Forney, Jeff - Jeff Forney is the former strength and conditioning coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The author of several manuals, videos, books, and articles on strength and conditioning, he is a recognized leader in the study of explosive movements and their specific applications for baseball.
Forney began his baseball career as a high school baseball player at Science Hill High School in his hometown of Johnson City, TN. Drafted out of high school, he opted to attend Roane State Junior College where he earned All-American honors and was again drafted. Jeff decided instead to continue his collegiate career and moved to Florida to play for Florida Atlantic University. Following his first year at FAU he was drafted in the first round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Using his previous training knowledge and playing experience, he began to develop his unique approach to strength and conditioning for baseball players during his first coaching position as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame. Forney was then an assistant coach at Arizona State University for two years where he worked with the outfielders, baserunning, and hitting, as well as establishing the strength and conditioning program.
Jeff brings one of the most unique combinations to the game of baseball. His ability to bring the game and its specific movements together in harmony with the proper training program on and off the field has made him a nationally recognized authority on speed, power and agility.
Jeff and his family attend Sun Valley Church in Chandler, AZ.
Furmanek, Rick - Rick Furmanek is the owner/operator of the Arizona Baseball Network, along with other Baseball Networks throughout the Country. With a Masters from Trinity Divinity School in Chicago, Rick moved to Tucson, AZ in 1987. In 1993 he moved his family to Moscow, Russia, where he worked as a project manager while teaching Russian boys and girls the game of baseball at the local school.
In 1994 Rick and his family moved back to Arizona and settled in Gilbert. He began coaching his son's Little League team that same year and then moved into travel ball. With a son now playing at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, you might think Rick would be thinking of winding down his travel team commitments, but anyone around him can easily see that he has not lost his passion for helping others enjoy the game.
As a web developer, Rick runs a number of tournament sites for organizations committed to travel team baseball (e.g., Top Choice Baseball, Eric Bell's Professional School of Baseball, East Valley Baseball, Arizona Total Baseball, etc.). With the recent release of other state Networks and the electronic publication, The Nuts and Bolts of Travel Team Baseball, Rick hopes to continue helping promote this great game that is near and dear to his heart.
Rick and his family attend Wonderful Mercy Church in Gilbert, AZ.
Wade, Bob - Bob Wade was an athlete all though high school with opportunities to play both baseball and basketball. A preseason injury his freshman year at Point Loma College ended his formal athletic career. That injury changed his focus from sports to school and life, and ultimately what God wanted Him to become.
After graduation Bob went to work for Youth for Christ, then into a student ministries position in California, before coming to Arizona in 1987. That year he became the first junior high pastor, then the high school pastor at Scottsdale Bible Church, where he served for 18 years.
He is now one of the teaching pastors and coordinates small groups at Highlands Church in North Scottsdale.
Bob has a wife of 22 years (Gayla), a 20 year old daughter (Kendall), 18 year old son (Kyle) and 14 year old son(Konner).
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