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Growing up as a fan of the New York Yankees, Kevin Schneider fostered fascination with classy competitors such as Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly, Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams. Devising his demeanor to match that of the Bronx Bombers’ brand and to promote promising talent, the resident of the 700 block of Mountain Street is enjoying another actualized element of his diamond dream as the founder and owner of the Bubba Baseball Academy, 1401 S. 25th St.
“I’m very confident in my ability to connect with everyone who comes here,” the 30-year-old said Tuesday at the Grays Ferry location, which he opened Sept. 1. “Through teaching players and teams, I want to make a real impact and truly connect with them not just by analyzing their skills but by addressing their mental and emotional preparation, too.”
The East Passyunk Crossing dweller had been pondering securing quarters for three years, with his search intensifying last fall. He desired a South Philly spot and when learning of a space’s proximity to McNichol Field, 25th and Moore streets, where he just completed his first season helming the squad from Ss. Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., who captured the Catholic League and Class AA City titles, he knew his search would prove swift.
“I fell in love with South Philly’s people right away,” the Lawrenceville, N.J. native said of his numerous neighbors. “With regards to baseball, they get that kids want strong relationships with adults who understand tangibles and intangibles.”
In naming the 5,800-square-foot facility, Schneider honored his English Bulldog Bubba, who died in November. Seeing his fallen friend’s breed as a symbol of determination, devotion and toughness, he has wanted to infuse himself and his charges with as much mental might as possible. That philosophy certainly proved profitable in the spring, as the Saints registered a 6-1 parochial playoff mark, including five elimination game victories, to capture their East Passyunk Crossing school’s fourth league crown in the last six years, and is likewise generating jubilation among attendees from the Delaware Valley Youth Athletic Association, 2840 S. 18th St., and Garden State denizens who gladly make trips to the location.
“We needed to make some modifications, and we’re proud because everything’s new,” Schneider said. “We’re definitely favoring quality over quantity.”
The ambitious individual aspires to produce champions in many senses of the word and has benefited from the input of such figures as Neumann-Goretti alumni Mark Donato, Nicky Nardini and Michael Riverso and pitching coach Joe Messina to solidify his instructional aims. A “baseball junkie,” Schneider, whose academy website declares “In order to teach ’em, ya gotta be able to reach ’em,” wants to touch even more communities, yet, just as he learned in becoming a productive pitcher during his high school and college careers, patience wins the day.
“I’m not going to rush anything because I really want anyone who comes here to develop trust,” he said. “For some people, money is the main motivator, but, for me, it’s seeing kids fall for this game as hard as I have.”
The youngest of three boys, including John Schneider, who played in the Toronto Blue Jays system and serves as manager of the American League East club’s Vancouver-based minor league outfit, the budding businessman enjoyed basketball and baseball as a boy, but the latter became his passion based on sheer respect for the game and its composed practitioners and his assessment of his talent.
“Of course it helps to be physically strong, but I like emphasizing being smart, too,” Schneider said of tutelage received and given. “I knew pretty early on that there would be times during my baseball journey where I’d need to rely on way more than my body.”
A “big-game guy” for every team he joined, the right-hander came to prominence as a Monmouth University enrollee. Learning to make sidearm deliveries after breaking his growth plate, he served as the New Jersey club’s closer his final two years and earned many plaudits, including first-team New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association honors, Fireman of the Year honors and National College Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year watchlist distinction.
“I would say I started coaching indirectly while at Monmouth because I had a process and an understanding of how to get better,” Schneider said.
His ambition aligned him with former Phillie and fellow New Jerseyite Dave Gallagher at the latter’s eponymous North Trenton-situated baseball academy and helped him to score director duties for the South Jersey-based Tri-State Arsenal. The second gig, through which he handled promotion, recruitment and scheduling, bred even more reverence for youths’ immersion into the sport and definitely put him on Neumann-Goretti’s radar.
“It’s one thing to say you really have a kid’s best interest at heart, but it’s a whole other story to be able to back that up,” Schneider said of his academy and his tenure with the Saints, for whom he expects even more greatness as their already strong ties with him grow. “Many places and people talk a good game, but it really comes down to strengthening what’s already strong within these kids.”
Well aware of the “hard-nosed physicality” that his pursuit can often involve, the coach and proprietor knows that no matter one’s pedigree, showing heart will never hurt.
“This is my obsession,” Schneider said. “I’m thrilled that others share it and want to work just as hard to become better.”
Visit bubbabaseball.org.
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
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