the best hitters in the world for more than a decade.

He made history with the Colorado Rockies by throwing the very first no-hitter in franchise history on April 17, 2010. That same year, he was named an MLB All-Star and earned the honor of starting the All-Star Game for the National League. Over his career, he played for the Rockies, Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles, collecting 114 wins, more than 1,700 strikeouts, and countless memorable outings.

Beyond the numbers, Jiménez built a reputation as a true student of the game. His deep knowledge of pitching mechanics, preparation, and mental toughness made him a respected teammate and mentor in every clubhouse he joined. Even after his final professional appearance in 2020, he has continued to share his passion for pitching, drawing from his vast experience at the very highest level.

As a proud Dominican player, Jiménez has always been part of a close-knit community of fellow countrymen in Major League Baseball—many of whom remain active stars today. His career journey connects him not only to the past and present of the game, but also to its future.

2025 marks Coach Cahill’s 23rd year leading the North Forsyth Raiders baseball program, where his teams have compiled a 382-293-1 record. His overall baseball coaching record stands at 422-315-1, with more than 100 of his players advancing to compete at the next level. He has been honored as both Region Coach of the Year and Forsyth County Coach of the Year four times each.

Coach Cahill is a longtime member of the Georgia Dugout Club, serving as Director of the Senior All-State Games at Mercer University and as part of the Georgia AAAAAA All-State Selection Committee. Nationally, he is active with the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), currently serving as 2nd Vice President, Board of Directors member, and Executive Committee member—the second high school coach ever to hold these roles. He also serves on the ABCA’s Lefty Grove Award Committee and has previously chaired the High School Committee while serving on the All-American/Coach of the Year and Rawlings Gold Glove committees. In addition, he contributes to USA Baseball as a Task Force member, helping select players for international competition.

Coach Cahill has also led the Lady Raiders softball program for 13 seasons (2002–2007, 2017–2024), compiling a 300-170 record. Under his leadership, the Lady Raiders reached the GHSA State Playoffs 10 times, including four trips to the State Finals in Columbus. He has been named Forsyth County and Region Coach of the Year five times each and has coached in the GACA and Georgia Dugout Senior All-Star games.

A University of Florida graduate with a master’s from Nova Southeastern University, Coach Cahill teaches Physical Education and Driver’s Education at North Forsyth. He lives in Cumming, GA, with his wife, Dr. Becky Cahill, and their five children: James, Ryan, Jace, Ella, and Griffin.

Vaughn Robinson is the Director of Skill Development for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he plays a key role in shaping the organization’s approach to player performance and growth. With 19 years of experience in professional baseball, Robinson combines deep expertise in strength and conditioning with a forward-thinking philosophy on player development.

He began his tenure with the Diamondbacks in 2007 and has steadily advanced through the ranks. Since 2021, he has led the franchise's skill development efforts, overseeing programs that span physical conditioning, technical training and skill development. His work is rooted in collaboration—working closely with coaches, trainers, and analysts to craft development plans tailored to the individual needs of each player.

Robinson is known for his holistic approach, emphasizing not just athletic ability, but also the mental resilience and adaptability required to succeed at the highest levels of the game. His efforts have contributed significantly to the growth of players throughout the Diamondbacks’ system.

Dr. Becky Cahill brings decades of experience to the game as both a player and a coach. Her softball journey began in high school, competing at national and international levels across the U.S. She continued her career at Auburn University, where she played first base in the Southeastern Conference and made history as the program’s first four-year player. Known for her leadership, Cahill was named team captain on every team she played for.

After her playing days, she transitioned into coaching, working with both youth travel softball and youth baseball teams. Her collegiate coaching background includes positions at the University of North Georgia and Reinhardt University. She also spent over a decade coaching high school softball, where she built competitive programs and mentored student-athletes in both sport and character.

Dr. Cahill holds advanced degrees in leadership, including a doctorate, which reflects her dedication to developing well-rounded athletes. She believes in fostering growth not only on the field but in life—encouraging athletes to become leaders and lifelong learners.

Passionate about growing the game, she actively collaborates with fellow coaches to create meaningful opportunities for young athletes.

