STAFF

To schedule a lesson with one of our professional instructors, please call 973-777-BATS (2287).

Robyn Baron Brix

Robyn provides both Fastpitch pitching and hitting instruction.  She has been giving pitching lessons for the past 15 years and hitting lessons for the past 7 years.  She can provide individual and well as group lessons and clinics.

Robyn has a BS degree from Montclair State University in Recreation and Leisure Studies.  As a student athlete at Montclair, she was twice selected All American and is also a two time recipient of the "NJ Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year."  Montclair selected her as "Athlete of the Year" during both her Junior and Senior years.  Prior to Montclair, she played softball for West Milford High School where she was elected "All Conference," "All County," and "All State."

Robyn has also served as an assistant Softball coach at both Seton Hall University and Union County College.  She has helped to organize as well as run numerous camps and clinics.

Tim Bausher

Tim played four years at Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, where he earned his B.S. in Sociology.  As a senior in 2001, he set a school record by throwing eleven complete games. That same year he was named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Athlete of the Year as well as 3^rd Team Division II All American. Tim was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in 2001.

In 2003, he signed with Berkshire of the Independent Northeast League before quickly being signed by the Milwaukee Brewers. Tim was a member of the Brewer’s major league roster until June of 2004 when he was then claimed by the Colorado Rockies.  In December of 2004, Tim was acquired by the Red Sox and assigned to Pawtucket for his first taste of AAA.  He was called up to Boston on April 29^th, 2005 during a series with Texas.

Tim continued his professional baseball career within the Cincinnati Reds Organization (AAA Louisville Bats) and went on to play with the Nashua Pride Baseball Club. In June of 2007, Tim was acquired by the Kansas City Royals and played with their AA Wichita Wranglers.

Tim Bausher has been both a starter and a reliever.  He has been clocked in the high 90’s and has an excellent curve ball.  In addition to his outstanding pitching, Tim is currently the Alliance Manager for the Radial Bat Company.  Lefty’s is proud to add Tim to our fine roster of instructors!!  Tim is now available for pitching and hitting instruction for all levels.

Ryan Beard

A native of Kearny, NJ, Ryan Beard began his baseball career at St. Peter’s Prep as their starting short stop.  A year later, he moved to Point Pleasant Borough where Ryan received Varsity letters in Soccer, Basketball and Baseball at PPB High School. That same year, he led the baseball team to their first conference title in 15 years. Ryan was named 1st Team “All County” and 1st Team “All Shore”.  He was recruited heavily out of high school and signed a letter of intent with Oklahoma State University.  Beard decided to return to his home state a year later and played for Brookdale Community College, an East Coast Powerhouse. During his time at BCC, Ryan appeared in two Jr. College World Series.  He racked up 92 strikeouts in 71 1/3 innings gaining the honor of 2nd Team All-American.

Ryan continued to play locally and committed to Rutgers University. In 30 appearances, Ryan had 27 strikeouts in his first season with the Scarlet Knights.  He secured his spot as the Knight’s closer, tying for 2nd in single season saves.  Ryan had a 2.28 ERA, which was the lowest on the team.  While at Rutgers, Ryan earned 1st Team All-State honors, awarded by the NJCBA.  He tied for 5th place in the school’s history with 11 career saves. One of his biggest highlights as his college career came to an end, was retiring the side in order in the 9th inning to seal a 5-3 victory over Georgetown in the season finale! 

 Lefty’s Sports Academy is happy to welcome Ryan to our staff!  He is available for both pitching and hitting lessons.

Nick DiGiacomo

For the past fifteen years, Nick has been specializing in batting for those individuals from age 7 through college level, in both baseball and softball.  His accomplishments include:

* Five years as a batting instructor for the New Jersey Panthers, one of NJ's top 18 (AAU) teams, and winners of 7 major tournaments

* Ten years working with Nutley High School's varsity baseball players

* Specialization in hitting instructions with high school players throughout the state, producing many All-County and All-State Players.  In 2005, one of Nick's students, formerly of St. Peter's Preparatory School in Jersey City, was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals

* Batting advisor for the "Lefty's Lightning Elite" 16 and 18-year old teams

Beginning with the 2008 Season, Nick will be working as a batting instructor for both the North Arlington Boys' Varsity Baseball and Nutley High School Girls Varsity Softball Team.

Ish Falcone

Jamie Figliolino

Jamie is a 2005 Pace University graduate and currently holds a degree in Applied Psychology.  She was the starting catcher for Pace in her Freshman Year. Jamie attended Somerville High School in Somerville, NJ and graduated in 2000.  While at Somerville, Jamie was a 3 year starter and Captain of the Softball Team.  She lead her team to two Skyland Conference Championships, as well as, the Somerset County Tournament each year.  Some of her achievements during her High School years include:  All Area Honorable Mention Courier News 1998 & 1999; All Somerset County 2nd Team 1998, and All Somerset County 3rd Team 1999 & 2000.

Jamie has both played with  and coached the Sparkx Women's’ Fast Pitch Team and has been a counselor at various softball camps for young girls.  Jamie credits her trainer, Cheryl Iaione former Seton Hall University Softball Coach and Hillsborough High School Head Coach for her successful career as a player and coach. 

Lefty’s Sports Academy is happy to welcome Jamie to our staff!  She is available for softball catching, hitting and fielding lessons.

