>>OURSTAFF

The caliber of Elite Baseball personnel is the best in Southern California, let alone the Country. The experience of our instructors is unmatched in the business and the high energy atmosphere created is brilliant. All of our top instructors have competed at both the collegiate and professional level. Not only are we experts in the field of baseball, but we also understand how baseball is used to grow as an individual throughout life.

>>JOEDEMARCO

President

DeMarco started Elite Baseball in 2003. Prior to opening Elite Baseball, Joe was an assistant Coach at UCI from 2001-2003 where his responsibilities included; Roaming coach, assisted with offense, defense, pitchers and base running. He assisted in recruiting efforts, assisted in coaching efforts in practice and games, organized camp and served as head counselor at UCI Baseball School. Before coming to UCI DeMarco coached for two seasons at his Alma Mater, the University of Kansas. He was in charge of Infielders and Base Running. As a professional DeMarco Spent two seasons in the San Diego Padres organization as a member of the Peoria Padres and the Idaho Falls Braves. As a collegiate he had a stand out career: Four year letter winner, Smith Super Team Candidate, Big 12 Batting Title (.429), 1997 Mizuno All American, 1997 Team Captain and MVP, 1997 1st Team All Big 12 Shortstop, 1996 1st Team All Big 8 Shortstop, 1995 National Baseball Congress All American. DeMarco oversees all Elite Baseball teams and Private instruction at Elite Baseball. DeMarco graduated with a degree in Communication Studies with an Emphasis in Business from Kansas University in May of 1997.

>>PJMCKAIG

Director of Player Development

PJ is the Director of Player Development at Elite Baseball. PJ is a former Arizona Diamondback draft pick and pitcher in the Montreal Expos system. McKaig spent his collegiate career at Mesa College in Mesa, AZ, where he was an All League pitcher and 1st Basemen before moving on to Vanguard University. While competing at Vanguard he was a 1st Team All League Pitcher. His senior year (2002) he led Vanguard to the NAIA West Coast Region Championship and was named an All-American Scholar Athlete. In 2002, PJ graduated from Vanguard University receiving his degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining Elite Baseball full time PJ was the head counselor at Big League Experience Baseball Camp, in B.C. Canada. McKaig has led the 16u OC Angels to Back to Back Mickey Mantle State Championships, advancing the Mickey Mantle World Series in 2005, finishing 2nd. Along with his responsibilities at Elite Baseball he is also the pitching coach at JSerra High School.

>>MATTSHARP

Director of Baseball Operations

Matt Sharp is the Director of Baseball Operations at Elite Baseball. Sharp played four years at UCLA under former head coach Gary Adams and present head coach John Savage. Sharp thrived as a catcher/1st baseman while mastering the art of hitting under very elite college baseball instructors. In the spring of 2005, Sharp was drafted in the amateur draft by the Chicago White Sox. As a professional, Sharp played three seasons as a member of the Great Falls White Sox (Pioneer League), Kannapolis Intimidators (class Low-A), and the Winston-Salem Warthogs (class High-A). Sharp was also invited to Big League Spring Training in 2007 where his first Big League knock came as a pinch hit for Jim Thome. After his career with the White Sox, Sharp signed a professional contract to play in the Italian Baseball League for the 2008 season. Playing for the Paterno Warriors in Sicily, Sharp finished 4th best player in the Italian Baseball League. Sharp graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California Los Angeles in June of 2005

>>TAYLORHOLIDAY

Instructor

Taylor brings a wealth of experience and passion to Elite Baseball. He played his collegiate baseball at Arizona State University and at UC Irvine. While playing college baseball, he was nominated 1st team all Big West and an Academic All-American.  Furthermore, he was nominated the Most Outstanding Player in the Texas Regionals while taking his team to the College World Series. Taylor concluded his playing career spending two years with the New York Yankees organization. Taylor now looks forwarded to bring his knowledge, experience, and love for the game to Elite Baseball.

>>GREGWALLIS

Instructor

Gregg Wallis has been an instructor with Elite Baseball since 2005. “Wally” assists with Private Lessons as well as helps with our teams. Wallis spent his collegiate playing career at UC Irvine, and finished his senior year batting .320 for the Anteaters. He was a 3-time Co-Sida District VIII Academic All-American, 4-time Big West Academic, All-Conference, and 4-time Big West scholar athlete. Prior to attending UCI, Wallis prepped at Chatsworth high school where he broke the all-time school record for hits in a season with fifty-three hits in thirty-one games. Along with working at Elite Baseball, Wallis worked two seasons as an Assistant Coach at UC Irvine. Wally spent a year working at the Scott Boras Corporation before leave to take a position and as an Assistant Coach at Cal State Fullerton in 2008.