Weston Lombard serves as Head of Baseball Development at Mustard, where he leads new product innovation, pitching instruction design, and business growth strategy. Mustard leverages AI and computer vision to analyze pitcher biomechanics and deliver tailored training programs.

In professional play, Weston pitches for the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association. He appeared in the 2025 season opener, working in relief for the club.

Weston played collegiately first at Gustavus Adolphus College (2018–2021), where he starred on the 2019 MIAC championship team, threw a nine-inning no-hitter in 2021, and set the school’s single-season strikeout record (72). He earned All‑Conference and All‑Region honors that year. He then transferred to the University of San Francisco (2022–2023), leading the team in wins, saves, ERA, and appearances during his graduate season and earning First Team WCC All‑Academic recognition.

Weston also serves as pitching coach at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, joining the staff in summer 2024. In that role, he leads the development of collegiate pitchers while coaching at youth, high school, and collegiate levels. He is also pitching coordinator at Big Fish Performance, a youth baseball facility he owns in River Falls, WI.

He earned a Bachelor’s in Public Accounting from Gustavus Adolphus College (2021) and a Master’s in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco (2023).

Todd Naskedov played one year of college ball at Lower Columbia College before concluding that he did not have the talent necessary to keep playing long-term. He transferred to Western Washington University which no longer had a baseball program. Naskedov graduated in 2000 with a degree in education. Years later he also earned a master's degree in coaching and athletic administration.

Naskedov's coaching career has included high school, college, minor league, and international stints. He worked for major league baseball as an international envoy coach in the summers of 2001 & 2004; the former in the United Kingdom and the latter in the Netherlands. He started high school coaching in the early 2000s as the head coach for the Shelton (WA) High School Highclimbers. He moved to Amphitheater High School in Tucson, AZ in 2002 to take over that program. He built the program up over four years and the team played in the 2006 state championship game. Naskedov stayed for another two seasons before moving on to Pima Community College as the pitching coach in 2009-2010. Following that gig, he was the pitching coach for the Cowlitz Black Bears in 2010 & 2011. Cowlitz is a member of the collegiate summer West Coast League. Naskedov returned to high school coaching in 2013-2014 as the pitching coordinator for McKinney Boyd High School. He completed his high school coaching travels as the head coach for the Forest Grove High School Vikings in 2015-2016.

In 2018 the Houston Astros hired Naskedov as their training complex pitching coordinator and rehabilitation pitching coach. He stayed in the latter position through the 2020 season. Naskedov was the pitching coach for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the new Low-A East League in 2021. Naskedov moved to the Cincinnati Reds' organization as pitching coach of the Daytona Tortugas in 2022, Dayton Dragons in 2023, and Chattanooga Lookouts in 2024.

Credit Baseballreference.com

Ryan McGinnis has been a baseball coach for thirty years and an athletic director for eighteen. He coached for four years at Xavier University (OH) before returning to Wisconsin to coach high school baseball at Oshkosh North and currently at Kimberly High School in Kimberly, Wisconsin. 

His teams have won over 440 games, fourteen FVA Conference championships (including the first ever baseball FVA Conference championship at Oshkosh North HS), twenty regional championships, nine sectional championships and two state championships. Over forty players have garnered Academic All-State honors, more than two dozen players have been named to the All-State team, four players have been named the Gatorade State Player of the Year, and many players have continued their playing careers at the collegiate level. Three players played in the NCAA Super Regionals in 2024, the Sweet Sixteen of college baseball. Many of his former players are currently coaching high school or collegiate baseball and four former players are on his high school coaching staff.

Ryan served on the Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) Executive Board from 2009-2015 serving as the President his final two years. He serves on the American Baseball Coaches Association’s (ABCA) Ethics Committee, and has been a member of the WIAA Baseball Advisory Board four different times. He has spoken at the ABCA National Convention, the Georgia Baseball Coach’s Clinic, internationally in Portugal and Spain and the Wisconsin’s Baseball Coaches Clinic several times.  He has been recognized as the District Coach of the Year three times, State Coach of the Year twice and Regional Coach of the Year twice. In addition, McGinnis served as an evaluator for Team USA Baseball’s 14U National Team.

