Coaches and Staff
Coaches
Brad Woodall- Owner/Director
Brad Woodall is the owner, and director of player and coach development at Silver Sluggers Academy. Brad’s career includes 10 years as a professional player (Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs) and 4 years as coach (Tampa Bay Rays, Madison College). Brad was a 5-year major league pitcher, and a member of one of the best pitching staffs in MLB history with the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves (1995). Numerous hall-of-famers shaped Brad’s playing career and coaching philosophy.
Brad attended the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill, graduated with an economics degree, and was an All-ACC Pitcher, Outfielder, and First Baseman. He was an integral part of the UNC team that played in the 1989 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Brad had the rare and unique experience playing a dual role (pitcher and position player) at a Division 1 college program. In professional baseball, he often served as a pinch hitter, and runner. He had 190 career major league innings as a pitcher, 5.31 ERA, and a .271 batting average in the major leagues.
For over 30 years, Brad has mentored athletes all over the world, motivating and inspiring players to improve through hard work and preparation. He has written, “A Parent’s Guide to Pitching.” He created “Pitch Like the Pros; Mechanics, Skills and Drills” instructional DVD and has authored numerous articles for baseball publications. Brad is a TV color analyst for professional, collegiate, and high school baseball games, and a baseball analyst for local sports radio stations in Wisconsin.
Brad attended the UW-Madison Graduate School of Business, receiving a degree in Entrepreneurial Management in 2005.
Instructor Index - By Fundamental
Click Link above and search for your coach on the Upper Hand app to schedule 1-1 sessions.
HITTING
Recommended Hitting Coaches (Advanced Baseball and Softball)
Andy Cowley
Zach Pearl
Trevor Schmitt
Brad Woodall
John Bartlett
** All other coaches are available for hitting instruction for youth players
PITCHING- BASEBALL
Recommended Pitching Coaches (Advanced - Baseball)
Edward Calvo
Justin Grosse
Jacob Krenn
Avery White
Brad Woodall
____________
Youth Pitching
Andy Cowley
Zach Pearl
John Bartlett
PITCHING- SOFTBALL
John Bartlett
Olivia Cliff
Amanda Radke*
Samantha Brogan*
*Limited availability through June 1
FIELDING
All Coaches
Catching
Andy Cowley
Trevor Schmitt
Andy Cowley
Catching / Hitting /Fielding (Baseball/Softball)
Pitching (Baseball)
Head Catching Instructor at Silver Sluggers Academy.
Current assistant coach at Edgewood College. Over 25 years of baseball coaching experience.
Zach Pearl
Hitting / Pitching / Fielding (Baseball/Softball)
Ages 7-14
Specializing in youth (ages 7-13) player skills and mechanics.
Zach creates a fun environment for a young player to improve skills on the field.
Amanda Radke
Pitching (Softball)
All Ages
Head Softball Pitching Instructor at Silver Sluggers Academy. Four year letter winner and conference champion at UW-Whitewater Warhawk Softball. Current pitching coach at Oregon HS..
Samantha Brogan
Pitching/Hitting/Fielding (Softball)
All Ages
- Years of experience teaching lessons, clinics and teams (Michigan)
- Individual and team coach for numerous college players
- Played in the Little League World Series in 2012
- Current Assistant Coach at McFarland High School
- Specializes in giving each player a solid foundation of mechanics and strategy to help pitchers maximize their velocity and control.
Scott Zagrodnik
Hitting / Fielding (Baseball /Softball)
All Ages
Co-Director of Hitting and Head Fielding Instructor at Silver Sluggers Academy.
Over 17 years experience instructing baseball and softball players of all ages with various academies in the Madison area. Professional instructor of swing and fielding mechanics for over a decade.
Jacob Krenn
Baseball Pitching, Hitting, Fielding
All Ages
Edgewood College Pitcher - 2021-2024
Specializes in Pitching and hitting mechanics for youth and high school players. Experienced in rehab/prehab movements to help players understand the mechanics of pitching, hitting, fielding
Justin Grosse
Justin Grosse – Director of Strength & Speed | Head Baseball Coach
Justin grew up in the Madison area, where he went on to play college baseball at Madison College and Edgewood College. During his summers, he competed in elite collegiate leagues with the Madison Mallards and the Westhampton Aviators, gaining experience against top talent from around the country.
Now serving as the Director of Strength and Speed and a Head Baseball Coach at Silver Sluggers, Justin works with athletes ranging from youth to collegiate levels. His coaching focuses on developing complete athletes by combining baseball skill work with performance training.
Justin’s areas of expertise include:
- Building athleticism and overall movement efficiency
- Customizing throwing and hitting mechanics to fit each athlete’s unique build and style
- Designing smart, effective training plans that prioritize performance and injury prevention
With firsthand playing experience and a deep understanding of player development, Justin is committed to helping every athlete move better, feel better, and play better.
John Bartlett
Hitting / Fielding (Baseball /Softball)
Pitching (Softball/Baseball)
Over 25 years experience instructing baseball and softball players of all ages with the Doyle Baseball Academy.
Site Director of USA Baseball Academy Camps and nearly a decade as Clinics Director and Instructor with Silver Sluggers
Specializes in Softball Hitting and Fielding, Slap Hitting and Bunting
Jeff Rickett
Baseball and Softball
Catching, Hitting, Fielding, Pitching (Baseball)
- Over 20 years as a coach and teacher
- Team Coach and Lead Clinic Instructor for Silver Sluggers
- 15 years experience with individual instruction
- Specializes in detailed mechanics for catching, hitting, fielding for all ages.
Trevor Schmitt
Baseball and Softball
Catching, Hitting, Fielding, Pitching (Baseball)
- Team Coach and Lead Instructor for Silver Sluggers
- Specializes in youth to middle school catching and hitting mechanics.
- Perfect coach for beginner to intermediate players looking to improve knowledge and fundamentals of baseball and softball