Game Within the Game

The Coach

Tim Kafer

Baseball instructor at Baseball Excellence

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Derek Lilliquist attended Sarasota High School in Sarasota, Florida. He pitched for 3 years at the University of Georgia and pitched in the College World Series his junior year. He also hit 20 home runs that year. He was drafted #1 (6th pick overall) by the Atlanta Braves and pitched professionally for 10 years. He feels the game has given him so much he wants to give something back and that was the motivation for Baseball Excellence. He has been the Pitching Coach at Vero Beach High School and is currently the St Louis Cardinals Bullpen Coach. Derek is a family man with two children.

"Coach" Jack Grant played baseball at Florida State and has coached for over 30 years. The majority of his players who began and remained with his program the last 10 years have gone on to play in college or professional baseball. Clinton Johnston was drafted #1 by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1998 and Jack has coached several players who went on to become college All-Americans. "Coach Grant is simply one of the finest amateur baseball coaches in Florida." In addition Coach Grant has worked as a Professional Scout.

Bob Byrd has coached amateur baseball for over 18 years and is one of the founders of Baseball Excellence. Bob says, "I believe a coach has a responsibility to do his best to teach the game. In fact, the permanence of the game of baseball relies on its good coaches. A coach should become a teacher and a student of the game. He should place a great deal of importance on continuing education. His role should be one of instruction and development. Bob has a 22 year-old son Stephen, a college pitcher.