Coaches & Trainers

John Elliott - Owner and Camp Director

John graduated high school in 1982 from Fountain Valley High. He then went on to Long Beach City College for two years. He was All-League, 2nd team as a Freshman at LBCC. He set a school record in hitting in his first year. His sophomore year at LBCC he was 1st team All-League, and that year was drafted in the 4th round by the Houston Astros.

He played with the Astros Organization from 1984 thru 1988. He played five years as a shortstop and second baseman. He was an All-star in 1986 in the Sally League. He played all the way thru AA.

He then went on to further his education in Physical Education with a Bachelor of Science. John also has a Masters in Physical Education and many training certificates.

In 1995 John founded the Quakes Baseball Academy. He has been coaching the QBA travel teams for over 12 years. He has trained high school to professional athletes in his baseball facility.

John was an associate scout for the Houston Astros from 1995 to 2009. In October of 2009 he started scouting for the Baltimore Orioles.

He has designed many training programs for baseball players to enhance their existing skills as well as to advance their knowledge of their game and their abilities.

John has assisted in the design and production of two hitting videos with batspeed.com. These videos are utilized by baseball players throughout the nation.

He founded the recruiting website of officialrecruiting.com where players throughout the US can have a video of them at their fielding position, as well as batting on the site and college coaches in the nation can check out the players at any time.

Dennis Twombley - Catching Trainer

Dennis Twombley has a very impressive baseball career as a catcher and a pro scout and catching instructor. He was a 4^th round draft pick with the Chicago White Sox in 1993. He was on the Team USA Trials in 1993 and 1995. In 1994 he was Freshman All American at Notre Dame. He played for Pepperdine University in 1995 and 1996 and played for the New York Yankees organization from 1996 to 2000. In 2003 he started his scouting career and worked for the Houston Astros for five years. In 2008 he started scouting for the New York Yankees and he continues to work for them today.

He has been instrumental in teaching catchers with Quakes Baseball Academy for more than six years. He has also does private catching instruction in the LA area on an appointment basis. His ability to assist catchers in bettering their footwork and moving around the plate more quickly makes him one of the greatest catching instructors in Southern California .

RYAN JOHNSON - ASSISTANT COACH, TRAVEL TEAMS

Ryan graduated from Laguna Hills High School in 1999. There he was named All-CIF and All Orange County in baseball and soccer, while also earning three varsity letters in football. After his senior year, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and attended Wake Forest University on a baseball scholarship. During his four years as a starter the baseball team won an ACC Championship, was ranked as high as #2 in the country, and hosted the second NCAA Regional in school history. He was also able to gain valuable experience by playing one summer in the Alaskan Summer Collegiate League (Fairbanks Goldpanners) and two summers in the Cape Cod League (Chatham A's). His individual accomplishments include being named team captain his junior and senior season, All-American, All-ACC, and a Dean's List student.

Following his career at Wake he was selected by the San Diego Padres and spent two years playing in their minor league system. He went on to work for Baseball America in Durham , NC for two years before moving back to Orange County . He currently works for The Nielsen Company Sports Group in San Juan Capistrano and lives with his wife, Sara, in Aliso Viejo.

Matt Lucas - Assistant Coach, Travel Teams

Matt graduated high school in 1996 from El Dorado High School in Placentia , Ca. He then went on to play baseball at Cal State LA under legendary coach John Herbold. While at CSLA, Matt was a two time All-American, a member of two conference champion teams, and played with future major-leaguers Mike Burns and Jay Gibbons. Matt signed with the Houston Astros in 2000 and played four years as a catcher in their minor league system. Matt received his bachelor's degree in Social Science from CSLA in 2003, and received his teaching credential from Concordia University in 2005. Matt has been an instructor and coach with the Quakes program since 2002. Currently Matt is the Varsity Pitching Coach at El Dorado High School .

BRIGITTE GARTEN - YOGA/PILATES TRAINER

Brigitte's background includes Pilates, nutrition, fitness, dance and Lotte Berk. She earned her B.S. in Nutritional Science from San Diego State University in 1999 and received certifications in Pilates from Aline Studios in 2002 and Body Arts and Science (BASI) in 2005. She is a member of the highly respected Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and earned her PMA certification in 2008. Brigitte and her business partner are currently developing their own Pilates teacher training program called Integrated Principles of Movement as well as Pilates workshops in south Orange County.

ReEsie Williams - Yoga/Pilates Trainer

Reesie began training in a children's professional modern dance theater at the age of ten. She earned her B.F.A. in Dance from California Institue of the Arts where she was introduced to yoga and Pilates. She spent five years studying hatha - based yoga and received formal Pilates training from Long Beach Dance Conditioning and Body Arts and Science International. Additionally, Reesie has a Masters Degree in Teaching Methodology from Pepperdine. She is a member of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) and currently teaches in Orange County.

Dick Hilyard - Showcase camp operations director

Dick has been heavily involved in baseball umpiring for more than 30 years. He resides with his wife in Saratoga, CA. He manages the day-to-day operations of the showcase camps in all locations. His vast experience in sports management helps ensure that the camps will run smoothly each and every year.