The Long Island Dodgers Nation Baseball Travel Program began in the fall of 2016. The program grew rapidly from its early beginnings and now includes 15+ baseball teams heading into the 2018 season. Age ranges for the baseball players cover 9U through 18U.
The Long Island Dodgers Nation Travel Baseball Program combines individualized instruction with a qualified and dedicated coaching staff to develop foundational elements required for long term baseball player and team success. Practices, drills and instruction are designed, organized and planned to deliver maximum development for each player. Players on each team will benefit from having very well qualified coaches that care about their players. The coaches work to develop a work ethic, passion and dogged determination that will help and guide young men in their baseball and academic life.
Christian Byrnes has traveled all over the world playing, teaching and coaching the game of baseball. At Bethpage H.S. in 1986 he led Long Island in batting at .544, breaking hitting and stolen base records and was 4 year Gold Glove Winner for his play at Shortstop. He also was voted All County and MVP of the All Star Game. He accepted a scholarship to Concordia College where he played Shortstop all 4 years. Concordia was ranked as high as 8th in the Country during his playing career. For his career, his batting average was .339 , stealing 51 bases and was named Captain his Senior Year. He had the honor of Coaching Diamond Pros Team USA to Championship in Australia, 2nd place finish in China, teaching in Finland, as well as all over USA both as a player and coach. In 2016 he was chosen by Topps Baseball Company to Coach first base for the Durham Bulls (Tampa Rays AAA Club) for the weekend. In the last 15 years he has traveled to Florida and Arizona for MLB spring training to learn from Coaches, all MLB drills and practice routines, which he implements here at LI Dodgers Nation. He worked for many years with Diamond Pros under travel baseball pioneer, Lou Santos, and learned from many hitting greats including former Yankee Roy White. Christian has run baseball instructional camps over the years and his experience as a Varsity Baseball Coach at Bethpage High School for the past 15 years has guided many of his former players on to the collegiate level.
Our coaching staff consists of former Major Leaguer Dave Von Ohlen, a well known local pitching instructor here on Long Island. Dave was signed by the NY Mets, and pitched in the majors for Cardinals, A’s, and Indians. Dave will be working with our pitchers throughout the winter. Reggie Jackson (son of Mets player and pitching guru Al Jackson) brings his wealth of baseball experience through playing, and coaching, scouting for NY Mets, Nationals and Royals. All of our coaches are uniquely qualified to ensure steady progress and development of individual players and teams. The coaches have worked in serious baseball environments either as players and/or instructors. All our coaches have had extensive training in our specialized program and have all played at least the Collegiate level. Each coach understands what it takes to be successful and perform at the highest levels. The coaches look to convey the important lessons they have learned over the years as student athletes aspiring to get the most out of their ability. They will help prepare your son in developing proper mindset with sharpened focus at practice and during games.
The coaching staff will also provide real world guidance for players that have an interest in playing college baseball. Truthful advice and feedback will be provided to parents on showcases and scouting. Coaches Christian Byrnes and Gene Walsh (LI Collegiate Astros Coach and Dodgers Nation College Coordinator) both serve as Head of Player Development and have helped match several former players to a college or baseball program that best accommodates the players academic, athletic and social well- being. They offer real world experience in this area and can help navigate parents and players.