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Our VISION
We use sports as the vehicle to develop strong character, understand the importance of respect for oneself and others, and to be both gracious in defeat, as well as humble in victory.
Our STAFF
MIKE OTT
Founder/Owner
Mike played High School baseball, St. Louis Amateur Baseball Association and played Club Baseball in Springfield, MO while attending Drury University. He has coached Youth Baseball at the highest national level for 8 years and co-founded the STL Legacy Youth Baseball team that is now known as the 13U Recruits Legacy AAA-Major.
craig ringe
DIRECTOR OF
BASEBALL OPERATIONS
-All American Award Winner at Baseball Powerhouse University of Central Missouri
-Drafted by the Texas Rangers
Played 5 seasons of professional baseball
-Hitting coach at Kansas State University
-Hitting coach at Southeast MO State
-Assistant Coach at Lindenwood University
-Division 1 Recruiting Coordinator
CRAIG RINGE
BRIAN KESSLER
Managing director of LPA
- Brian played collegiately at Rend Lake CC
-Brian has been a High School Athletic Director for 16 years at Parkway West HS, earning Athletic Director of the year award in 2016
-He coached high school baseball for 10 years and guided St. Charles West Warriors to 4 Quarterfinal appearances
Coach Kessler has been giving lessons since 1999
Coltyn Kessler
CATCHING ACADEMY,
HITTING INSTRUCTOR
-All-State Performer at Rockwood Summit HS
-Committed to University of Kentucky
-One of the leading hitters in the SEC 2019 & 2021
-Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year semifinalist (2021)
-Played in the Florida Marlins Organization
BRIAN LEES
HITTING, FIELDING, & CaTCHING INSTRUCTor
-4 year starting Catcher University of Akron OH & Southeast MO State University (2017)
-2016 Johnny Bench Award Watch List
-Played for the Gateway Grizzlies
-Assistant Coach at SEMO (NCAA D1)
-Assistant Coach at Lindenwood Univ (NCAA D2)
-Assistant Coach at Marshalltown Community College (NJCAA D1)
bERNARD gILKEY
HITTING & OUTFIELD INSTRUCTOR
- 12 Year Big League Playing Career
- 5 year as a mentor to prospects in the cardinals farm system
- On field coach for the St. Louis Cardinals FCL and Florida State League affiliates
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ZAC PEARMAN
As the director of Legacy Pitching, Zac will be designing and implementing all phases of our pitching program/philosophy.
Zac is a 2014 graduate of Lindenwood University where he was a standout pitcher for the Lions.
Zac has been coaching Baseball at the NCAA Division I & II level for the past 8 years. Zac comes to Legacy from Lindenwood where he was serving as the Associate Head Coach, Pitching Coach, and Recruiting Coordinator
director of LEGACY PITCHING
mike wilhelm
pitching instructor
Mike has been a private pitching instructor in the St. Louis area for over 20 years.
Mike was the Director of Operations for Team Missouri and Retro Baseball Club from 2008- 2018.
Mike was the head baseball coach at Whitfield School from 2015-2021.
Mike was also the owner and operator of the Mets Baseball Club,
Josh kranawetter
YOUTH BASEBALL COORDINATOR
-First team All-Sun Coast Conference
-Set a school record with 116 strikeouts
-Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks
-Helped the 2005 Montgomery Biscuits (Tampa Rays affiliate) team win AA World Series
-Played 4 years of professional baseball
-Has coached youth baseball since 2012
colin riesmeyer
legacy sports & fitness support staff
Colin is a 2021 Graduate from Missouri State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with an emphasis on Exercise Science. While at Missouri State, Colin worked with the Missouri State Men's Basketball Program as the team manager and weight room assistant.
Colin previously coached high school Baseball and Softball at Wentzville Liberty High School.
Colin has been working in the strength-training industry since 2016. Colin has helped design, program, implement & assess athletes at Legacy Performance Academy.
He is the Head Coach of the 14U Legacy Baseball Team.
jake wurtz
legacy sports & fitness support staff
Jake Wurtz is a 2017 Graduate from Eureka HS.
After earning his Associate’s Degree from St. Louis Community Colllege in 2019, Jake went on to attend MLB Scout School. While attending Scout School (through Sports Management Worldwide), Jake was trained by some of the best in the business as it pertains to Baseball evaluation and analytics.
Jake is currently working on his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Science with an emphasis in Strength and Conditioning through the United States Sports Academy.
Jake holds a Personal Trainer Certification through International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA). Jake has been training athletes at LPA since March 2022.
He is currently coaching a 12U Klutch team.
jeff duncan
director legacy sports & fitness
JEFF IS A CERTIFIED CFSC (CERTIFIED FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH COACH) LEVEL 1 COACH.
JEFF SPENT TIME WORKING WITH LEGACY ATHLETES LAST SPRING/SUMMER IN THE WEIGHT ROOM.
JEFF HAS 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LEADING INDIVIDUAL, SMALL, AND GROUP TRAINING SESSIONS
JEFF HAS BEEN THE STRENGTH COACH AT PARKWAY WEST HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS. DURING THIS TIME, JEFF HAS DEVELOPED FUNCTIONAL STRENGTH PROGRAMMING FOR BOTH MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES SPANNING 23 VARIOUS SPORTS.
JEFF HAS HIS MASTER'S DEGREE IN EDUCATION AND IS CERTIFIED TO TEACH PE AND HEALTH EDUCATION. JEFF HAS BEEN THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT PARKWAY WEST FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS
