Five Star Alliance

High School Program

Five Star Alliance is an integrated part of Five Star West, led by Derric Waller, one of the best coaches and leaders in the San Diego region with a long history of helping players excel in high school baseball, and beyond. This program will have some of the best teams in all of San Diego enabling those top players the opportunities to showcase their skills in hopes of playing in college, or beyond. We will also provide player development opportunities for all players looking to improve during the Summer and Fall in preparation for high school baseball.

Five Star Alliance players are typically players that were developed in youth baseball programs in the Inland North County region (e.g. Crush, Hawks) and compete as a collective group enabling our top players to play in the biggest national events.

Five Star West

Five Star West, as an affiliate of 5 STAR National, they have access to select bids to event like USA West Coast Nationals, AZ Fall Classic, CCYB, Perfect Game and on D1 Team Camps.

And are leaders with college commits in San Diego.

Schedule

Select Events and Tournaments

The FIVE STAR SD summer schedule is beginning to take shape, highlighted by some of the biggest regional tournaments and recruiting events. Tournament and recruiting events are additional, and are divided among the players participating. There can be adjustments for players that do not fully participate either because of availability or due to a reduced role (i.e. pitcher only).

FIVE STAR SD SELECT EVENTS

Summer Schedule (June and July)

The training schedule for our baseball development program will be released in mid-Spring. This will include scrimmages, field practices, and training at a facility --- among other opportunities.

Some of the best baseball is played during the Summer after high school baseball wraps up. Players will have opportunities to earn playing time in weekend tournaments and games.

Fall Schedule (August, September, October)

As we enter August, and before school starts back up, we expect to have a similar schedule as our Summer Schedule.

After school starts, we will move to a more traditional travel ball schedule with one field practice and one practice at a facility.

Many of our players are gifted athletes that choose to play another high school sport in the Fall season, so we want to provide flexibility for these players.

On the flip side, the AZ Fall Classic each October is one of the biggest events of the season.

Teams / Players

2030 (Incoming Freshman) : 50+ players, with over 100 players in our 5 Star West family of teams.
2029 (Incoming Sophomores) : 50+ players, with over 100 players in our 5 Star West family of teams.
2028/27 (Incoming Juniors / Seniors) : 30+ players, with over 100 players in our 5 Star West family of teams.

5 Star Alliance : Teams / Players (Incoming Freshman, Sophomores)

Registration Fee : $150 (due March 15th)
- Exclusive 5 Star Alliance membership at The Nest Baseball Academy
- Added to our "who to watch" list for high school performance tracking
- Needed to start putting together our tournament rosters for select events
Uniform Package : COMING SOON
Summer Season (June, July) : $500
Fall Season (August - October) : $700

5 Star West : Teams / Players (Incoming Juniors / Seniors)

Players will integrate directly into 5 Star West for tournaments, training and recruiting events.
Upon registration, added to our "who to watch" list for high school performance tracking and recruiting events / tournaments consideration.
Further registration and pricing information will be directly communicated out, upon completion of the program interest form.

Membership at The Nest Baseball Academy

Upon completing registration, players will be added to our free membership group giving them in season access too..
Exclusive / discounted access to high school hitting sessions and live at bats.
Access to group recovery sessions through our partnership with Catalyst PT, to decrease injury risk and improve recover / return to 100%.
Discounted online hitting academy access, where players receive interactive coaching, a personalized training plan, and detailed video analysis of their mechanics, to improve IN GAME swings and results.

Next Steps

If your player is interested in competing for 5 Star this summer, please complete the interest form. This helps us determine roster sizes, event participation, and overall planning. You will then receive communication about additional steps via email in coming days.

PROGRAM INTEREST FORM

Coaches

We are excited about the coaches that will be involved this Summer and Fall seasons. We are in the process of adding additional coaches to our staff.

Brady Ware, Coach, Director

Brady played for three years at NAIA St. Katherine. In 2020, he hit .456 in 18 games and in 2021 he hit .406 with 12 home runs and 12 doubles, while also recording a 3-2 record pitching. As a senior, he transferred to the University of Indianapolis, where he started 42 games as a hitting and batted .286. He also made 17 pitching appearances that year with a 5-3 record. While at U-Indy, he made history and became the only player EVER to hit for the cycle and throw a no-hitter in the same game. Brady's jersey was retired in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 2023.

Ohtani, Ruth, Brady Ware: UIndy player hits for cycle and throws no-hitter in same game

Mark Strauch - Coach, Director

USA Baseball "A" and "B" and "C" Coaches Certifications

Coach Mark has a lifetime of baseball experience as a player and coach.

Between youth baseball, high school baseball, and adult baseball, he has over 30 years of playing experience. His primary positions have always been pitcher and catcher, but has played all over the field through the years.

Coach Mark was drawn to the idea that the world of travel baseball needed to do more on behalf of players and families, and do it in an innovative, positive way. In 2016, he took the leap and resigned from his job as a tech entrepreneur --- starting the San Diego Hawks --- which is now the largest youth travel ball organization in San Diego.

Tommy Simis, Coach

Tommy Simis was born and raised in San Diego. Attended Poway High School where he was a 3-year Varsity Baseball player and was a part of the 2006 and 2008 Div 1 CIF Championship teams. After graduating in 2008, he earned a scholarship to Cal State University Northridge (and played with Brett Balkan) to continue his career in baseball. As a Freshman, Tommy started 25 games as an infielder before suffering a devastating back injury. After recovering, he started his following 3 seasons as a Captain of the team. After deciding to hang up his cleats due to nagging back problems, he finalized his college career with a Bachelor Degree in Urban Development with a Minor in Communications.

After recovering from a spinal fusion in 2014, Tommy immediately began his coaching career with various travel baseball teams in San Diego before landing a High School Varsity position as the infield coach for Poway High School from 2017-2019. Tommy then went on to become the Head Coach at Torrey Pines High School from 2020-2023 and is starting a new chapter in the Fall of 2023 as a varsity hitting coach at San Marcos High School, opening up more time for him to invest in his passion for developing players as they prepare for high school baseball.

In the Spring of 2024, Tommy had a hand in not just one, but two, CIF championships in San Diego. As the hitting coach at San Marcos High School, they won the D1 championship of the CIF San Diego Baseball Playoffs! And the team he led / managed the previous 3 years, and a roster / team he helped build, Torrey Pines, won the OPEN championship!!!

Brett Balkan, Coach

Rawlings Gold Glove award winner for best defensive shortstop in the entire Western Region (CA, OR, WA)
Earned 1st Team All-American honors, won a conference batting title, and consistently hit .300+ in multiple professional leagues.
Served as a hitting, infield, and mental strength coach at the pro level; eight years teaching hitting and infield development.

Caleb Guy, Coach

Coach Caleb Guy graduated from Christian Life Academy in 2013, where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and volleyball.
With over a decade of experience as both a player and coach, Caleb brings a steady presence and genuine love for the game to every team he works with.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse