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Baseball Coaching Staff

Mike Bess

Mike began his baseball career at the age of twenty-one when he attended the Baseball Umpire Development School in St. Petersburg, Florida and was assigned to umpire in the New York-Pennsylvania Professional League.  After two years of minor league umpiring, he returned to his home town of Battle Creek, Michigan and started his coaching career as an assistant at Kellogg Community College.  He was named the Head coach at KCC in 1978 where he coached for three years winning conference titles and two runner-up finishes in the Region XII Jr. College Tournament.  He resigned from his post at Kellogg to resume umpiring college baseball for ten years.  He accepted the Head Coaching position At St. Philip Catholic Central in 1992 winning over 300 games, setting school records for wins in a season and career.  During his time at St. Phil he placed over twenty players into the college ranks.  His teams put together a record 42 game conference win streak and he earned multiple coaching awards.  Mike rmarried his wife, Colleen and relocated to the Lansing area in 2008 and joined the East Lansing Baseball Staff in 2009. He currently is the Freshman coach for Trojan Head Coach Mark Pendred whom started his career as Mike's JV Coach at St. Philip.
Mike has been inducted into the Battle Creek Baseball Wall of Fame and is a member of the St. Philip Hall of Fame.
In addition, while residing in Battle Creek, Mike was Tournament Director of the American Amateur Baseball Congress's Stan Musial World Series six years and coached youth amateur teams at virtually every age level winning numerous city district and state titles. With his extensive experience in coaching, officiating and administration he has developed a personal  nationwide baseball network of collegues and friends invaluable in guiding the Academy and assisting young players on their path to success.

Mike Bess, baseball, coach, Grand Slam directorMike began his baseball career at the age of twenty-one when he attended the Baseball Umpire Development School in St. Petersburg, Florida and was assigned to umpire in the New York-Pennsylvania Professional League.  After two years of minor league umpiring, he returned to his home town of Battle Creek, Michigan and started his coaching career as an assistant at Kellogg Community College.  He was named the Head coach at KCC in 1978 where he coached for three years winning conference titles and two runner-up finishes in the Region XII Jr. College Tournament.  He resigned from his post at Kellogg to resume umpiring college baseball for ten years.  He accepted the Head Coaching position At St. Philip Catholic Central in 1992 winning over 300 games, setting school records for wins in a season and career.  During his time at St. Phil he placed over twenty players into the college ranks.  His teams put together a record 42 game conference win streak and he earned multiple coaching awards.  Mike rmarried his wife, Colleen and relocated to the Lansing area in 2008 and joined the East Lansing Baseball Staff in 2009. He currently is the Freshman coach for Trojan Head Coach Mark Pendred whom started his career as Mike's JV Coach at St. Philip.

Mike has been inducted into the Battle Creek Baseball Wall of Fame and is a member of the St. Philip Hall of Fame.

In addition, while residing in Battle Creek, Mike was Tournament Director of the American Amateur Baseball Congress's Stan Musial World Series six years and coached youth amateur teams at virtually every age level winning numerous city district and state titles. With his extensive experience in coaching, officiating and administration he has developed a personal  nationwide baseball network of collegues and friends invaluable in guiding the Academy and assisting young players on their path to success.

 

 

Marlon Wright

Coach Wright does baseball lessons with an emphasis on pitching, ages 8-18.  He works with  beginners, high schoolers aspiring to play at the next level/make coaching contacts or college pitchers looking to sharpen their skill set and mechanics. Over 30 years of baseball experience.  Member of the 1993 Ferris State University GLIAC championship team, pitcher.  Member of the 1997 University of Michigan Big Ten championship team, pitcher.  Marlon's College coaches have a combined 25 years of Major League Baseball playing experience which include, multiple Gold Gloves, All Star Game appearances and a World Series championship.  Have been introduced to teachings of Tommy LaSorda, Sparky Anderson, Alan Trammell, Nolan Ryan, Bill Freehan, Geoff Zahn and many more.  20 former teammates who have went on to play professional baseball with 6 making it to the Major League level, 1 winning a World Series ring.  Worked 3 MLB All Star games(Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis) with MLB Productions, gaining the game's top perspectives and analysis.  Active member of Division 1 and 2 college camp coaching community in the Midwest. Coach Wright will head up Grand Slam Baseball Academy's 9 and under team in 2011.

 

Zack Leonard

Zack is one of the most decorated players to ever wear the uniform at Eastern Michigan University.  He ranks first all-time in at bats(927), hits(315), and doubles(63); Second all-time in runs batted in(176); Third in runs scored(172); Tied for 12th in home runs(24) and 10th in career batting average(.340).  He made his senior season his best, posting a batting average of .372 with 87 hits, a career-high 53 runs scored, 37 runs batted in, and a career-high 18 doubles.  His 315 career hits ranks him seventh among NCAA Division I career hit leaders.

He is a three-time MAC West Player of the Week and a three-time MACMale Scholar-Athlete of the Week selection.  He was named to the MAC All-Tournament team threee times in his career, 2008, 2010 and 2011.  He hit in 17 straight MAC tournament games.  He is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection and was the 2008 MAC Tournament MVP as a freshman under current Michigan State University Coach Jake Boss, Jr.

Zack graduated Magna Cum Laude from EMU with a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.