In addition, McGinnis has run Baseball Hitting Leagues for youth the past 25 summers and a Winter Baseball Camp for youth the past 26 winters. He and his players have developed a Special Needs Baseball Camp that offers baseball instruction to students with special needs. His hobbies include collecting sports memorabilia, spending time with family, exercising, and reading/learning. Ryan and his wife Lori have four kids: Cal (22), Megan (20), Kate (18), & Brooke (17).

With over 50 years of coaching experience, Bill Percy's influence in the game of baseball has spanned the globe. 

His coaching career began in 1974 at Florida Southern College, where after winning the 1972 NCAA Div. II College World Series as a player for the Moccasins, Percy joined the coaching staff as an assistant under ABCA Hall of Fame coach Hal Smeltzly. After receiving his bachelor's degree from Florida Southern, Percy went on to earn his master's degree in education from Central Missouri State University where he served as a graduate assistant. 

Percy began his high school teaching and coaching career in Colorado Springs, Colorado, becoming the head baseball coach at Palmer High School in 1978 before taking over at Mitchell High School in 1990. Percy’s 1992 and 1993 Mitchell teams both advanced to state championship games, finishing runner-up each year. 

Percy was honored as an ABCA/Diamond Sports High School Regional Coach of the Year following the 1999 season at Mitchell. Percy retired from St. Mary’s High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 2022 after 16 years at the helm. The St. Mary’s skipper was named Tri-Peaks East Division Baseball Coach of the Year in 2019 after the Pirates went 17-6 and made it to the Elite 8 of the state tournament. 

A Lifetime Member of the ABCA, Percy remains active in his home state of Colorado, currently serving as an assistant coach at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, while also serving as the Executive Director of the Colorado Dugout Club Coaches Association. A Past President of the Colorado Dugout Club, Percy was inducted into the association’s inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2010. 

Percy has traveled to four continents coaching and teaching the game of baseball to players and coaches worldwide. Percy became a Major League Baseball Envoy coach in 1997 with assignments in Croatia, Serbia, Austria and Hungary, and from 1998-2005, he served as head coach of the Croatian Senior National Team. In 2002, he was awarded the Julio Puente Envoy Award by Major League Baseball for exceptional dedication to the development of baseball overseas. Percy became involved with USA Baseball in 1990, where he coached the Junior National Team to a silver medal in the Pan American Games in Sao Paolo, Brazil. Just three years later, Percy's Junior National Team brought home a gold medal in Chicago. In 1996, Percy served as head coach of the USA Youth 15U team that competed in the IBAF World Championships in Chiba, Japan. He was also an assistant coach with the USA Olympic Sports Festival East Team in 1995 that competed in Colorado Springs. 

In his many coaching positions, Percy has had the opportunity to coach a number of players who went on to illustrious careers in Major League Baseball. Along with coaching and his MLB Envoy work, Percy has organized baseball coaching seminars throughout Colorado, the United States and Europe and was a featured clinician at the 2004 ABCA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. He also served as a member of the ABCA High School All-America and Coach of the Year Committee from 1998-2005.

After 39 years as the Head Coach at Boston’s Tufts University, John Casey is currently the pitching coach at Johnson & Wales University where he helped them advance to the 2023 NCAA Regional finals for the first time in school history. One of the most respected leaders in college baseball. Casey served as President of the American Baseball Coaches Association in 2016 and was recently elected Chair of their Board. He has lead clinics in Switzerland and Curacao and presented in Ireland and Sweden since joining the ISG Board in 2018. Coach Casey has been inducted in the ABCA Hall of Fame, the Boston Park League HOF, NEIBA Hall of Fame and most recently the Tufts University Athletics HOF. He often states that his involvement with ISG is the most rewarding of his career, the friendships formed and supporting those who love and develop the game is extremely satisfying and a worthwhile pursuit.

Peter Caliendo, a former USA Baseball National Team coach, has been with ISG Baseball for 15 years and is currently Vice-President. Having been involved in international baseball in 54 countries during the past 40 years, he also serves on the WBSC Technical Committee.  A creator of 5 instructional coaching DVDs an a book called Youth Baseball Drills, he is a lifetime member of the ABCA and past recipient of their Meritorious Service Award.