Demarcus evans

Born in Petal, Mississippi, DeMarcus Evans brings nearly a decade of professional experience to the mound. Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 25th round of the 2015 MLB Draft, Evans quickly made a name for himself, earning honors as Baseball America’s 2019 MiLB Relief Pitcher of the Year and the Texas Rangers’ Minor League Reliever of the Year. He made his Major League debut on September 18, 2020, against the Los Angeles Angels. While continuing his pitching career, Evans is now offering offseason lessons at The Dugout. Log in to UpperHand to reserve your spot!

Jessie Grissom

Coach Jessie is a Hagerty High School graduate. She played four years of softball there and helped lead her team to an 88-7 record and finished runner-up in the 8A State Champion Runner-Up. Jessie earned a scholarship to continue playing at the collegiate level with the St. Johns River State Vikings. Here she posted an impressive (.418) batting average, (.559) on-base percentage, and a (.784) slugging percentage for the Vikings.

Since concluding her tenure as a student-athlete in 2017,she has shifted her focus to coaching. Jessie coaches a CFL Pride team nicknamed the “GrissGang” and works with athletes in hitting, fielding, strength, and conditioning training.

T - Mack

Hailing from Orlando, FL, T-Mack has been passionate about baseball since age 4. He was drafted out of Boone High School by the Baltimore Orioles in the 21st round of the 1998 MLB draft. He brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the game. With over 12 years of coaching both baseball and fast-pitch softball, he has honed his skills and knowledge to help players excel. In his free time, T-Mack continues to compete at the highest level in adult softball traveling across the country with several sponsorships. He is proud to have his own signature bat, "THE MACK."

gary lora

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Gary brings a wealth of baseball expertise to The Dugout. He has a strong foundation in professional and competitive baseball and is fluent in English and Spanish. After graduating from Apopka High School in 2018, he played at Florence Darlington Tech College, where he competed in the 2021 JUCO World Series. His talent and dedication earned him 1st Team All-American honors and a National Championship in 2022 at the NAIA level. He repeated his All-American achievement in 2023.

Gary's professional playing experience includes time in the Dominican Republic and The Pioneer League, further showcasing his high-level skill set. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Coaching from Southeastern University (SEU), combining his athletic accomplishments with academic excellence. With his deep understanding of the game and a passion for developing players, Gary is ready to help athletes of all levels improve their skills.

Jeff Liquori

A Central Florida native and proud product of CFL Pride, Jeff began his collegiate career as a pitcher but quickly transitioned to become a standout hitter. In his first season as a hitter, he batted .316 with 14 home runs, earning First Team All-Conference honors. The following year, he improved even further, hitting .345 with 10 home runs.

After transferring to Florida International University, Jeff maintained his success, batting .300 with 10 home runs. Following college, he played in the Independent Baseball MLB Draft League, finishing with a strong .298 average, 22 doubles, and 7 home runs. Jeff's journey, from his roots in Central Florida to professional baseball, reflects his deep passion for the game and a commitment to excellence.

Argenis Diaz

Born in Guatire, Venezuela, Argenis Diaz showcased his baseball talent from a young age despite limited resources. Díaz was signed by the Boston Red Sox organization in July 2003 as an international free agent. On April 21, 2010, Diaz made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Known for his exceptional defensive skills at shortstop, Diaz earned accolades for his remarkable plays. In 2018, he began coaching with the Pittsburgh Pirates, working with prospects O'Neil Cruz and Rodolfo Castro. His coaching experience led him to develop his methodology and establish 5Pro Professional Training. He is now a partner providing lessons at The Dugout in collaboration with NTC.

Jesse Litsch

Coach Jesse is a former professional baseball pitcher. He was drafted in the 24th round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004 and played from 2007 to 2011. In March 2016, Litsch became the pitching coach for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

After retiring, Litsch coached middle and high school players at a Major League Baseball development center in China. In January 2016, he announced that he would be the pitching coach for the Philippines national baseball team in their February World Baseball Classic qualifier. On March 1, 2016, the Bridgeport Bluefish hired Litsch to be their pitching coach for the 2016 season. For the 2022 season, Litsch was hired to manage the collegiate Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League.

Tracy Steele

Coach Tracy was a 3 time All-American at the University of Michigan. She still tops the Michigan and Big Ten career record books with the most career hits (345), at-bats (866), games started (262)and games played (263). Tracy’s career batting average at the University of Michigan ranks second all-time at .389 and she is second in runs scored (223).

After graduating from Michigan, Tracy went on to play professional softball with the Akron Racers and was an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame. In 2015 Coach Tracy was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor which was established in 1978 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions as athletes, coaches, and administrators to the tradition of Wolverine athletics and, in doing so, have enhanced the image and reputation of the University of Michigan.

Are you an instructor?

We are always looking for instructors. It doesn’t matter if you have 1 client or 100, we want to provide a home for you. We offer hitting, pitching, fielding, catching, and agility training for baseball and softball players. If interested, please click on “Get in Touch” and fill out a form to contact us.