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 the 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.

Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Chris Michals

Title/Position: Director of Pitching, Hitting Instructor, Co-Owner
Favorite MLB Team: San Diego Padres
  • Pitcher at Oakton Community College (2010) 
  • 6 year professional international pitcher/infielder: Slovakia (2012 inter-league champion), Czech Republic (2013), Switzerland (2014-2017, Swiss Champion)
  • Assistant Coach for the Slovakian National Team in 2012
  • Director of Pitcher Development at Play Ball USA
  • Specializes in biomechanics, velocity development, pitch design, video (Rapsodo) analysis, injury prevention
Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Nata Segura

Title/Position: Hitting/Defense/Catching Instructor, Facility Manager
Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox
  • Four Year Starter at St. Patrick High School 
  • Catcher at Adrian College (A top 20 DIII baseball program) 
  • 6 Year Play Ball USA Alumni 
  • Illinois Travel Baseball Club Alum 
Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy
Instructor Sal Biondo

Title/Position: Pitching/Defense instructor, Facility Manager
Favorite MLB Team: Chicago White Sox
  • 4-year baseball player at Ridgewood Highschool (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 Angel Sanchez

Title/Position: Pitching and hitting instructor
Favorite MLB Team: Chicago Cubs
  • Pitcher at Waubonsee Community College 2013-2014 (1st team All American, 1st team All-Area, 1st team All-Conference, Pitcher of the Year 2014, National-bound 2013-2014)
  • Pitcher at Judson University 2014-2016 (1st team All American, 1st team All-Area, 1st team All-Conference)
  • Assistant Coach for the Illinois Slammers in 2017 
Location(s): Team Training Center, 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 year 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 Team in the spring
Location(s): Team Training Center, Player Development Academy