We are excited to welcome Coach AJ to our program for his inaugural year. Coach AJ will focus on creating a fun baseball environment with the goal of teaching the game. His emphasis as a coach has been player development through teaching fundamental skills essential to game.

Coach Ladia, originally from Hawaii, graduated high school in 2012 before attending and playing baseball at Monterey Peninsula College located on California’s central coast. After attending MPC he joined the US Navy in 2014, and his travels eventually landed him here in Maryland. While stationed in Hawaii, Coach Ladia was the assistant baseball coach at his high school from 2015-2016 as well as a youth baseball coach at the 11U level till 2019. He joined the Rawlings staff in 2021 as the assistant coach for 13U and will begin his fourth season with the Prospects as the 8U head coach.

Coach McVey has been a staple in the Rawlings program for the past 5 years, coaching at every level from 9u to 14u and has been coaching youth and high school baseball for over 16 years. Coach McVey will focus on creating a fun baseball environment with the goal of teaching the game the “right way.”

Coach David Hicks has over fifteen years of coaching experience at the High School and youth levels in baseball and wrestling. David played baseball at Old Mill Senior High School for longtime legendary head coach Mel Montgomery and American Legion Baseball for Post 226 out of Edgewater, MD. A two-sport standout at Old Mill, David wrestled Division 1 at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. After his competitive days, David began coaching at St. Mary’s High School, leading the team to three MIAA B championship titles. David was also the Head Coach at Annapolis High School for three years before taking on his current role as Assistant Coach at South River High School. At South River, David has helped coach the team to their first-ever dual meet state championship and back-to-back state dual meet state titles, as well as coached numerous athletes to state titles and state placement finishes.

Additionally, David was formerly the Head Coach at Gambrills Athletic Club 14u/2023, where he coached one of the most successful teams in club history. After Gambrills Athletic Club, David coached high school showcase baseball for Five Star Mid-Atlantic.

Recently, David returned to youth baseball to coach his twin boys at Rawlings Prospects Maryland. The current Rawlings team, established in 2022/8u and coached by David and staff,

has won six tournament titles and seven runner-up finishes. The team has made the semifinals in every tournament they have competed in. The team is known for its strict discipline in fundamental baseball, offensive explosiveness, and high baseball IQ on the basepaths.

David is also the Maryland State Chairman for the National Wrestling Coaches Association and is currently in his mentorship pursuing an EdD in Sport and Performance Psychology.

Justino is our Youth Baseball Director where he has oversight for the player development of our 7U-12U teams. Justino instituted the first Rawlings Prospects 7U team in 2020 and he brings a disciplined approach to coaching where he reinforces life lessons, on and off the field. Justino organizes several youth baseball clinics for many local players. He brings 12+ years of youth baseball coaching experience.

Justino played his High School baseball in Columbus, Georgia. He graduated from Fort Valley State University and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 2001. While assigned to Fort Benning, Georgia, Justino played one season with the Opelika Indians, an amateur adult baseball team in Alabama, before deciding to make the Army his career.

We are excited about our expansion into Virginia in the Fall of 2024 and would like to welcome Coach Isaac Guzman as our VA coordinator and 11u Head Coach.

Coach Guzman comes from humble beginnings. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, to a single mother who had a passion for seeing her kids succeed in school and sports. Rooted in his Dominican Heritage, Coach Guzman enjoyed baseball and played from the age of 4 to 22. Coach Guzman’s love for baseball empowered him to pursue the sport through college where he competed on the field and studied Business Administration and Communication at Virginia Wesleyan University.

Coach Rathell has been a staple in the Rawlings program for the past 8 years, coaching at every level from 9u to 14u. Coach Rathell will focus on creating a fun baseball environment with the goal of teaching the game the “right way.” This will be his 5th time returning to Cooperstown Dream Park as a head coach.

Coach Tony started playing baseball at the age of 8 and continued to play at every level on the way thru college. At Carver High School, coach Tony was a standout player earning two-time 1st Team All- Baltimore and 1st Team All-Metro.

As he transitioned into coaching, Coach Tony started his own baseball franchise at the age of 19. Now with over 30 years of coaching experience under his belt, Coach Tony has coach at every level from T-Ball to Semi-pro.

In his first year as the Head Varsity and Middle School Coach at The Tome School, Coach Tony turn a 4-13 baseball team to 13-2 team winning the M.I.L. Championship.

Coach Tony’s impact on the baseball community runs deep, leaving a lasting legacy of winning baseball and mentoring athletes through the game of baseball. 

Bio Pending

Coach Largent has led a competitive 12u team and has tough them the strengths and fundamentals to translate onto the bigger field at 13u. Coach Largent was an “All County” outfielder at North County High School. After high school, he continued his academic and athletic career at Catonsville Community College and Tennessee Weslyn College. Coach Largent has been coaching youth baseball for the past 5 years.

**Harford & Cecil County** We are excited to be expanding into Harford & Cecil County!!!! We want to welcome Larry Williams, also known as “Coach Junior,” as our 13u coach.

Coach Williams has an impressive background in baseball that spans from his high school playing days to his coaching career. As a standout player at Pikeville High School, he was recognized as an All-County selection, showcasing his talent and dedication to the sport.

Williams continued his baseball journey at Nationally ranked Salisbury University, where he excelled as an All-Conference player. His success on the field led to three conference titles in the CAC, two regional championships, and an appearance in the college world series, highlighting his skills and leadership abilities.

His talent and hard work caught the attention of the New York Mets, who invited him to a pre-draft workout for the MLB player draft, showcasing his potential to play at the professional level. Williams also gained valuable experience playing in the amateur baseball association league in Pittsburgh for Allegany Valley, further honing his skills and knowledge of the game.

Transitioning into coaching, Williams served as an assistant coach at Tome High School, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s victory in the MIL championship. His coaching style, rooted in a strong work ethic and a focus on player development, has helped shape successful teams and fostered a culture of excellence on the field.

Throughout his baseball journey, Coach Williams has demonstrated a deep passion for the game and a commitment to helping young athletes reach their full potential. His experience as to both a player and a coach has equipped him with valuable insights and skills that continue to inspire and motivate those around him.

Bio Pending

Coach Granzow has been a staple in the Rawlings program for the past 6 years, developing multiple teams to play at a highly competitive level. Coach Granzow has won numerous tournaments and assisted players on receiving scholarships to top high schools in the area.

Coach Granzow played high school baseball at DeMatha Catholic and graduated in 1997. After graduating, he immediately started his coaching career at St. Joseph’s Catholic schools and throughout numerous local programs. Coach has a strong focus on fundamentals and player development.

Coach Brown is entering his 10th year as a coach in the Rawlings Program, coaching at every level from 10u to high school. Coach Brown also serves as an assistant coach at Southern High School.

Bob Lamb has over 30 years of coaching experience including time coaching in college and high school. Bob served on the high school staff at Annapolis, South River, and DeMatha High School, as well as Essex community college. In addition, he has coached at various youth programs around the state and has been part of the Rawlings program for the past 7 years

Coach Shin has been involved with youth and high school baseball for over 8 years and has coached various age levels within our program. Most recently he served as our 2024 head coach and currently serves as our Director of Player Development. Coach Shin is a graduate from Arundel High School and the University of Maryland where he served as a player / coach on the UMD Club Baseball team. Coach Shin’s players have experiences tremendous growth under his guidance and have found success both on and off the field. The high school coaching staff will aid the staff with practice and developmental training. In addition, Coach Shin is a member of Crofton High Schools coaching staff.