Meet Your Trainers
The Squad Behind Your Swing
Personalized development from coaches who care.
Development isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is our coaching staff. We know that every athlete is unique, which is why we’ve built a diverse team of instructors with a wide range of specialties—from high-velocity pitching and power hitting to catching defense and cognitive training.
Our coaches don’t just feed machines; they build athletes. They use a blend of old-school work ethic and modern data (like HitTrax and FITLIGHT) to create personalized roadmaps for your success. When you step into a cage with a Batter’s Den instructor, you aren’t just getting a lesson; you’re gaining a partner in your development who is 100% invested in seeing you win.
Mike Dato attended Oswego High School, where he played baseball for all four years, primarily as a catcher and corner infielder. He was part of one of the most successful teams in school history during his senior year, though they fell short in the Regional tournament.
He then committed to Monmouth College to study Exercise Science and play baseball under Coach Betourne for the Fighting Scots. Like every freshman, he learned a great deal and earned a starting position as a designated hitter during his sophomore year. It was at this point in his career that he realized he was embarking on something significant. He finished that year with a batting average of just over .320, hitting 8 home runs and driving in 39 RBIs. That same year, the team won their conference and secured a spot in the NCAA Regional tournament, their first appearance in over 20 years.
Following this season, he was invited to the 2019 Pre-Draft workout with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was still transitioning between positions at this point but began to lean more towards first base, where he would play for the remainder of his career at Monmouth. During his time there, he achieved several milestones:
- ABCA 1st Team All-Region (2018)
- 2nd Team All-Conference (2019)
- 1st in career Home Runs (19)
- 1st in career Hit By Pitch (29)
- 1st in Single Game RBIs (8)
- 4th in Career RBIs (108)
He finished his college career with a .300 batting average, a .500 slugging percentage, and a .395 on-base percentage, as well as a .986 fielding percentage.
After his college career, he was fortunate enough to play at the professional level, beginning in New York for the Empire League, where he attended his first spring training. He later played in the PECOS League for the Tucson Saguaros. Unfortunately, due to injuries, his playing career ended there.
Baseball has taught him many valuable lessons throughout his life and has shaped him into the man he is today. He was not heavily recruited growing up, so he worked hard for everything with a small, close-knit circle throughout his career. Looking back, he wishes he could give kids the confidence he often lacked as a player and help them reach their full potential, both on and off the field.
It is rare to find a coach who played at an elite level. It is even rarer to find one who has successfully directed entire collegiate programs. Coach Jordan brings both.
A Hall of Fame Inductee at Olivet Nazarene University, Jordan’s playing career was nothing short of legendary. She was a 3-time All-American, the NCCAA Player of the Year, and a two-time winner of the NFCA Golden Shoe, awarded to the nation’s top base stealer. She leverages that specific experience to teach elite base running and agility, showing athletes how to disrupt defenses with speed and intelligence just as she did while setting NAIA career records for hits and runs scored.
But Jordan isn’t just a former player; she is a versatile strategist. She spent nearly a decade leading programs as a Head Coach at Christian Brothers University (NCAA DII) and Culver Stockton (NAIA). While her offenses shattered records for slugging and home runs, her expertise covers every inch of the diamond. She has served as a collegiate pitching coach and outfield instructor, drawing on her own experience as a collegiate pitcher to offer true utility coaching. She knows exactly what recruiters look for, whether it’s in the batter’s box, the circle, or the outfield grass, because she was the one recruiting them.
Perhaps most importantly, Coach Jordan believes that talent gets you on the team, but mindset keeps you there. She is passionate about mental performance and accountability, specifically teaching young athletes how to “Control the Controllables.” She helps players navigate the complex world of travel and high school ball, mentoring them on how to communicate effectively with coaches, handle adversity without making excuses, and take full ownership of their career.
Whether you need to overhaul your swing for power, refine your pitching mechanics, or master the mental side of the game, Coach Jordan offers a complete roadmap to the next level.
Sammy Hall’s baseball career is defined by high-level competition and a deep understanding of the mental aspects of the game. A Nazareth Academy alumnus, he played at Saint Joseph’s College and Ohio Wesleyan University, earning a degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Sports Psychology. He also gained professional experience with the Corpus Christi Beach Dawgs.
A powerful hitter, Sammy set a college record with seven grand slams in a single season, showcasing his clutch hitting and high batting average. His ability to consistently make hard contact made him a formidable presence at the plate. Following his playing career, Sammy transitioned to coaching, working with athletes at Oswego East and Marmion Academy, as well as various travel organizations. He emphasizes mental toughness, balance, and proprioception to enhance hitter performance.
Sammy’s coaching philosophy centers on the ‘Ted Williams mindset,’ aiming for an elite .400 approach rather than the traditional .300. Through mechanical efficiency, proprioception, mental training, and repetition-based development, he empowers players to master their approach and build confidence for game day.
With extensive coaching experience and a proven track record, Sammy helps players of all levels refine their mechanics, strengthen their mental game, and achieve impactful results.
Train with intent. Train with confidence. Train with Sammy.
