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BASEBALL INSTITUTE
  • Home
  • Camps & Programs
    • Hitting Clinic
    • Group Instruction
    • Holiday Camps and Clinics
    • Arm Care and Velocity Program
  • Mario Ortiz Scholarship Fund
  • About
  • Staff Directory
    • Pitching Intructors
    • Hitting Instructors
    • Specialty Instructors
  • Services
  • Forms & Paperwork
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Spirt Wear

Meet the Staff

​Erik Lis - Hitting Coordinator

  • Co-Founder of Baseball Institute. 
  • Played collegiate baseball at University of Evansville. 
  • Played professionally in the Twins Organization.
    • Spent seven years with the Twins.
    • Peaked at Triple-A. 
  • From Oak Lawn, Illinois. 
Get to know Erik: erik_lis_bio_.pdf

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​Josh Altmann - Hitting Instructor

  • Played collegiate baseball at Olivet-Nazarene University. 
  • Drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2015 in the 22nd round. 
  • Currently in high-A. 
  • From Lockport, Illinois.
Get to know Josh: josh_altmann_bio__.pdf


​Ron Biga - Utility Instructor 

  • Played collegiate baseball at Triton Community College and St.
    Xavier University. 
  • Managed professionally for the Sioux City Explorers and
    Southern Illinois Miners. 
  • Retired Field Manager and Dir. of Baseball Operations for the Windy City Thunderbolts.
  • From Chicago, Illinois.
Get to know Ron: ron_biga_bio_.pdf
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Chris Pack - Pitching Instructor 
  • Co-Founder of Baseball Institute
  • Played collegiate baseball at Villanova University and the University of Illinois. 
  • Played professionally in the Arizona Diamondbacks Organization and Independently in the Frontier League. 
  • From Darien, Illinois.
Email: baseballinstitute@gmail.com
Get to know Chris: chris_pack_bio_.pdf

Connor Powers - Hitting Instructor

  • Played collegiate baseball at Mississippi State University. 
  • Drafted in 2010 by the Padres.
  • Played three seasons with the Padres. 
  • Founder and operator of Dead Red Hitting
  • From Naperville, Illinois.
Email: connor@baseball-institute.com
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​Steve Heilenbach - Utility Instructor


  • Played 4 seasons at Illinois State University
  • Played Independently with the Windy City Thunderbolts
  • Was a 1st Round Pick of the Frontier League Draft
  • Named 2nd Team All-Missouri Valley
  • From Western Springs, IL


​Jake Suchor - Pitching Instructor  

  • Pitched for the University of Saint Francis (Joliet) 
    • Graduating with a bachelors degree in Business Management (Spring of 2021)
  • Played at Joliet Junior College
    • Hit .410 and pitched 52 innings his Sophomore Year
  • Graduated from Lockport Township High School in 2017 
  • Favorite Hobby: Disc Golf 
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​Anthony Ortiz - Consulting Analyst

  •  Previously worked within the Seattle Mariners High Performance Department. 
  • Analyzed Performance Metrics, Projects and Department Direction for the Mariners 
  • Played Collegiate Baseball at Lawrence University
  • 2-Time All-Academic Award Winner in College
  • Currently pursuing his MBA at the University of Rochester. ​

​Jake Bartels  - Pitching Instructor 

  • Played collegiate baseball at Western Michigan University.
    • Served as Closer for all four seasons
    • 7th All-time in single season saves and appearances 
  • Currently attends The John Marshall Law School
  • From Westchester, Illinois
  • Get to know Jake: jake_bartels_bio_.pdf
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​Carson Bartels - Hitting/Fielding Instructor

  • Played collegiate baseball at St. John's University and Heartland Community College
  • Earned first team All-Big East Conference Honors in 2021 as starting 2nd baseman in 36 of 37 appearances, batting .279 with 26 RBI's, 9 doubles and 2 home runs.
  • Currently In his first season with the Southern Illinois Miners of the Frontier League.
  • Previously a three year varsity standout for Nazareth Academy. 
  • Carson had the second best average of .282 during league play and hit .319 over his last 39 games, with 16 multi-hit games. 

Ryan Haff  - Utility Instructor

  • Played collegiate baseball at the University of Illinois. 
    • Member of the 2015 Super Regional Team 
    • Big Ten Regular Season Champions 
  • Holds a Finance Degree and MBA from the University of Illinois 
  • Hinsdale Central Graduate 
    • Holds the record for triples hit and runs scored 
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Colin Cruz - Pitching Instructor

  • Played Collegiate Baseball at Robert Morris University (Chicago) 
  • Graduated with a bachelors degree in Sports & Exercise Science in 2017
  • Graduated with a masters degree in Human Performance in 2018
  • Previously assistant pitching coach at RMU 
  • From Homer Glen, Illinois 

Lee Milano - Utility Instructor

  • 22 Years as Nazareth Head Baseball Coach 
  • 28 Years of Coaching Experience 
  • Approaching 500 Career wins at the High School Level
  • Coached over 130 players that have went on to play Collegiate Baseball
  • 6 former players have went on to play Professional Baseball 
  • 2018 Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Member Inductee
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Kevin Kaczmarski - Utility Instructor

