>>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 also works for the Boras Corporation as the Director of Player Relations for PMC.

>>TYRUSPOWE

Director of Baseball Operations

Tyrus Powe has been an instructor with Elite Baseball Since the beginning of 2010. “T. Powe” assists with private hitting and defensive lessons as well as running some of our Elite Baseball teams throughout the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Coach Powe started his collegiate baseball career at Orange Coast College then transferred to North Dakota State University where he helped usher in the schools first outright conference championship in 39 years. Powe excelled as a middle infielder and he finished his career with All-North Central Conference, Independent Conference-Honorable Mention, as well as All-Academic in both conferences. After his college playing days, Powe went back to his alma mater and was the Graduate Assistant Coach for North Dakota State acting as the Assistant Hitting Coach, Camp Coordinator, and Head Infield Coach. In 2007 and 2008, Powe played professional baseball with one season as a member of the Bay Area Toros (Continental League) and one season with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks (Northern League). In 2009, Powe became the Hitting Coach/Bullpen Catcher for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks where he coached a league MVP and help lead them to a Northern League Championship. Prior to attending OCC and NDSU, Powe prepped at University High School where he was a three-year captain and letter winner and help lead the Trojans to a Pacific Coast League title his junior year while earning All-League honors. T. Powe graduated with a Bachelor in Psychology and has a Masters in Health, Nutrition, & Exercise Science-Sports Administration.

>>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.

>>DANNYMIRAMONTES

Director of Business Development

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.

>>CHANCEMOORE

Area Scout

Chance Moore comes to Elite Baseball applying his extensive baseball knowledge and his expertise in evaluating and recognizing emerging baseball talent for Elite’s highly competitive teams, as well as the Elite Baseball Series. Chance spent his collegiate career at El Camino in Gardena, CA, where he won two South Coast Conference Championships and was a 1st team all conference 1st baseman. Before attending El Camino, Chance earned 1st team all South Coast league honors and a league Championship for the Diablos at Mission Viejo High School. Chance played under PJ McKaig and Michael Bair on the OC Angels along with Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez, leading the Angels to their back to back State & Regional Championships and also finished as the runner up in the Mickey Mantle World Series in McKinney TX. At 16, Chance was a member of the USA Junior Nationals in Peoria, AZ. Moore is also a coach for the Diablos at Mission Viejo HS. In Moore’s first year at Mission, the Diablos went 23-4 winning a Sea View league Championship and also their first ever CIF-SS Championship at Dodger Stadium. Baseball is definitely in the family. Moore’s father played college baseball at CSUDH and his brother Ty, for UCLA. Chance’s brother is also a CIF Champion, was named, 1st team All-county, Orange County Player of the Year, and “The best hitter in Orange County.” Chance also currently serves as a coach for Elite with Jason Corapci and the 18U Connie Mack team. In 2011, they coached the team to victory in the State Championship and advanced to the Regional in Tempe AZ.

>>DANNYBIBONA

Instructor

Danny joins the Elite Baseball staff after having played at UCI the past four years. He was a member of the College World Series team in 2007 and part of the Anteaters who were ranked #1 in the nation in 2009. Danny was a two time Big West Pitcher of the Year in 2009 and 2010. Danny, a five time All-American is also UC Irvine’s all time strikeout leader. Danny won the Lowe’s Senior Class award in 2010, and was selected in the 8th round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2010. Danny is very excited to be a part of Elite Baseball and to share his wealth of knowledge with the players.

>>BENJAMINDIGGINS

Instructor

Diggins is a former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers. Drafted out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals in the supplemental first round as an outfielder, Diggins opted to go to the University of Arizona where he was a freshman All American in 1999 and a first team All-American Pitcher/1st baseman during the 2000 season. He was a draft eligible sophomore and was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2000 draft. Diggins made his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers in September of 2002. In 2003 Diggins underwent season ending Tommy John surgery. After rehabbing, Ben never returned to his pre-surgery form resulting in his release by the Houston Astros in 2006. He returned to school and graduated with an international business degree in 2009. He soon moved to southern California and now resides in Newport Beach. He is excited to return to the sport assisting in both hitting and pitching as well as share his experiences from college, minor and major league baseball.

>>BENORLOFF

Instructor

Ben Orloff has been an instructor with Elite Baseball since 2010. Orloff is currently playing in the Houston Astros organization. He was drafted by the astros in the 9th round of the 2009 MLB draft. Orloff was a two time 1st Team Big West performer at UC Irvine and in 2009 he became Irvine’s first ever Big West player of the year hitting .358 and leading the eaters to a first ever big west title. Also in 2009 he was named the Brooks Wallace award winner, given to the nations best short stop. In 2009, he was also named Collegiate Baseball Division I Defensive Player of the Year, along with being named to several All-American teams. In his time as an Anteater he set several records including games played (241) at bats (877) Runs (178) and hits (241). Orloff played his high school baseball at Simi Valley High School, and as a senior he was named 1st Team all Marmonte League and also led the pioneers to a CIF title in 2004.

>>BRIANHERNANDEZ

Instructor

Brian Hernandez has been an Elite Baseball instructor since 2010. Hernandez is currently playing in the Los Angeles Angels minor league system. He was drafted by the Angels in 2011. Hernandez was a two time 1st Team All Big West honoree and in 2011 and won the Big West’s inaugural Defensive Player of the Year for UC Irvine. In addition he was the Rawlings Gold Glove winner for third basemen in all of college baseball. Besides playing third base for the Anteaters, Hernandez saved 12 games and led Irvine to a super regional appearance. Hernandez finished his UCI career with a .332 batting average. He graduated in 2011 and was named Big West Scholar Athlete and UC Irvine’s Senior Male Athletic Performance Award. Before playing at UC Irvine, Hernandez was at Cal State Los Angeles and College of the Canyons. His sophomore year at College of the Canyons he hit .450 and was named Western State Conference Player of the Year. Hernandez played his high school baseball at Alemany High School where he was 1st Team All Mission League honoree three times.

>>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.

>>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.

>>ANTHONYCOSTANTINI

Director of Player Development Arizona

Anthony “Walks” Costantini will be in charge of launching Elite Baseball Arizona. Prior to joining Elite Baseball Anthony led Vanguard University of Southern California to the GSAC Playoffs while earning All League, All Region and All American Honors. He graduated from VUSC in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration. Before joining the Vanguard Lions he spent two seasons with Mesa Community College, one of the premier Community Colleges in the country. Prior to MCC he spent his prep years at Corona Del Sol where he earned a spot on the varsity squad as a sophomore and finished his career with All City, All Region and All State Honors. Anthony was fortunate to play under some of the best High School and College coaches in Arizona and he looks forward to sharing what he has learned with players from a wide range of ages. Pitching is Anthony’s specialty but he is a dedicated teacher in all aspects of the game.