Pitching Instructor
A former collegiate pitcher with a true passion for player development, Coach Kevin Cunz brings a unique blend of calm intensity and detailed instruction to The Batter’s Den. His philosophy is simple: build the complete competitor, not just the pitcher.
From young players learning to toe the rubber to elite arms preparing for the next level, Coach Cunz’s approach is grounded in three pillars: repeatable mechanics, diligent arm care, and unshakable mental resilience. He expertly blends modern pitching analytics and vision training with game-like situations, ensuring that every lesson learned in the bullpen translates directly to confidence and command on the mound.
More than an instructor, Coach Cunz is a mentor dedicated to fostering growth. In his structured and supportive sessions, athletes don’t just learn what to do—they learn why.
Step on the mound with Coach Cunz and unlock your potential to dominate with intent, poise, and precision.
Jared Folley brings a wealth of coaching experience, including stints at North Central College and Harper Community College. He has guided national-level travel teams and facilitated college recruitment for players. Currently, he serves as a varsity baseball assistant at Oswego High School, where he has been for the past eight seasons. He also has three seasons of varsity assistant softball coaching experience from Waubonsie High School. Coach Folley is dedicated to developing hitters’ physical and mental game.
Coach Kelsey firmly believes that coaching should build a player both on and off the field. With extensive knowledge and a strong athletic background, she motivates young athletes to reach their full potential.
She believes every player possesses inherent greatness waiting to be unlocked. Coach Kelsey encourages girls to achieve their desired results through consistent hard work and repetition. In 2023, she co-founded a new travel softball program that embodies this philosophy.
Recognizing that mistakes are part of the game, Coach Kelsey emphasizes the importance of a strong mental approach, especially when the physical game becomes challenging. She ensures players understand their value extends beyond their on-field performance. Coach Kelsey believes in learning from mistakes without allowing them to negatively impact confidence. Softball, in her view, provides a valuable platform for developing leadership and character that will benefit players long after their playing days are over.
Ultimately, Coach Kelsey is dedicated to developing well-rounded young athletes and providing them with opportunities for success in softball. Through hard work and dedication, she aims to shape each player into not only a skilled athlete but also a well-rounded individual.
Coaching in English and Spanish
With a background in both high-level baseball and fastpitch softball, Coach Ernesto “Ernie” Alvarez brings a unique versatility to player development. A true student of the game, his ambidextrous abilities allowed him to play eight different positions. As a switch-hitter, he pitched and played the outfield left-handed, while playing the middle infield and third base right-handed. This extensive playing experience forms the foundation of his career in coaching and instruction.
Coach Alvarez’s impressive resume includes 25 years of high school coaching experience at programs like Marmion, St. Rita, and Brother Rice. He has also coached for 13 years in high-level travel ball with organizations such as the IL Spark and Bo Jackson Elite Sports, and his expertise extends to the international level, having coached the USA LABC team in the Dominican Republic for three years.
Throughout his career, he has instructed and developed hundreds of athletes who have gone on to play at the collegiate level, with numerous players reaching Minor League and even Major League Baseball. Coach Alvarez’s coaching style emphasizes fundamentals, a strong mental approach to hitting and fielding, and is tailored to all levels of baseball and softball.
Furthermore, Coach Alvarez is fully bilingual and proud to offer high-quality instruction in Spanish, ensuring clear communication and comfortable learning environments for all athletes.
Para Nuestros Jugadores de Habla Hispana:
Con una trayectoria impresionante que abarca más de dos décadas desarrollando atletas desde niveles juveniles hasta las Grandes Ligas, el Coach Ernesto “Ernie” Alvarez se enorgullece de ser un recurso bilingüe esencial para nuestra comunidad. Ernie entiende que la comunicación clara es clave para el desarrollo óptimo del jugador y ofrece instrucción experta y completa en español tanto para béisbol como para sóftbol rápido. Su enfoque de entrenamiento se centra en dominar los fundamentos esenciales y fortalecer la mentalidad de juego, asegurando que cada atleta reciba la orientación necesaria para alcanzar su máximo potencial en el idioma con el que se sienta más cómodo.
Pitching Instructor
Coach Eben Heine knows the journey from local travel ball to the next level because he’s lived it. That firsthand experience in the elite Chicago-area travel circuit gives him a unique insight into the demands today’s young athletes face on their path to college baseball.
Eben’s collegiate pitching career includes over three years of high-level experience, competing at the Division I level with the University of South Carolina Upstate (Big South Conference) and at Lakeland Community College. Competing against top-tier talent shaped his deep understanding of advanced mechanics, pitch development, and the mental toughness required to succeed on the mound.
Eben’s coaching philosophy is built on a foundation of long-term arm health. He prioritizes smart maintenance routines and safe development, ensuring his athletes build velocity and command the right way. Whether a pitcher is just building a foundation or preparing for the college level, Eben provides personalized, detail-driven instruction grounded in his own D-I journey.
One Team. One Goal
While each of our instructors brings a unique style and specialty to the cage, we all share the same philosophy: The athlete comes first. Our staff collaborates constantly, sharing insights and data to ensure your development plan is seamless. Whether you stick with one mentor or train with the whole staff, you have the entire Batter’s Den team in your corner.