Anthony Gomez

Anthony Gomez was drafted by the Miami Marlins in the 6th Round of the 2012 MLB Draft. After 3 years of playing for the Vanderbilt University Commodores, he stands in fourth place for all-time career hits, with 267. In 2012, he led the team in batting average (.353), at bats (255), hits (90), RBI’s (57), total bases (109) and had the least amount of strikeouts (15) than anyone who had over 41 at bats that season. Through his first 8 games with the Marlins’ organization, Anthony had 8 hits, a .308 batting average, four RBI’s two double, 10 total bases, three walks, three runs, and a stolen base. Anthony is a Nutley NJ native who had an impressive High School career at Don Bosco Prep which included being selected to 1st Team All-State as a Senior, and 1st Team All County selection in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, his team finished their season 33—0 and was ranked #1 in the country. As a senior at Don Bosco, Anthony was named MVP and helped lead his team to another state championship before heading off to start his college baseball career at Vanderbilt University. In the words of his college baseball coach, Coach Corbin: “The best word that sums him up is gamer. He loves to compete, has a great feel for the game and is fearless”. Anthony loves to share his knowledge of the game with players of all ages and is available for instruction in hitting and fielding.

Kim Higgins De-Jianne

Kim Higgins De-Jianne joined the Seton Hall University softball staff in the fall of 2001. A former standout pitcher at Caldwell College, Higgins brings a gift for teaching and an unmatched enthusiasm for the sport. She coached first base this season for the SHU Pirates and works closely with Seton Hall's pitchers, among numerous other duties.

Kim was the junior varsity coach at Nutley High School in 1998 and 1999 as well as the coach of the Clifton Cobras summer club team in 1995. Kim also played for the Cobras and was the first player inducted into their Hall of Fame.

Kim graduated from Caldwell College in 1997 with a degree in education and psychology.  She was a three-time all-conference performer and was twice named to the league's all-tournament team. She was an Academic All-American as a junior and a member of the Kappa Delta Epsilon Education Honor Society.  Kim is also a professional healthcare representative and resides in Nutley, NJ.

Matt LoCarro

Matt is a graduate of perennial powerhouse Seton Hall Prep where in 2004 and 2005 he was a member of the New Jersey State Champion Baseball squad. Matt is known for his speed on the bases: he has a career stolen base percentage of .947.

Matt specializes in all areas of baseball training including Pitching, Hitting and Catching. He is currently coach of the Lefty's Lightning 18U squad and assists on the Lefty's Lightning 16U Travel Team. Matt graduated from Marist College in 2009. 

Matt's passion for the game of baseball is unmistakably demonstrated through his effective  coaching and training of ball players of all ages and levels. 

Steve Markovich

Steve Markovich is a professional MLB Scout. He started his scouting career working  for the Kansas City Royals and was with them for  more than 15 years. For the past 6 years, he has been the NY Yankees’ Scout for the New Jersey area.  As a coach, Markovich specializes in the art of Catching and Game Management.  Steve has lead many programs in the tri-state area sharing his tremendous wealth of knowledge and skill  with young catchers eager to learn the details behind the sport and position they want to be the best in.

Javier Martinez

Javier Martinez is a graduate of Fordham University where he was a three-time Atlantic 10 pitcher of the week and Co-MVP of the team in 2006.  Javi was selected by Washington in the 42 round of the 2006 June draft, but chose to return to school for his senior season.  In 2007, the Seattle Mariners selected Javi  and he his currently playing in their minor organization with the Everett AquaSox.

Javi is also a graduate of  Seton Hall Prep High School.  Javi played baseball for the Prep as their  number one starting pitcher.  He led the Pirates to county, conference, and state championships.  During his senior year, the Pirates achieved a #1 ranking in the state, the Star Ledger Trophy, #11 ranking in the nation by USA Today and #10 in the nation by Baseball America. 

Javi ended the Prep's baseball season 9-0 with a .88 ERA.  He received honors for 1st team all county, 1st team all conference, Essex county player of the year, 2nd team All State all groups, 1st team All State Parochial, Worrell Publications player of the year and 1st team All Area.

Joe Martinez

Lefty’s is proud to add Joe Martinez to our coaching staff.  Joe is a graduate of Seton Hall Prep where he was 3rd Team All State twice, State champions 2001. Joe attended Boston College where he majored in Finance and Human Resources.  At Boston College Joe was a unanimous selection to the “All Big East First Team after leading his team in innings pitched, strikeouts and complete games (6). He threw four straight complete games from 4/9-5/1… was 5-4 with a 5.71 ERA in 28 games over three years at BC from 2002-2004.  He was an “All Star” for Hyannis in the Cape Cod League in 2004. Upon graduation from Boston this past May, Joe was drafted by the San Francisco Giants.  Joe is currently playing for the Cleveland Indians.

J.J. Newman 

J.J. started at shortstop at the largest high school in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, Wheeling Park (West Virginia) High School which is also the largest high school conference in the U.S. 

He earned All-State honors and was selected for the Ohio Valley All-Conference team for 3 years.  Newman was highly recruited in high school and accepted a full scholarship to D-1 Youngstown State University in Ohio.  As a freshman, J.J. was the starting Short Stop.  J.J. transferred to Erskine College (South Carolina) and had an outstanding 3 years at second base.  In his senior year, J.J. ‘s batting average was .390and he led the team and league with 15 home runs, 47 RBI’s, 18 doubles and was named 1st Team All-CVAC and 2nd Team All South Atlantic Region.

 J.J. was drafted by the NY Mets on June 7, 2006 and finished his first year of professional baseball with the Gulf Coast League, St. Lucie Mets, in Florida.  J.J. earned a starting position at second base at the beginning of the season and had a great season going until he hyper-extended his knee.  After a summer of rehabilitation, J.J. earned his spot back in the lineup.   In just his first 12 games, J.J. had 42 At-Bats, 11 hits, scored four runs, he had a .262 batting average and an on-base percentage of .354!

 J.J. Newman is an enthusiastic player who truly enjoys sharing his knowledge and love of the game with ball players of all ages.  In addition to coaching the Lefty's Lightning 18U team, he is also available at Lefty’s for instruction in hitting, fielding, base running, and all-around training.