Meet Our Instructors

Baseball Hitting Instructor
TJ Wilcoxson
TJ grew up playing sports in North Carolina and Arizona and played two years of Junior College in Arizona before transferring to Concordia University to play baseball and study Exercise Science. He has owned his own business and has excelled as a High School and Collegiate coach and private instructor. He currently coaches Bloodline Baseball in the Arizona Collegiate Wood Bat League every summer and is assistant coach at Desert Ridge High School in Mesa. He and his two partners founded Bloodline Sports, LLC. A company that promotes student athletes and prepares them for the Collegiate Level.

Baseball Hitting Instructor
Scott Hairston
Scott comes from the largest family lineage of Major Leaguers in history. His grandfather, Sam, played for the Chicago White Sox in 1951. His Uncle, John, played for the Chicago Cubs in 1969. His father, Jerry Sr, played 13 seasons for the Chicago White Sox & Pirates. His brother, Jerry Jr, played 16 seasons for 9 different teams. Making his debut in May of 2004, Scott made history by being the 5th member of his family to play Major League Baseball. He went on to play 11 seasons for 6 different teams, hitting 106 home runs and 113 RBIs. Since his retirement from professional baseball in 2016, he has turned his passion for playing into teaching. His focus is teaching the fundamentals and techniques he was taught by his father and many coaches he had throughout his career. Scotts knowledge of the game has played a key role in developing our local youth to becoming elite players and maximizing their abilities.

Softball Pitching Instructor
Rocky Parra
Rocky's career is adorned with accolades and significant contributions to the world of softball. His decades of dedication to the sport as a player and coach at various levels have shaped varsity high school programs, travel teams, and youth coaching initiatives across Arizona. Serving as the Grand Canyon State Games Commissioner in 2001 and 2002, Rocky also claimed the esteemed title of AIA Softball Coach of the Year in 2016. In 2024, he brings his expertise to Casteel High School in Queen Creek as an assistant to Varsity Softball Coach Jessica Parra Bonilla. Prior to this, he led San Tan Jr. High, Chandler, to seven East Valley Conference Championships since 2016 and Hamilton Varsity Softball for 12 years winning 2 State Championships and 2 state runners up. His previous coaching roles have had a significant influence at schools like Basha High, Highland High, Mountain Pointe High, and Chaparral High.

Softball Hitting & Fielding Instructor
Allie Skaggs
Allie is a current professional softball player who recently finished out her collegiate career at the University of Arizona. In her four years as a Wildcat, Allie became an NFCA All-American, a Rawlings Gold Glover, and a PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. She provides instruction on hitting, defense, and the mental side of the game. Allie enjoys working with players of all ages and skill levels, and helps athletes pursue their dreams of becoming elite.

Baseball Pitching Instructor
Tyler Driver
Tyler excelled at Crossroads FLEX High School in Cary, North Carolina, where his passion for baseball turned into a launching pad for his professional aspirations. Upon graduation, his dedication and hard work materialized as he was drafted in the 18th round of the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Seattle Mariners, a testament to his potential and the high expectations scouts had for him. During his two years in the minor leagues with the Mariners, Tyler continued to hone his craft and develop into a reliable closer. His fastball consistently reaches 97 miles per hour and is complemented by a devastating slider that has batters swinging and missing.

Baseball Hitting & Catching Instructor
Matt Ceriani
Matt Ceriani spent a 13-year career as a pro catcher, highlighted by numerous accolades including the SEC Defensive Catcher of the Year and a spot on the Team USA 50 man roster, laid the foundation for his expertise in coaching and player development. ​ After his successful playing career, which featured international competitions such as the World Baseball Classic Italy and stints with 21 pro teams, Matt transitioned into coaching. His passion for nurturing talent is evident through his role as a private catching and hitting instructor and his work as an undergraduate assistant coach at Ole Miss. ​ Not content with just imparting his knowledge of the game, Matt has also made strides in the technological side of sports. He is the inventor of a patented throwing technology now utilized in MLB and the founder of Caught Stealing LLC, a company dedicated to the most accurate wearable throwing data collection available.

Softball Catching Instructor
Grace Rana
Grace, a skilled and passionate softball player, is a catcher at the University of New Mexico, where she showcases her talent and leadership on the field. A 2022 high school graduate, Grace's expertise behind the plate—combining sharp instincts, a strong arm, and excellent game management—has made her a cornerstone of her team. Beyond her collegiate career, she shares her love for the game as a catching coach for the AZ Dingers, where she is a wonderful asset to the program. Grace's ability to connect with kids and teach the fundamentals of catching with patience and enthusiasm has made her a favorite among young players and parents alike, inspiring the next generation of softball stars.

