Instructor Bios
CHRIS ANDEL, Facility Manager & Lead Pitching Instructor
Chris joined the Play Ball staff in 2007, and is currently responsible for developing the Play Ball USA pitching curriculum. In addition to his management of the Des Plaines location, Chris is also the Director of Operations at our satellite location in Lindenhurst, IL.
Chris pitched professionally with the Gary South-Shore Railcats in 2003. After two seasons with the 'Cats he was traded to the storied St. Paul Saints where he was one of the top relievers in the Northern League. He most recently spent the 2006 season with the Schaumburg Flyers. His collegiate career began at Illinois State University, and finished at North Central College.
Prior to joining Play Ball USA, Chris was one of the most sought after independent instructors in the Chicago Area. He has conducted clinics throughout the nation, and his ability to teach the game has gained enough notoriety for his services to be requested in the Cayman Islands in recent years!
Instructor Availability: Mondays 7-9pm
CORY LAPINSKI
Cory joined the Play Ball Staff in 2007 where he coached one of Play Ball USA’s Fall Developmental Teams. In addition to his coaching skills, Cory is an experienced hitting and pitching instructor.Cory played professionally in the Houston Astros Organization (2005-2006), and most recently with the Gateway Grizzlies in the Frontier League in 2007. His collegiate career was played at Illinois Wesleyan where he played both centerfield and pitcher while receiving the Player of the Year Award in the CCIW his junior season.
In addition to joining Play Ball USA’s staff, Cory received his bachelor’s degree from Illinois Wesleyan in Biology and is currently a substitute high school teacher.
Instructor Availability: Fridays 5-9pm
MIKE ROHDE
Mike Rohde just recently joined the Play Ball USA Staff in 2009, where he is an experienced hitting instructor.
Rohde began his professional career in 2007 with the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League where he was a contender for the league Rookie of the Year award. In 2008, Mike was traded to the Gary Railcats where he was a mid-season All-Star and finished 10th in the league in hitting at .319.
Rohde was a first baseman and third baseman at the University of Illinois where he spent three years, batting a combined .327 with 12 home runs and 130 runs batted in. He enjoyed his best season as a sophomore in 2005 when he earned 2nd Team All-Big 10 honors, batting .355 with four home runs and 38 runs batted in.
In addition to joining Play Ball USA’s staff of professional instructors, Rohde works for a law firm in the off season. Mike has aspirations of attending law school.
Instructor Availability: Mondays 7-9pm, Fridays 5-9pm & Saturdays 12-5pm
JOE RYBACK
Joe joined Play Ball USA in 2006 where he is an experienced hitting and catching instructor.
Ryback played professionally in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Currently he is the Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Buffalo Grove High School, where during his first year as coach, he helped to take the team to the state finals! Prior to this, Coach Joe played college baseball at John A. Logan College, Quincy University, and SIU-Carbondale.
Ryback spent the summer of 2008 as an assistant coach for the 12U Illinois Indians, the head coach for the 16U Schaumburg Seminoles American team, and assistant coach for the Buffalo Grove HS summer squad.
In addition to his playing and coaching experience, Coach Joe also specializes in various team building workshops. Joe is also one of Play Ball USA's Fall Team coaches.
Instructor Availability: Wednesdays 7-9pm
ROB FISCHER, Hitting & Fielding Instructor
Rob Fischer joined the Play Ball USA staff in January of 2009. Rob was selected in the 27th round of the 1997 amateur draft by the New York Yankees out of high school. Rob elected to go to college and after graduating from the University of Illinois, Rob got his first professional baseball experience with the Joliet Jack Hammers in 2002. After hitting .292 in his rookie season, Fischer was traded to the North Shore Spirit in 2003, where he has since spent the bulk of his pro career. In 2005 with North Shore, Rob had his best season at the plate, batting .315 with 17 HR and 65 RBI in 90 games. What's more, that 2005 season saw Fischer set all-time records in the Can-Am League for runs scored (83) and hit by pitches (21) in a season. Rob returned to the Northern League for his seventh season of professional baseball last year with the Schaumburg Flyers.
Prior to joining Play Ball USA, Rob worked as a professional hitting instructor for the Chicago White Sox Academy. He has conducted hitting clinics around the Chicagoland area, and his ability to teach the game is second to none.
Instructor Availability: Sundays 2-5pm
KEVIN PENN
Kevin recently joined the Play Ball USA staff 2008 and is currently coaching one of Play Ball USA's Fall Developmental Teams. In additon to his coaching skills, Kevin is a trained pitching and hitting instructor under Chris Andel's curriculum. Kevin also coaches in the Lake Villa Baseball League and is a highly recommended coach/instructor.
Kevin received his Business Management Degree from the College of Lake County and is currently the President/Director of Operations of Symphony Creative Solutions.
Instructor Availability: Wednesdays 7-9pm, Saturdays & Sundays 12-5pm
SCOTT STAHOVIA
Scott just recently joined the Play Ball USA staff with parts of 5 years of Major League experience with the Minnesota Twins Organization. Scott played college baseball at Creighton University where he was named college baseballs "Player of the Year" and was very much an integral part of their College World Series appearance in 1991. He was a 1st round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins in 1991 and played professionally for 10 seasons.. Scott made his Major League debut in 1993 and finished his career in 2000 with the Chicago Cubs. With over 2100 Major League at bats, Scott was just shy of a .300 career batting average.
After his Major League stint, he was the hitting coach for the University of Illinois Chicago for 2 seasons before taking the baseball coaching job at Carmel High School.
Scott is our most experienced instructor on our Play Ball USA staff and we are very excited to have him be a part of our great team of professional instructors.
Instructor Availability: May 25th 7-9pm, 29th 5-9pm and 30th 3:30-5pm June 5th 5-9pm and 7th 12-3pm.