  • Played collegiate baseball at the University of Evansville. 
  • Drafted in 2015 in the 9th round by the New York Mets
    •  Made Major League Debut in June of 2018 with the NY Mets
    • Ended the 2018 season in AAA.
  • From Cary, Illinois.
  • Get to know Kevin: Full Length Bio​


​Scott Popiwchak - Utility Instructor

  • Played Collegiate Baseball at Illinois State
  • Played in the Independent Northern Great Lakes League 
  • Coached at Romeoville High School  
  • 20+ years of Coaching Experience 
  • Graduated from Weber High School out of the Chicago Catholic League 
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Kevin Johnson - Pitching Instructor 

  • Four year starter at the University of Illinois.
    • All-Big Ten his Freshman year.
    • Team Captain his Jr. and Sr. years.
    • Top 10 in career strikeouts, appearances, Big Ten innings pitched, and wins.
  • Drafted by the NY Yankees and Oakland Athletics.
  • Played 2015 season and part of 2016 season with the Class A affiliate for the A’s.
  • From Midlothian, Illinois.
  • Get to know Kevin: Full Length Bio

Rick Lapka - Pitching Instructor

Played Collegiate Baseball at Morton Jr. College where he made all-conference and all-region teams
  • Went on to play his last two collegiate seasons at Missouri Southern State on full scholarship
  • Signed by the Cincinnati Reds and played 3 seasons amassing 220 innings with a 4.38 ERA and continued his career in the Northern and Frontier Leagues before retiring
  • Over 5 years as a professional-member of 2 league championship teams and appeared in playoffs 4 of the 5 seasons
  • Coached by many talented instructors, including Fergie Jenkins, Mack Jenkins, Brad Kelly and Tom House, who helped shape his foundations for pitching instruction.
  • Was the pitching coordinator at a facility in Ashland, KY prior to his move to Chicago.
  • Member of Nation Pitching-Tom House Sports which works with all facets of pitching and throwing development.
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Mike Kornacker-Utility Instructor

  • 4-year varsity starter for St. Lawrence HS
    • 2x All-State recipient
    • 2013 Chicagoland Player of the Year
    • 2014 Chicago Catholic league Player of the Year
  • Started his collegiate career at Purdue University
    • logged over 100 innings for the Boilermakers as both a starter and reliever
    • Was a three-time All-Academic BIG-10 Recipient
  • Played his last collegiate season at Valparaiso University
  • Holds a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership and a Master's Degree in Sports Administration
  • Get to know Mike Full Length Bio

​Jordan Mikolajewski-Pitching Instructor

  • 2015 graduate of Mount Carmel HS and played all 4 years for the Caravan
    • 2015 IHSA Class 4A State-Runner Up Team
  • Played collegiately at Iowa Wesleyan (2016), Oakton Community College (2017-18) and Roosevelt University (2019-21)
    • ​2018 NJCAA DIII World Series Championship (Oakton CC)
    •  logged over 86 innings as a starter for Roosevelt Lakers
  • Holds a Bachelors in Business Administration/Management from Roosevelt University.
  • Believes that mental control and the ability to adjust as a pitcher are keys to making yourself "invaluable" to a team.
  • Get to know Coach Miko  Full Length Bio
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Michael Sclafani-Pitching Instructor
  • Current player at Lewis University, having completed his freshman season earning a 3-1 record and a 4.54 ERA.
  • Lives in Oak Brook, IL
  • A 2020 graduate of Montini Catholic High School
    • Member of the 2019 IHSA Class 3A State Championship Team.
    • Named IHSBCA All-State Player, Daily Herald All-Area Player, as well as CCL All-Conference Player in 2019.

Shon Keener-Speed/Strength Trainer

  • Played 4 years at Augustana College in Rock Island.  Started at 3rd base his sophomore through senior years.
  • CCIW first team all-conference sophomore through senior years: 1993-1996
  • Led the team in RBI and batting average his junior year
  • Oswego High School Baseball Coach
    • Head Freshman Coach 2001-2013.  
    • Varsity Assistant Coach  2014-2017.
    • Built and ran programs speed/strength/conditioning program where first team in program progressed from below .500 batting average as sophomores to winning conference with a record of 25-6 as seniors.
  • Head Coach with Minooka Rivercats from 2017-2020.
  • Current Head Coach for IL Premier 14U Team. In 2020-2021, at 13U, his team won 7 of 10 tournaments and finished with a 57-5-2 record.
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Connor Lowman-Pitching Instructor

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  • Pitched for the University of Wisconsin Parkside 
  • Holds an associates degree in fire science 
  • Graduated from Lincoln Way West High School
  • Has been a pitching coach for the last 3 years for various organizations 
  • 3 year varsity starting pitcher 
  • Currently work as a Firefighter/Paramedic 
  • Favorite hobby- hunting/fishing 
  • From New Lenox, Illinois 

We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!


Email

BaseballInstitute@gmail.com

Telephone

(331) 213.2356                                                                                    
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  • Home
  • Camps & Programs
    • Hitting Clinic
    • Group Instruction
    • Holiday Camps and Clinics
    • Arm Care and Velocity Program
  • Mario Ortiz Scholarship Fund
  • About
  • Staff Directory
    • Pitching Intructors
    • Hitting Instructors
    • Specialty Instructors
  • Services
  • Forms & Paperwork
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Spirt Wear