Instructors

Owner Matt Mahay

  • Title/Position: Owner, Director of Player Development
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox

Matt Mahay joined the Play Ball USA team in January of 2008 as a Hitting Instructor. In the following years, Matt rose to Facility Manager and Program Coordinator before taking over as General Manager. In the Summer of 2013 Matt, along with Ross Wolfson purchased the business from former owner Nelson Gord.

Matt spent four years as a Varsity Outfielder for the North Central College Cardinals, while also seeing time at first base and on the mound. In 2007, Matt led the Cardinals in hitting as a Junior and finished his Junior and Senior seasons ranking first or second in nearly all major offensive categories. Matt's experience also extends to four summers of semi-pro ball in the Chicago Suburban Baseball League as an Oak Forest Shooter. In the summer of 2007, Matt was one of two Division III players to be named to the league's All-College team.

Coach Mahay has experience working with a variety of ages and experience levels. He is currently a member of the Illinois Indians coaching staff and oversees the youth level program for the Illinois Travel Baseball Club. In 2013 Matt was named Head Coach of the USA Baseball NTIS Great Lakes 12U team that competes annually in Cary, NC at the USA Baseball Complex.  

  • 4-year starter at North Central College
  • Member of Play Ball USA Staff since 2008
  • Director of Illinois Travel Baseball Club Program
  • Former Illinois Indians Head Coach and Program Director
  • Former Head Coach for USA Baseball NTIS Great Lakes Region
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Larry Giovinco

  • Title/Position: Director and Coach, ITB Marucci Program
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago Cubs

Larry has over 20 years experience as a Hitting and Catching Instructor.  His goal is to instill in players the same passion and love for the game that he has. Larry prides himself on teaching the rewards of hard work, as well as the mental aspect of the game.

  • Larry currently coaches the 15U -18U for the Illinois Travel Baseball Club
  • Currently ITB Marucci Program Director and ITB Player & Program Director/Coaching Development Trainer
  • Worked in Las Vegas High School Feeder Program for 20 years
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Tim Mahay

  • Title/Position: Head Strength & Conditioning Instructor
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox
  • Illinois Travel Baseball Club Alumni
  • 2-Year Varsity Center Fielder at Brother Rice High School in Chicago.
  • After Labrum reconstructive surgery post graduation in 2017, Tim decided to pursue a career in Sport Rehabilitation/Performance Enhancement.  
  • Received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Dayton in Exercise and Movement/Pre Physical Therapy in 2021. 
  • Specializes in designing safe and effective strength training and conditioning programs for individual athletes as well as teams.  
  • Provides guidance in injury prevention and proper techniques for sport-specific exercises that enhance performance and bodily function. 
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Sal Biondo

  • Title/Position: Pitching/Defense Instructor
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox
  • 4-year baseball player at Ridgewood High School (all conference 2016) 
  • 4-year pitcher at Concordia University-Chicago (CUC), the #1 DIII team in the nation in 2018/2019 
  • 2x College World Series appearance for CUC 
  • Location(s): Player Development Academy
Instructor Michael Brazeau

  • Title/Position: Hitting/Fielding Instructor
  • Member of a amateur men's league player for 20+ years.
  • Certified through ASEP.
  • Coaching experience includes youth and adult beginners, High School, and College Club - baseball or softball.
  • Focus is on the kinetic chain of a players swing as well as mental aggression, getting on base and scoring.
  • Once the basics are mastered, he introduces advance hitting mechanics for players hitting the warning track looking for that long ball. 
  • Michael can help you develop your baseball or softball skill set, to be the best player you can be.
  • Location(s): Player Development Academy

  • Title/Position: Hitting/Infield Instructor
  • Favorite MLB Team: San Diego Padres
  • Play Ball USA and Illinois Travel Baseball Club Alumni 
  • Was a 4-year Varsity player at Maine West High School earning All Conference twice and All Area once
  • Played 1 year at Webster University 
  • Moved on to play Infield for North Central College where Eric double majored in Marketing and Management 
  • All 4 years of college he was a NCAA regional tournament participant and was named Second Team All CCIW in 2018
  • In 2020 he was named to the D3baseball.com Spring Team
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Jared Wojcik

  • Title/Position: Hitting/Fielding Instructor
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago Cubs
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Anthony Alvarez

  • Title/Position: Hitting, Catching, & Defense Instructor
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox

 

  • 2014-2017 Taft High School 4 year Varsity starting catcher (all conference 2016 and 2017) CPS all star 2017
  • Oakton Community College 2017-2018 NJCAA DIII National Champion 
  • Travel Ball 3 year Illinois Travel Baseball Club Alumni •
  • Pro Experience 2020 Spring training with Toros De Tijuana 2020-2021 MLB Partner League 2022 Chicago Dogs
  • Location(s): Player Development Academy
Lucia Ibarra

  • Title/Position: Customer Relations Manager and Scheduling Coordinator
  • Favorite MLB Team: Chicago Cubs

Since joining Play Ball USA team in September 2021, Lucia is the first face you see when entering our facility.  She is responsible for customer relations, memberships, Instructor scheduling, and coordinating rentals.  Lucia will be able to match your player with the appropriate Instructor based on player need and skill level.

  • First Aid, CPR, AED Certified
  • Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy