Coach Luke Town
Pitching, Velocity, Recruiting Coordinator, IMPACT Pitcher Instructor, Certified MLB Scout
Owner and founder, former collegiate athlete, Coach Town has been coaching since the early 90’s and has helped hundreds of kids make it to college and some on to Pro Baseball. His proficient baseball and softball knowledge is beyond compare. A master coach and certified pro scout, he is dedicated to helping kids grow and achieve their dreams.
Coach Town specializes in arm care and is considered one of the best pitching coaches in the sport of baseball and one of the best throwing instructors for softball. He started studying biomechanics and kinesiology in 2000 from some of the most notable experts in the world.
Coach Bryan dickerson
AFA Director, Recruiting Coordinator, Hitting, Slapping, 1B Instructor
Coach Dickerson believes in being a lifelong learner and has a deep love for the game of softball. A former 2-sport Division II athlete at Northwest Missouri State University, Coach Dickerson is a National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC) Endorsed Hitting & Slapping Instructor and 1-star master coach.
During our winter training program he runs 1B training for both our fastpitch and baseball athletes and middle infield training for fastpitch along with Coach Town. He also serves as our director of fastpitch and recruiting coordinator for all of our softball athletes. His coaching philosophy is that every mistake has value if you have the humility to learn from it and that there is always work to be done in this game.
Coach phil thompson
Hitting and IMPACT Outfield Instructor
Coach Thompson has been with AFA since it started in 2016. He has extensive coaching experience with the collegiate team, San Diego Wave, as well as 5 years with The University of Kansas.
His college baseball career was spent at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo California and he also played with the Kansas City T-Bones for 1 season.
Coach Thompson is very energetic and loves coaching and teaching. He customizes each lesson based on the player’s level and skillset working on things such as mechanics, routine, and the fundamentals.
Dr. Ali Scruggs
Mental Performance Specialist, Hitting, Outfield Instructor
Coach Ali empowers athletes to perform at their best on a consistent basis by optimizing critical mental skills, like confidence, motivation, energy management, attention control, goal setting, and imagery. Her coaching philosophy centers around physically, psychologically, socially and morally training athletes for future success in sport and life. She believes coaches are the designers and deliverers of the sport experience; therefore, she is invested in promoting a positive atmosphere for individuals and teams to both thrive and pursue excellence.
With Coach Ali, individual and cultural differences are accepted, embraced, and viewed as elements of strength. She wants to “win athletes with sport”, not “win sport with athletes”. Coach Ali completed her doctorate in Sport and Performance Psychology in 2019; she is excited to teach individuals, teams, coaches, and parents how to optimize performance. A small speedy left-handed hitter/bunter/slapper and outfielder, Coach Ali played for Avila University for two years before playing her final two years at Pittsburg State University.
Coach AnnA Vasquez
Slapping, Fielding, and Hitting Instructor
Coach Vasquez is a former D3 softball third baseman and outfielder spending time at Defiance College in Defiance, OH.
Anna joined AFA in 2020 as a coach and instructor. In lessons with Coach Vasquez, you’ll gain insights into the significance of field positioning, correct slapping techniques, and the crucial role of footwork.
Coach Larry hawks
Pitching, Hitting, Catching, Infield Instructor
Coach Hawks is a former collegiate athlete playing at Central Missouri University where he was a two-time all-American position player while also being named the conference pitcher of the year. He was drafted by the San Diego Padres after his junior year and played three seasons of professional baseball.
Later on, after his playing career ended, he came back to CMU to coach hitting, catching, and infield fundamentals while also serving as the 3rd base coach. Coach Hawks was elected to the Mules Baseball Diamond Club Hall of Fame.
His coaching philosophy centers around maximizing each players unique athletic abilities while building confidence through challenging, yet attainable drills. Coach Hawks firmly believes the self-confidence derived from the hard work and attention to detail are necessary to become a great player.
Coach Eric Shempert
Hitting and IMPACT Strength Instructor
Coach Shempert had aspirations of playing college baseball from a young age, which set the foundation of the importance of strength and conditioning early on. He attended and played baseball at Avila University from 2015-2018. After that, his path consisted of obtaining a CSCS cert, working as a personal trainer, and attending a prestigious baseball internship program.
Since then, Coach Shempert has been AFA’s certified Strength and Conditioning coach, specializing in baseball and softball specific training. He has ran the IMPACT Strength program since 2020, working with nearly 200 athletes.
He has the following credentials:
- Bachelor’s Degree – Kinesiology & Organizational Development
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
- Biomechanics Certification
- Precision Nutrition L1 Certification
- Cressy Sports Performance Baseball training Internship
Coach Brad Boegel
Pitching and Velocity Instructor
Coach Boegel was a former JuCo and D1 collegiate right handed pitcher spending time at Maple Woods Community College and Murray State University.
Coach Boegel has been with AFA since it was started as a recruiter and private instructor.
His lessons are based off of the science of biomechanics to limit injuries and maximize velocity. You will learn form, command, mental strategy, as well as mound presence.
Coach Ethan axman
Pitching and Velocity Instructor
Coach Axman is a former D1/ D2 pitcher and is a product of ABA starting here as a player at 13 years old. He continued through the program until advancing to his college career.
After graduating high school he spent time as a right handed pitcher at Jefferson College, Lindenwood, and Missouri State University.
After college, Coach Axman became a private instructor with AFA. His lessons focus on technique: throwing with the body and not the arm to avoid injury. Most of Coach Axman’s lessons have the same core drills but are individualized based on each player’s movement.
Coach Charlie Skantze
Pitching, Velocity, IMPACT ARM Instructor
As a former D2 Pitcher, Coach Skantze specializes in arm health, injury and pain management, and overall athletic mobility in the IMPACT ARM class. He is also available for individual sessions.
Coach Skantze’s credentials include:
- A.S. Degree – Pitcher, Iowa Lakes CC
- B.S. in Exercise Science – Pitcher, UCM
- PTA Degree Penn Valley
- FMS Certified
- Florida Baseball Ranch – Assistant Director of Player Development
Coach chris cooper
Catching and IMPACT Catcher Instructor
Coach Cooper has been with AFA from the beginning as an IMPACT Catcher and catching instructor. His baseball career after High School started at Baker University where he was named HACC (Heart of America Athletic Conference) catcher of the year in both 1996 & 1997. Coach Cooper also represented his country in 1998 playing with Team USA in Europe and briefly participated in an independent professional baseball league.
Coach Cooper employs an old-school philosophy of hustle and hard nose play but uses a new school approach to teaching and coaching.
