Phil Apostle

Academy Director/Boys of Summer P.H.C. President

Member: American Baseball Coaches Association

Email: papostle@thestrikezone.org

After a successful high school and collegiate career and two stints in major league camps, Phil turned his attention to coaching and turned his obsession with hitting a baseball into a full-time pursuit. Coach Apostle has given more private lessons over the last decade than anyone else known on the North Shore and consistently turns out the areas finest and confident hitters. Through his youth and young adult educations at the finest hitting schools in the country, he studied under a host of major league players and coaches as well as some of the country's best hitting instructors. Today, Coach Apostle combines the finest points of linear movement with rotational power in his teaching. Coach Apostle is also the founder and Director of the "Boys of Summer" advanced hitting camps and currently has over twenty students playing at all levels of collegiate and professional baseball. Over the past six years Coach Apostle's students have earned 33 I.H.S.A. all conference honors as well as seven division one scholarships. In addition, he has coached several traveling teams from 11 year-olds through 18 year-olds on the North Shore and has earned National births four times and two state titles. Currently, he is the Head Coach of the new Chicago Jacks 17U baseball club beginning play in 2007. Phil and his wife Sari have four children spanning 5 years and keep busy. Phil is in his twelfth season with the Zone.

Paul Kosinski

Strike Zone Manager & Instructor

Director of Pitching Instruction

Email: pkosinski@thestrikezone.org

A product of St. Patrick HS and Northern Illinois University, Coach Paul Kosinski enters his ninth year as an instructor at the "Zone". A disciple of the legendary pitching instructor Tom House, the former pitcher/centerfielder has established himself as one of the premier pitching instructors in the Chicago area. Dating back to 1992, Coach "K" has a lengthy history as both a high school and youth traveling baseball coach. He has the distinction of having served on the coaching staffs of three IHSA Coaching Hall of Fame Inductees - Kirby Smith at Barrington HS, Dan "Duck" Hogan at Notre Dame HS and Mike Napoleon at New Trier HS. He also serves as Head Coach for the New Trier Thunder (a summer 15YO traveling tournament team), Assistant Coach for the NTHS summer varsity team and as Director of New Trier fall ball program. During his six year coaching stint at Notre Dame HS, Coach "K" also ran the Renegades 13YO traveling team. While Coach "K" primarily works with junior high and high school pitchers and catchers, he is also available to work with pitchers and catchers age 10 and up.

Amanda Carlson

Director of Softball/Scheduling

Email: acarlson@thestrikezone.org

Coach Amanda Carlson returns for yet another season of instruction at the Strike Zone. Amanda both played and coached at Trinity College before joining Strike Zone in 1998. Amanda has earned a reputation as one of the best private softball hitting instructors in the area. Amanda combines an upbeat, friendly personality with an outstanding ability to communicate with athletes of almost any age and skill level. In addition, she has an extensive knowledge of hitting and employs a wide variety of up-to-date techniques to get the most out of her students. All these qualities make Coach Carlson a highly popular and sought after private instructor. She is currently the head girls softball coach at Evanston High School. Amanda is involved with numerous community outreach programs both inside and outside of her profession and is the rightful master of The Strike Zone’s unofficial mascot, her dog, "Addidas".

Joe Knudsen

General & Advanced Instruction/Special Needs

Email: jknudsen@thestrikezone.org

In his ninth season with The Strike Zone, Joe is always one of our most preferred instructors. Now a full-time staff member, Joe is positive and knowledgeable in all phases of the game Joe excelled as a situational hitter as well as a pitcher at Wisconsin-Parkside. He worked under the tutelage of former major-leaguer and renowned coach Chris Bando and imparts the right way to play to students of all ages. His work as a coach with Niles West High School and his outstanding performance with various travel programs on the North Shore have earned him National recognition for coaching excellence. Joe is also exceptional with students with special needs and is available for team assistance as well as coaching clinics. Joe is currently the assistant head baseball coach for Evanston High School. Joe is available for students of all ages September through June.

Nathan Stillwell

Pitching / Youth Hitting

Email: nstillwell@thestrikezone.org

Another disciple of the legendary Tom House, Nathan earned all- area honors out of Naperville North High School before earning a spot in the Northern Illinois University rotation as a freshman. In four years as a starter he compiled a .667 winning percentage including an unbeaten season in 2003. Nathan believes that mechanical, physical and mental aspects of pitching must be in balance to produce consistent results. He is available for pitchers of all ages and also is a fine youth hitting instructor. Nathan is suitable for all ages of pitchers and hitters 14 & under.

Blake Rutkowski

Advanced Hitting / General Skills

An former Chicago Tribune all-state performer at Glenbrook South High School, Blake went on to star at the University of Michigan where he started in centerfield for the Wolverines. A 2000 draft-pick of the Minnesota Twins, Blake brings his considerable playing knowledge along with his instructional expertise to the Strike Zone again for 2007/08. Blake's skills are appropriate for all ages, but he is best suited for the advanced hitter who is looking to find his offensive role and maximize his skills within his body-type. Blake is available for hitters age 11 & up.

Matt LaFontaine

Matt LaFontaine is a talented up and coming coach who has coached successfully at the HS level as well as his established work in the NT Pony program. Matt is passionate about his work with young players and we are proud to have him on staff for the winter 2008. Matt works well with pitchers and hitters ages 7-14 and is available Tuesday through Saturday

Dave Harvey

A former American legion player and NTHS player, Dave enlisted in the US Marine Corps and, while stationed in the DC area, began pitching professionally for Woodbridge, VA. Dave is an exceptional communicator with young people and has enjoyed tremendous success teaching the game the past few years. From basic hitting principles to advanced pitching, Dave is a great addition to our staff for 2007-2008. Dave is available weekdays from 4-10PM.

Josh Boock

Josh Boock is one of the brightest young coaches in the Chicagoland area. His work with Renegades baseball has earned him National recognition as a strategist and developer of young talent. Equally talented with hitters and pitchers, Josh is patient and relates well with virtuyally any age student. Discipline and positive attitude are his trademarks. Josh was himself a standout player in high school and college and brings his fantastic resume on board The Strike Zone in 2007-2008.

Bill Madlock

Bill Madlock, a four-time NL batting champion and former All-Star MVP is back for another season at the Srtrike Zone. Keeping things simple and positive, Coach Madlock uses fundamentals and playing experience to help guide his students through high energy workouts beginning in November and continuing through May of 2008. Coach Madlock is appropriate for all ages and specializes in ages 11 & up.

Mark Mazzone

Former New Trier captain, Amherst University standout, and Chicago Jacks coach Mark Mazzone is available for private lessons and clinics beginning in the Winter 2008. Coach Mazzone is among the finest young instructors in the area and relates to his players exceptionally well. Maz is a great motivator of young athletes and infield, hitting and intermediate pitching/throwing skills are among his specialties for all ages.

Zack Martin

Zach Martin is back again and available for lessons beginning in the fall 2007. Coach Martin, a true student of the game, is a natural with players 11 & up and is an exceptional hitting coach. A great sense of humor and old school toughness help Coach Martin challenge his students to become the best they can be. Book now for ages 9 & up.