Founders
Tom Gillespie and Stephan Rapaglia have worked together in European baseball circles since 2004. In addition to various other playing, scouting and coaching experiences, between them Tom and Stephan have coached in Europe at the Junior (16-18) and Senior (18+) National Team levels against the likes of Cuba, Japan and Holland, and alongside former big leaguers such as Barry Larkin, Bruce Hurst, Lance Painter and Mike Nickeas.
Tom Gillespie
Coaching and Administrative Career
Head Coach, German 18U and 23U National Teams - 2016 - present
Pittsburgh Pirates International Scout – 2012 - present
European Academies Consultant, Major League Baseball International – 2006 – 2012
Oakland Athletics International Scout – 2009 – 2011
Director & Coach (various roles), Great Britain Baseball – 2002 – 2007
Director of Game Development – Baseball, BaseballSoftballUK – 2002 – 2006
MLB Scouting Bureau Graduate – Scout Development Program 2009
Playing Career
Stockholm (Sweden Elitseries) – 2008
Tuebingen Hawks (German Bundesliga 1) – 2004 – 2007
Bracknell Blazers (Great Britain National League) – 2002
Macalester College – 1997 – 2000
Tom is originally from Iowa, but he has lived in Europe (England and Germany) since 2001. He currently lives in Hamburg, Germany with his wife Sonja, his daughter (Fiona) and his son (Anton).
Stephan Rapaglia
Coaching and Administrative Career
Special Advisor, Great Britain Senior National Team – 2016 WBCQ
Bench Coach, Great Britain Senior National Team – 2012 WBCQ
National Teams Executive Committee – British Baseball Federation – 2010 – present
Head Coach, Great Britain Senior National Team – 2004 – 2010
2007 British Baseball Federation Coach of the Year
Head Coach, Tuebingen Hawks (German Bundesliga 1) – 2001
Pitching Coach, Iona College – 1997 – 2000
Manager, Johnstown Johnnies (Frontier Professional League) – 1998
Head Coach, B’s Baseball Academy (Stamford, CT – 18U Select Team) – 1996 – 1997
Varsity Head Coach, Rye Country Day School – 1994 – 1996
Associate Scout, Houston Astros – 1993 – 1997
Playing Career
Tuebingen Hawks (German Bundesliga) – 2001
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs (Northeast Professional League) – 1995 – 1997
Neptunus Baseball Club (Dutch Hoofdklasse) – 1993
Houston Astros (Gulf Coast Astros/Auburn Astros) – 1992
Amherst College – 1989 – 1992
1991 – 1992 Co-captain
Stephan has lived in Europe on four different occasions (Austria, Holland, Germany and England). He currently lives in Connecticut with his wife (Meg) and three daughters (Hannah, Sarah and Katie).