NORFOLK'S LEADING BASEBALL FACILITY
SERVICES
LESSONS BY PROFESSIONALS
BATTING CAGE RENTALS
Starting at just $30 per cage per hour, our facility houses 7 full length batting cages. Balls, machines, demo bats, all are included. Need something else? Just ask!
TEAM GEAR ONLINE STORES
Our team of ex-professional ballplayers and ex-college ballplayers excel in teaching your player in both the physical aspects of the game as well as the mental aspects. Pitching, Hitting, Fielding, we do it all!
Does your team need custom gear? We offer full online stores built from scratch to meet your needs. Wilson, Rawlings, Demarini, Louisville Slugger are all partners we use to get you the best, at the best prices.
OUR PASSION
We as Coaches have a passion for helping our players grow their game both physically and mentally. We are constantly doing research and growing our own abilities so as to better pass on the knowledge we have gained on to our clients.
Our Coaches
OWNER/COACH MATT SMITH
Background:
-Native of Chesapeake, Va
-Graduate of Great Bridge High School in 2001 and Virginia Military Institute in 2005
Accolades/Stats:
-Holds multiple records at VMI and was named First Team All Big South in 2004
-Left VMI with 218 hits and 38 stolen bases and 753 AB's (Record)
Experience:
-Played Professionally for 5 years with the Texas Rangers and New York Mets Organizations.
Smith's work ethic was his calling card in the game of Baseball. Former Rangers Manager Ron Washington once boasted to scouts to find him "8 more players like Matt Smith".
COACH WILEY LEE
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE
-1989, Graduate Old Dominion University, Bachelor’s Degree, Marketing Education
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
1992- Present Chesapeake Center of Science and Technology, Employment Plus Coordinator
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Norfolk State University Baseball Coach
-2012-2016 Responsible for Hitting, Defense and Base running
-2016 Repeat of Northern Division Champions and Tournament Finals Team Record again in win 29
-2015 First Ever Northern Division Champions Team Record in wins 27
14 years at Great Bridge sent 50 players to college to play baseball 3 kids per year average off each team went on to play at next level.
-2011 Triple AAA State Champions
- 2011 Eastern Region Champions
- 2005 Coached #1 Pick in MLB Draft 2 Time Major League All Star Justin Upton
-2004, VHSL East All-Star AAA Game, Head Coach
- 2004 Eastern Region Champions
- 2003 Virginia Triple AAA State Champions
- 2003 Eastern Regional Champions
- 2000 Eastern Regional Champions
-1998-2011, Great Bridge High School, Varsity, Head Baseball Coach
-2008 Mid-Atlantic Major League Baseball National Coach of the Year
-2008 Great Bridge Players at the following Colleges or Universities ODU, Virginia Wesleyan, Norfolk State, UVA, William and Mary, Averett University, George Mason, Lafeyette University, Christopher Newport University, VMI, Radford University, Mary Washington, Methodist, Chowan College, University of Central Florida, The Apprentice School,
-2007 Players in Pro Baseball, Matt Smith (Mets), Michael Mitchell (Rockies),
Chris Rahl (Diamond Backs),
- 2005 Coach 1st Pick In The 2005 Major League Baseball Draft Arizona’s Justin Upton
-2004 Eastern Regional Coach of the Year
-2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005,2004, 2002, 2000, 1998 Southeastern District Coach of the Year
- 11 Southeastern District Champions
PERSONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
-1994, Old Dominion University Sports Hall of Fame
-1990, Texas League All-Star
-1989, California League, All-Star
-1989, California Angels, 5th Round Selection
-1985-87, Old Dominion University, All-Sunbelt
-1986, Old Dominion University, USA Baseball Team Selection
-1985, Old Dominion University, Freshman All-American Baseball Player
FAMILY
Married 22 years to Jillayne Lee (ODU Graduate, Regent Graduate)
2 children
Justin Lee (23) Norfolk State Graduate
Ashley Lee (19)
COACH TY RIVERS
Background:
-Played HS at Nansemond River in Suffolk, VA under Mark Stuffel. Ty played in Richmond Braves Organization under Mikey Roberts and Jack Cooper. Rivers was a Second Baseman/Outfielder at Radford University (2006 - 2010) under Joe Raccuia in which he started in over 178 Division 1 college baseball games.
Accolades/Stats:
-All-Time stolen base leader Single Game, Career and Single Season at RU. Rivers selected as a Big South All-Conference second-baseman (2008).
Experience:
-Assistant JV Coach at Nansemond River spring 2006. Began travel baseball coaching career in summer of 2010 with The Richmond Braves 17U and have been developing youth players of all ages (2012-Current). Head Coach of the Richmond Braves 12U Majors, Richmond Braves South AAA – Rivers, Braves 13U Majors, and Richmond Braves 14U National.
Managing Experience
-Ty ran Richmond Braves South Organization as Director of Baseball Operations out of Hampton, VA facility. Currently operating as Assistant Director of Baseball Player Development at Hampton Roads Sports Academy. Rivers specializes in Offensive Approach, Infield/Outfield instruction, Baserunning and Speed & Agility Training.
COACH GLEN PIZZANELLO
Background:
-Native of Chesapeake, Va
-Graduate of Grassfield High School in 2014 and Virginia Wesleyan University in 2018
Accolades/Stats:
-First Team All-ODAC in 2018
-National Relief Pitcher of week 7 of the 2018 season.
-Recipient of the Elmo Acey Most Outstanding Performance award in 2018 season
Experience:
-Played 4 seasons with Virginia Wesleyan University from 2014-2018.
Pizzanello always goes above and beyond to ensure that he has given his all to any cause he is putting his mind to.
Contact us!
OPENING HOURS:
Mon - Fri: 10am-9pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-5pm
These are our general hours, they do change, so call us if you have any questions!