>>DANNYMIRAMONTES

Instructor

Danny Miramontes has been an instructor with Elite Baseball since 2006. Miramontes spent his collegiate playing career at UC Irvine where he batted .303 and finished No. 1 in the country in sacrifice hits his senior year. He received the first UC Irvine Hustle Attitude Mentality (HAM) team award and played both infield and outfield for the Anteaters throughout his collegiate career. Prior to UCI, Miramontes prepped at Fallbrook High School where he was All-Avocado League and was given the Charlie Hustle team award while hitting .402 his junior year. Miramontes helped his high school team win 2 league championships and was part of the 1999 USA Baseball Federation 16 and under World Series Championship team. He was recognized by the San Diego Union-Tribune for academic excellence in high school and graduated UC Irvine in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in Economics.

>>JASONCORAPCI

Instructor

Prior to joining Elite Baseball’s staff Jason was a 4 year letterman at Canyon High school from 1996-1999 where he was a two-time Century League MVP, two-time all county, All- C.I.F. in ’99 and All State in ’99. He was Orange County’s Batting Champion with a .582 Batting Average accumulating 52 hits in 26 games. He currently is top three in every offensive category for Canyon H.S. career records. As a 16 year old he was part of the 1997 inaugural 16 USA national team that placed in 5th in Taiwan. He also garnered two C.I.F. Championships at Canyon H.S. Jason was the MVP of the ’99 Sunbelt Classic in Oklahoma where California took first. He then went on to play at Cal State Fullerton where he played over 200 career games and accumulating a .300 career avg. In 2001 and 2003 CSUF placed third in the College World Series. Jason was a two-time All Big West Conference player (’00, ’01). He earned his B.A. in Business Administration in Management where he now uses his degree in running his own business. Jason got drafted in the 29th round and went on to play three seasons with the Houston Astros Organization and Lincoln Saltdogs independent club.

>>MICHAELBAIR

Instructor

Michael Bair has been an instructor at Elite Baseball since 2005. Mike is the Head Instructor for Outfield Defense as well as being the Head Coach of a Team during the season. Bair spent his entire collegiate career at Vanguard University where he started in centerfield and batted lead-off. His senior year (2002) he led Vanguard to the NAIA West Coast Region Championship and was named an All-American Scholar Athlete. Bair played prep baseball at Foothill High School where he finished with All-League honors and lead his team to the CIF playoffs in 1996. As a coach, Bair is entering his fourth season at El Modena High School. He assisted PJ McKaig guide the OC Angels to the Mickey Mantle World Series in 2005. Mike is also an Assistant Coach at Laguna Beach High School. Mike Graduated with a B.S. Degree in Exercise Sports Science from Vanguard University and received his Teaching Credential from Vanguard University in May of 2003. He is currently a 6th Grade Teacher at El Morro middle school in Laguna Beach.

>>JONHORWITZ

Instructor

Jon Horwitz started with Elite Baseball Instruction in 2009. Prior to joining Elite Baseball, Jon was a private baseball instructor in West LA for 4 years. He worked with players of all ages ranging from 5-18 years old as well as numerous club teams. Jon spent his collegiate playing career at UC Irvine from 2001-2003 where he was an all-conference outfielder in 2002 posting a .388 batting average. Before attending UC Irvine, Jon earned 1st team All-Mission League honors at Notre Dame High School, Sherman Oaks. He graduated from UC Irvine in 2004 earning his bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences.

>>CODYEVANS

Instructor

Cody Evans is joining Elite Baseball as a professional Pitching Instructor. Cody is currently pitching for the Arizona Diamondbacks Minor League System and brings a wealth of knowledge on the pitching side of the game. Prior to his signing with the Diamondbacks, Cody pitched for the Dirtbags at Long Beach State. Cody has been instructing students for the past six years and can bring professional instruction to any skill level. He believes in setting up a solid foundation of mechanics and mound presence that will allow younger players to reach their full potential. He is also capable of fine tuning more advanced players with knowledge they would only otherwise gain at the professional level. Cody is looking to enhance Elite Baseball’s pitching staff throughout this off-season.

>>ChrisLopez

Instructor

Chris started his collegiate baseball career at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. After one season, Chris transferred to UC Irvine and was part of the 2007 College World Series Team that finished fourth in the country. Chris pitched three years at UC Irvine and recently was an assistant coach for the university specializing in the field of pitching. Chris has been a private baseball instructor for two years and works with players of all ages ranging from 8-18 years old as well as coaching numerous club teams. In high school, Chris graduated from Chaminade College Prep and earned 1st team Division III as well as 1st team All-Mission League. In 2009, Chris graduated from UC Irvine earning his bachelor’s degree in Social Science.