Staff

Tyler Thompson

Director of Sparks High School

High School: ‘07 Carl Sandburg
Playing experience: ’09 Joliet Junior College & ’11 Robert Morris University

• Director of Baseball Operations at Cangelosi Baseball since 2013
• NJCAA National Champion as a player (2008) and a coach (2012)

Rick Balcaitis

Director of Sparks Youth

High School: 
Playing experience: 

Dean Anna

Director of Player Development

High School: ’05 Lincoln-Way East
Playing experience: ’08 Ball State University

• 2008, 26th round by San Diego Padres
• 2013 AAA Pacific Coast League Batting Champion (avg. 331)
• 2014 debuted with the New York Yankees

John Cangelosi

Hitting Coach

High School: ’81 Miami Springs
Playing experience: ’82 Miami Dade/4th round Chicago White Sox

• Won the World Series in 1997 with the Florida Marlins
• Played 13 seasons in the big leagues with 7 different teams

Tom Knapczyk

Assistant Director

High School: 
Playing experience: 

Garrick Pranchke

Hitting Coach

High School: ’89 Andrew
Playing experience: ’95 Grand Valley State

• Coached at Grand Valley State University from ’96-98
• Current hitting coach at Providence Catholic, ’14-’16 State Champs