Instructors

A North Carolina native and Weddington High School standout who went on to play at UNC Pembroke. Part of Arena's Player Development Staff, Joe specializes in hitting, defensive fundamentals and baseball IQ training for youth and high school players, known for detailed instruction and positive leadership.

Matt Heidenreich

Professional Pitcher

A former professional pitcher whose decade-long career in the White Sox, Braves and Orioles organizations shaped his reputation for command, consistency and a deep understanding of the game. A 4th-round MLB Draft pick from California, Matt now coaches athletes from youth through college with a focus on arm health, efficient mechanics and mental preparation — mastering fundamentals, pitch design and confidence under pressure.

Alex Speas

Coach · Professional Pitcher

A professional right-hander recognized for a fastball that has reached 102 MPH and a World Series title with the Texas Rangers. Originally from Powder Springs, Georgia, Alex brings elite-level velocity experience to Arena's pitching staff and works with athletes on power development and competing on the mound.

A former collegiate catcher at C.W. Post, Jason has developed hundreds of athletes, including more than 10 Perfect Game Select Fest players. Through CatchMetrix, he combines receiving, blocking and throwing instruction with data-driven testing and individualized training to deliver measurable improvement behind the plate.

Drew Costanzo

Hitting Specialist / Mental Coach

A former collegiate and professional player who earned All-American honors at Louisburg College before transferring to East Carolina, where he led the Pirates in home runs, runs scored and walks and helped the 2004 squad win the Conference USA regular season title. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005 and now develops players of all ages through travel baseball and private instruction.

Carter Sheppard

Pitching Instructor

A 6′6″ right-handed pitcher from Mooresville whose size, command and competitiveness carried him from Lake Norman High School to High Point University — 24 strikeouts over 35.1 innings in 2023 — and then to Lipscomb University. Experienced as both a starter and high-leverage reliever.

A former professional left-handed pitcher from Atlanta who pitched at Andrew College and USC Aiken before signing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 and continuing in the Frontier League. He later served as a graduate assistant and assistant pitching coach at Lenoir-Rhyne and trained with Tread Athletics, focusing on modern, data-driven pitching development.

Branndon Marion

Performance Coach

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Branndon brings a combination of elite athletic experience and a data-driven approach to athlete development, leading strength, speed and force-plate testing work inside our performance center.

Ty spent 26 years with the Los Angeles Angels organization as a Minor League player, hitting coach, manager and outfield/base running/bunting coordinator. With over 20 years of private instruction experience, he brings proven teaching and player development expertise to help young athletes grow on and off the field.

Madeline Modica

Softball Hitting / Catching / Defensive Instructor

A former NCAA Division II catcher at Converse University, Madeline brings 15 years of playing experience and earned Defensive MVP honors in 2024. She led Conference Carolinas in throw-outs for two consecutive years and provides personalized softball hitting, catching and defensive instruction focused on mechanics, game awareness and confidence.

John Mangum

Hitting/Catching Specialist

A former collegiate catcher at NC State and Lander University, John leads the player development initiatives behind one of the country's fastest-growing baseball training centers. He blends baseball insight with business strategy to scale high-performance systems with purpose and consistency.