Experience
Chris McKnight was an Associate Scout for the Baltimore Orioles organization from 2015-2018 and for the Philadelphia Phillies organization from 2008-2015. Chris is also a former 20 year NCAA Collegiate Coach at Frostburg State University and Dowling College. He led FSU to its first NCAA Regional Championship win in the history of the University and set another school record with back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances. During a 4-year span from 2004 to 2007- McKnight’s players set 29 Top Ten Single season offensive records, 16 Top Ten single-season pitching records, 58 Top Ten Career offensive records, and 15 Top Ten Career Pitching records.
McKnight was the fastest coach to reach 100 wins and led the Bobcats to 8 straight postseason appearances while compiling a 98-28 conference record and four conference championships. Over 115 of his players received all-conference honors, including the prestigious Rawlings Gold Glove Award and 17 of his former players signed professional contracts. Chris also was the Chairperson for the NCAA Baseball Rules Committee.
Chris was the Head Coach of the Mid-West Philadelphia Phillies Scout Team, based out of Madison WI. 14 of his players signed with Division One schools and 3 players signed professional contracts, John Rave (Kansas City Royals Organization), Ian Koch (Cincinnati Reds Organization), and TJ Sikkema (New York Yankees Organization).
He served as a coach for USA Baseball Great Lakes National Team Identification Series. During 2008-09 he was the Field Manager/Director of Baseball Operations for the Texarkana Gunslingers Pro Baseball Club. During the 2009 season, McKnight led the Gunslingers to the Championship series and his team led the league in batting average and on-base percentage.
Chris was named coach of the All-Star team where 9 of his players were selected to participate in the event. In 2008, Chris took over the Gunslingers with a record at 2-10 and proceeded to win 36 games, earning the “slingers” a championship series bid.
Chris is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and The Virginia Baseball Coaches Association where he serves on the Advisory Board.
Coach McKnight holds certifications A, B & C with the USA Baseball ACE Program. McKnight has also authored numerous articles that have appeared in “Scholastic Coach” “Coach and Athletic Director” and the American Baseball Coaches Association publication “Coaching Digest”.
In addition to his regular individual lessons Chris offers:
Coach McKnight’s Gold Glove Infield Class
Do you want to learn the best techniques to become a Gold Glove Infielder? Sign up today for the Gold Glove infield class with Chris McKnight. Chris was a NCAA College Head Coach, Professional Manager and Scout. Seventeen of his players signed professional contracts and over one hundred players made the All-Conference team. Chris knows how to develop players! He helped his teams become a strong defensive unit that was always at the top of the conference in fielding percentage.
The class will feature topics like- Glove position, footwork for all types of ground balls ( one hops, grounders, backhands, flips) fly balls and how to read the hop-when to charge a ball, Double play feeds, tracking the ball off the bat, arm angles, reaction time and much more!
We use the latest technology and training aids like Field Sports Training Dome Mat, Strobe glasses, Infield discs, ATEC Rookie Infield Machines to assist our players with getting quality reps during our sessions.
In addition to this, Coach McKnight will give handouts each class so you can study and work on the drills at home to raise your game. The players will also participate in a quick video session during the last 5 minutes of each class.
The class is one hour per week and runs for 4 weeks. Max class size is six.
Cost- 160.00 for all four sessions.
Text Coach McKnight (240-580-4012) to reserve your spot-Due to the small size of class no refunds will not be given.
Group Hitting Lessons
Chris offers Group hitting lessons during the Fall/Winter and Spring- Lessons will focus on the following-Tracking the Baseball, On Deck preparation, Vision cues for picking up spin/type of pitch, Stance, Head position, Load to Explode goal, swing path, contact zone, finish and follow through and a variety of hitting situations.(counts to hit in) McKnight uses his experience as a baseball vision coach to get his hitters to “see the ball” and create quality at bats. Players will use Strobe Glasses, Vision Rings, Bat Rac, Sweet Spot Bat, Swift Stik plus a number of other training tools that enhance and develop a player’s vision and tracking ability. Handouts will be given after each session.
Group lessons are for 4-6 students and each group runs for 4 weeks. Individual 1-hour lessons are 110.00 so you save 75.00 dollars!!
The cost is $40.00 per player/$160.00 for the 4 weeks.
Text Coach McKnight-240-580-4012 to set up your group.
For more information check out chrismcknightbaseball.com
Contact Chris using the below contact form or give him a call at (240) 580-4012.