Baseball Pitching Instructor
Anthony Slama
Anthony Salma is a former professional baseball player who carved his niche with the Minnesota Twins, taking to the field with them for the majority of his eight-year career. He made a memorable splash into the major leagues ("the show") in 2010 and 2011, showcasing the talent that got him drafted. Despite battling injuries which led to his retirement in 2015, Anthony demonstrated resilience and skill, including a final year in independent ball. Before his professional turn of play, Anthony shined at the University of San Diego, contributing significantly to his team's appearance in the WCC tournament and securing a spot as a #8 National seed in the collegiate tournament. He exemplified the student-athlete ideal, graduating with a degree from USD before answering the call of the major leagues. Post-retirement, Anthony remains a figure in the world of baseball, embodying the spirit and dedication of the game.

Baseball Hitting & Catching Instructor
Ashtin Webb
Ashtin Webb is an experienced baseball coach dedicated to helping players improve their skills in both catching and hitting. With a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the game, he emphasizes the importance of proper technique, footwork, and focus during lessons. Whether teaching young athletes how to track and catch the ball effectively or refining a player's swing for maximum power and consistency, he works to create a positive, motivating environment for players to develop confidence, mental toughness and mastery in these key areas of the game.

Softball Hitting & Catching Instructor
Asia Jones
With 11+ years of experience, Asia has excelled in catching and hitting, earning accolades at American Leadership Academy and Phoenix College. Now, she brings her passion and expertise to our community, focusing on mechanics and strength training.

Baseball Hitting Instructor
Jason Pridie
Jason was born and raised in Arizona, attending high school at Prescott High. Jason was drafted in 2002, signed and played professional baseball until 2017 reaching the major leagues as well as playing in Japan. Jason, who is married with four young boys, is currently a firefighter in Queen Creek. Jason enjoys passing along the knowledge he was fortunate to have gained through his long professional baseball career onto the next generation of baseball and softball players.

Baseball Hitting Instructor
Josh Lusby
Josh was a multi-sport athlete in college playing both baseball (University of Missouri St. Louis) and hockey (University of Arizona) before pursuing a professional career in hockey. In 2021 he started a hitter’s training platform which focuses on getting individual players ready to face the highest level of competition. Josh now spends the bulk of his off-season training MLB/MiLB players, as well as helping both NCAA Baseball and NCAA Softball hitters prepare for their upcoming seasons.

Softball Pitching/Hitting/Feilding Instructor
Taryn Lennon
Hi, I’m Taryn Lennon! I played D1 softball at Brigham Young University as a pitcher, outfielder, and hitter and am originally from California. During my time at BYU, I helped lead our team to two conference championships and a postseason run. In my senior year, I competed in the Big 12 Conference and beat Oklahoma! Most recently, I spent the past year as a Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of South Florida, where we made history by winning our first-ever conference championship. I’m passionate about helping the next generation of athletes grow both on and off the field.

Mental Performance | Hitting | Catching | Infield
Caleb Woodson
Caleb brings over a decade of elite-level coaching experience across Division I, summer collegiate, professional, and high school baseball. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Caleb played Division I baseball at Lipscomb University and holds a B.S. in Psychology (2015) and an M.S. in Psychology with an emphasis in Coaching from Grand Canyon University. His coaching journey has spanned every level of the game—beginning with Team Elite in Atlanta, then working with the Cincinnati Reds as a Developmental Camp Leader, and most recently at Liberty High School (2024). He served three seasons in AAA with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) organization as a bullpen catcher and development coach. At the collegiate level, Caleb has coached at the University of Evansville (2017–2019), and Florida Southern College (2021). Caleb also managed in two prestigious summer leagues: the Coastal Plain League (Fayetteville SwampDogs, 2018) and the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League (Richmond Jazz, 2019). Specializing in the mental game, hitting, catching, and infield development, Caleb is known for blending tactical instruction with psychology-backed coaching strategies. He develops complete athletes—on the field and in life—and prepares them to thrive under pressure, lead with confidence, and master the game’s toughest moments. IG: @cmwoody

Baseball Pitching Instructor
John Havird
John built a career in baseball packed with dedication, experience, and passion for the game. Starting at Mesa Community College, John showcased his talent on the field, earning a National Championship title in 2014. He continued his collegiate career at Ohio State, developing further as an elite athlete. Following his college success, John played professionally in the Frontier League for four years, gaining invaluable insights into the demands and nuances of the game at a competitive level. For the past five years, John has channeled his deep knowledge and experience into coaching, helping athletes of all ages and skill levels elevate their game. Currently an enthusiastic Assistant Coach at Mesa Community College, John is committed to guiding players toward their full potential, both on and off the field. He specializes in providing expert lessons in baseball hitting, fielding, pitching, and catching. Whether you're refining your swing, perfecting your throw, or enhancing your defensive tactics, John brings a personalized and motivating approach to every training session.
Train at Our Facility
Are you a private baseball or softball instructor looking for a facility to offer your trainings? You are welcome at AZ Dingers!
We offer discounted rates for tunnel rentals for lessons provided by instructors and coaches.
480-410-4945