The 2023 MBCA 56th Annual Clinic
Hall of Fame Induction & Awards Ceremony
January 27th and 28th, 2023 • Four Points by Sheraton-Wakefield, MA
2023 Scheduled Speakers
Todd Fitz-Gerald
Stoneman Douglas HS, Florida
The MBCA is pleased to have one of the more exciting high school coaches in America speak to the association about how to build a championship program as well as the mental side of hitting. His teams are consistently ranked in the top 25 nationally, culminating with a #1 ranking from USA Today in 2008 and 2022. Coach Fitz-Gerald has successfully built two programs to national prominence – American Heritage and Stonemam Douglas and was named the BCA National Coach of the Year in 2022.
Todd Carroll
M.I.T.
Todd Carroll is the pitching coach at MIT and has coached in numerous programs, at various levels, and has dealt with a variety of skills. His coaching stints have included: UMass-Boston, Salem Community College, Harvard University, Mill City All Americans of the New England Collegiate Baseball League, Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, Head Coach of the Bennington Bombers of the New York Collegiate League, and MIT. The MBCA is excited to have Coach Carroll join the panel in presenting Drills and More Drills that will meets the needs of your program
Mike Gambino
Boston College
Mike Gambino will share his experience in coaching 1B and 3B with the MBCA members. Coach Gambino was an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2003-05 and returned in 2010 to take over the reigns. Gambino spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech under former BC head coach, Pete Hughes. He served as the Hokies’ recruiting coordinator and also worked with the hitters and infielders.
Ed Kahovec
Holy Cross
Ed Kahovec enters his third season as head coach of the Holy Cross baseball team and sixth year as a member of the Crusaders’ coaching staff in 2021-22.
The Crusaders have seen postseason success during Kahovec’s time on the coaching staff, earning a Patriot League title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2017. While at Holy Cross, he has coached seven players that signed professional contracts, including a pair of MLB draft picks. The MBCA is pleased to have Coach Kahovec speak on his baserunning philosophy and tips that will help every coach.
Mark McKenzie
Concordia University (retired)
Mark “Lunch” McKenzie concluded his 20th year as the head baseball coach at Concordia University, St. Paul in 2019 and remains on the staff as an assistant coach. The 2005 NSIC Coach of the Year became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2008 and carries a 456-361-1 overall career record, while leading the team to a 281-234 record in Northern Sun play. His 2009 team also holds the school wins record, finishing 35-18 overall while the 2014 and 2016 Golden Bears won a program record 20 Northern Sun games. In his time at Concordia, he’s had 19 players with professional baseball experience on their resumes. “Lunch” is a big believer in fundamentals and the MBCA is proud to welcome him to speak on the fundamentals of the game as well as the fundamentals of hitting.
Pete Pasquarosa
Wheaton College
Pete has been involved in coaching for more than two decades, is responsible for the development of all infielders and outfielders in addition to assisting with recruiting. Since 2004, he has served as an assistant coach with the Harwich Mariners of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) after coaching in 1991 with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox. Between 1988 and 2004, Pasquarosa coached at Franklin High School, including heading the varsity team for the final 13 years of that stint. Pasquarosa was also the school’s athletic director from 1992-2001. In 2000, he was honored as an American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) regional coach of the year and earned a top coaching accolade from the Boston Globe. Two years later, Pasquarosa was lauded at Fenway Park for earning a statewide sportsmanship award. Pasquarosa served as the head instructor for the Franklin-based Tri-Valley Baseball camps from 1988-2003 and was the director of baseball clinics at Boston College in 2005 and 2006. He also spent time as a Bay State Games coach from 1994-2003. Beyond coaching, Pasquarosa has produced articles that have been published in coaching and physical education publications while also speaking at major coaching functions. The MBCA is excited to have one of its HOF members present on preparing infielders through repetition at the clinic.
Nick Puccio
Northeastern University
Nick Puccio serves as the hitting coach at Northeastern. Before coming to Northeastern, Coach Puccio led the resurgence of a fledgling Nichols College program that went from single digit victory seasons to consistent 20+ win campaigns. Before heading up Nichols College, Coach Puccio spent two years at Wheaton College as an assistant where he helped guide them to a College World Series. Coach Puccio has been an integral part of every program’s offensive development and success throughout his career and the MBCA is excited for him to share his baserunning philosophies and how to teach the finer aspects of baserunning
Joe O’Connor
Advanced Physical Therapy
Joe, the clinic director and owner of Advance PT & SR, has more than twenty years of experience in the field of Physical Therapy. Joe received a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University. He is an APTA board-certified Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS), demonstrating a high level of competency working with the athletic population. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), displaying in-depth knowledge of exercise techniques and specific adaptations as it pertains to human anatomy & physiology. He is educated in rehabilitation, injury prevention, emergency care, and other areas related to the field of Sports Medicine. Joe has several years of experience providing rehabilitation and field coverage services to athletes at both the youth and professional levels.
Tim Saunders
Dublin HS (OH) – retired
- Coach Saunders retired from Dublin Coffman High School (2020) after amassing a record of 589-393. He led the Shamrocks to 13 league titles at Coffman HS and two league titles at Meigs HS. He won a State Championship in 2001 to go along with a state semifinal appearance in 2000. In 2012, he became the first coach from Ohio to be inducted into the National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and is currently the Executive Director of NHSBCA USA Baseball. He served on the USA Baseball staff from 1997-2015 and coached the first team to beat Cuba twice in 3-game series. Coach Saunders was inducted into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. and the Central District Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005. Coach Saunders will be presenting on baseball strategies and the basics of hitting.
Boston College
The MBCA is excited to hear Coach Sullivan talk about how to maximize the development of outfielders as he has become one of the top coaches in the ACC at developing outfielders. Lexington HS graduate Chris Shaw (2015 1st Rounder of the SF Giants) developed his outfield skills under Coach Sullivan after coming in as an infielder. Before coming to BC, Sullivan spent four seasons as the head coach at Newbury College where he was named the National Coach of the Year by the Association of Division III Independents in 2008.
A 2006 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State, Coach Sullivan was a four-year starter for Bill Holowaty and led the Warriors to three Division III national tournament appearances. He was also the recipient of the Francis E. Geissler Sportsperson of the Year his senior year, as well as the Rick Ganoe Coach’s Award and was named the team captain.