I have been involved in baseball for nearly 27 years.  The past 15 years, I have been directly involved in baseball skill development for kids ages 6-22.  I also take pride in teaching kids to become better people through skill development off the field, connecting confidence, poise, perseverance, and competitive spirit.

 

It is also important for me to say that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior.  Everything in my life I owe to him and I'm forever grateful for his grace and forgiveness.  I often extend and share those things that Jesus has done for me to my players.  I also try to relate scripture's teachings to baseball to help my players understand God's grace that can relate to them in a modern way.  With all the wonderful things that have happened in my life, I've found myself feeling obligated to share these things with my players so that if they don't have that in their lives, I can help them find it.  This by no means makes me perfect because I am far from that.  But, I've learned through God's grace and forgiveness that my mistakes don't have to define me and that my belief in him does.  

  

In high school at Appleton North, I was a First Team All-State performer at shortstop and pitcher and Honorable Mention All-Midwest (Baseball America Magazine), leading North to three consecutive FVA conference titles.  I set a variety of FVA conference pitching records that still stand today.  I was able to learn a lot playing there under ABCA coaching Hall-of-Famer and coaching legend, Bruce Erickson.

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I played collegiately for Madison College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  In Madison, I learned from Leo Kalinowski and Brad Woodall.  Kalinowski guided Madison to three National Titles and is a highly regarded coach in the midwest for the past 30 years.  In addition, former major league pitcher and star at the University of North Carolina, Brad Woodall, was my pitching coach.  I learned a great deal from him on how to be mentally and physically prepared each time I took the field.  After my two years in Madison, I left being the schools all time record holder in innings pitched and second all time in strikeouts.  At Milwaukee, I earned all Horizon League honors my senior year after going 8-2 while winning a school best 8 games in a row.  Scott Doffek, Cory Bigler and former Milwaukee Brewer pitcher Jerry Augustine were my coaches and I learned a lot from them as well on all aspects of the game. 

 

I also played in the prestigious Northwoods League from 2003-2005 for the Mankato Moondogs and the Wisconsin Woodchucks.  In 2005, I set a Northwood League record in saves with 19.  In addition, I held a .050 ERA and only gave up 2 runs the entire summer in earning First Team Northwoods League Honors.  

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Baseball is and has always been my passion.  I enjoy teaching it and giving back to the game by teaching younger generations how to play it the right way.  Baseball has given me everything I have.  It has given me a path in life, a free college education, a roof over my head, and confidence in myself I might not otherwise have.  

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I have been directly involved with helping over 250+ players continue their careers into college and professional baseball.  The vast majority of those have received scholarship money with over 55 (and counting) at the division 1 level.  Most recently, former player Jake Sommers was drafted in the 10th round of the MLB draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.  

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If you have a son or are a player that wants to take his game to the next level, I can help.  I have the background, skills, passion, and connections to help you on your way.  

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Yours in baseball,

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Rick Cavaiani