Book Private Baseball Lessons with Coach Nate

As a standout 3-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, I demonstrated excellence, leadership, and dedication throughout my high school athletic career. On the basketball court, I embraced my role as a key defensive and rebounding specialist off the bench, contributing to back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015. My commitment to doing the gritty work that often goes unnoticed helped solidify our team’s dominance on the state level.

On the baseball diamond, I contributed to a remarkable 3rd-place finish at the state level in 2016.

In football, I made history as the team’s first-ever playoff leader, driving our program to its inaugural postseason appearance in 2016. As a quarterback, I shattered school records for passing yards and passing touchdowns in a single game, showcasing my offensive dominance. On defense, my achievements as a free safety were just as historic, holding school records for most interceptions in a season and the most interceptions in a single game.

My well-rounded athletic journey is defined by my passion for competition, a relentless work ethic, and a commitment to excellence in every sport I played. These accomplishments not only highlight my skills but also reflect my dedication to pushing boundaries and leading my teams to new heights.

As a private coach, I focus on helping athletes improve their game by emphasizing fundamentals, setting personalized goals, and tailoring guidance to their unique needs. I strive to create a supportive, judgment-free environment where athletes can grow in both skill and confidence. Teaching perseverance, accountability, and sportsmanship is just as important to me as refining their technical abilities. I also use our sessions to impart valuable life skills like discipline and leadership, ensuring they’re prepared for challenges both on and off the field. By providing constructive feedback and adapting my approach to each individual, I help my athletes achieve continuous improvement and holistic development.

A typical private training session begins with mental training, focusing on setting intentions, visualization, or mindfulness exercises to prepare the athlete mentally for the work ahead. This is followed by a dynamic warmup to ensure they are physically ready. Next, we focus on a skill breakdown, where I demonstrate and explain the core elements of the skill being developed. This leads into a skill drill, allowing the athlete to practice the skill in isolation with direct feedback. We then incorporate the skill into a game or competitive scenario, challenging the athlete to apply what they’ve learned in a realistic context. Afterward, we engage in skill reflection, discussing what worked, areas for improvement, and their overall experience. Finally, we build on the learned skill, reinforcing progress, and introduce the next skill to maintain momentum and engagement in their development journey.

I was blessed with not one but three fantastic coaches. Anthony Roa, Mitch Thompson, and Tom Neri, each of whom left a unique and lasting impact on me as both an athlete and a person.

Anthony Roa (Baseball)

Coach Roa stood out for his honesty and his mastery of technique and fundamentals. He didn’t just tell us what to do—he always had a clear “why” behind every drill or strategy, giving our training purpose and focus. He was never satisfied with what he already knew, constantly seeking to improve and evolve his coaching. Coach Roa listened to his athletes, valued our perspectives, and invested in the community, teaching us not only how to play better but also how to be better.

Mitch Thompson (Basketball)

Coach Thompson was the embodiment of energy and enthusiasm. He demanded perfection and held practices that seemed impossible to endure, but his determination and competitive spirit made you want to rise to the challenge. As a pure competitor, nothing got in his way, and he instilled that same drive in his players. What set him apart was how much effort and time he poured into us—it was clear he believed in “trusting the process,” and once we bought in, he made us feel unstoppable.

Tom Neri (Skyhawks Sports Academy Area Manager)

I had the awesome opportunity to work as a camp director for Tom in the Portland Metro Area. Coach Neri was a mastermind in building positive culture and blending brilliant schematics with detailed skill development and emphasized fun in all athletics. He was a storyteller and motivator, and his passion for Coach/Director success made us feel prepared for any situation. He believed in the power of team bonding through camps, traditions, and trainings, creating a sense of unity that transcended the Skyhawks name. His ability to bring us together and make every coach feel integral to the team was unmatched.

Each of these coaches left a profound mark on me, teaching lessons far beyond sports and helping shape who I am today.

Athletes and parents should know that I am a coach who prioritizes personal growth, strong culture, and the development of life skills through sports. My coaching philosophy is centered on growing humans—not just athletes. I strive to create an environment where individuals can learn to navigate challenges, celebrate winning moments, and respond to failure with resilience and determination.

As a former 3-sport athlete, I know the value of preparation, grit, and teamwork. From back-to-back state championships in basketball to leading a football team to its first-ever playoff berth, I’ve experienced both the thrill of victory and the lessons of adversity. These moments shaped my belief that sports are about more than just winning—they’re about learning how to win and lose with integrity, honoring the game with sportsmanship and high ethical standards.

I am deeply inspired by the coaches who left a lasting impact on me, like Anthony Roa, Mitch Thompson, and Steve Sheller. They taught me the importance of listening to athletes, fostering trust, and creating a culture of unity, respect, and effort. I now carry those lessons into my own coaching, where I focus on teaching accountability, perseverance, and love for the game.

Parents can trust that I am dedicated to helping athletes grow into confident, ethical, and compassionate individuals. I create a safe and supportive environment that challenges athletes to excel on and off the field, while also emphasizing the importance of respect, humility, and teamwork. My goal is not just to build successful athletes but to guide them in becoming exceptional people who honor the game and inspire those around them.