Tim Tacka, Director of Operations/16U Manager/Instructor
Throughout the 1980's, Tim was ranked one of the top baseball and soccer players in the Tri-state area. He was awarded an athletic scholarship to attend Cardinal Gibbons High School. During that time the Cardinal Gibbons baseball program won the MSA (now the MIAA) a conference championship. Tim was highly recruited at both the collegiate and professional levels, however, a severe knee injury ended his career. For the next 20 years, Tim became a successful entrepreneur founding/owning Tacka Motors and Tacka Properties. In 2008, Tim closed his businesses to follow his passions for baseball and the proper instruction/development of young athletes. He has coached, instructed, and consulted for several programs, clinics, and camps in the Mid-Atlantic region. With his accomplished background in baseball and business, the Redbirds recruited Tim to become the Director of Operations and the 15U Tournament Team Manager.
Certified Credentials:
Level 1 Accredited Interscholastic Coach (AIC), Certified Interscholastic Coach (CIC), Certified Baseball Coach (USA Baseball), Certified Strength & Conditioning Coach (NSCA), Certified in Concussion Sports (CDC), Certified in First Aid, Health & Safety (American Red Cross), Certified in Coaching Unified Sports (Special Olympics Unified Sports), Certified in Middle School Sports (AMLE), and named to the National Coach Certification Honor Roll.
Mike Bordick, Defensive Consultant/Instructor
Mike played 14 years in the Major Leagues with Oakland, Baltimore, NY Mets, and Toronto. During this time, Mike set fielding records for the most consecutive games (110) without an error at shortstop as well as the most consecutive chances (543) without an error by a shortstop. Between 1993 and 2002 Mike finished in the top 5 in fielding percentage and finished first in 1999 and 2002 with respective percentages of .989 and .998. Mike was selected for the Major League All Star game in 2000. He is currently an analyst for the Orioles broadcasts on MASN as well as a special instructor for the Orioles working with the infielders. Mike will work with the Redbirds players and coaches on proper fundamentals of fielding as well as the mental approach to becoming a great defensive player.
B.J. Surhoff, Hitting Consultant/Instuctor
B.J. was the number one draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1985 MLB draft out of the University of North Carolina. He went on to play 19 years in the Major Leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles, and Atlanta Braves. In the 1995 season, B.J. had a career high .320 average. He was an All-Star in 1999 and has a career batting average of .282. B.J. currently consults with the Baltimore Orioles both in the Major League and Minor Leagues scouting and working with young players. B.J. also works on hitting with the Collegiate Redbird players in the summer. B.J. will work with the youth Redbird coaches and players on hitting mechanics, philosophies, and approaches at the plate.
Robert L. Heubeck Jr., Director of Education, Student/Athlete Development
Robert is a graduate of Loyola College and holds a Master's in Education from James Madison University. He currently serves as the Head of the Upper School at Gilman School as well as the Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach which includes assisting in the identification of student-athletes and the follow-up process for admission. They made the MIAA A Championship Playoffs 2010, 2012-2015 - Champions in 2010 & Runners Up 2013. He was also involved in the Gilman Summer Baseball Camp (2010-2014) and the Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach (2004-2009).
About Us
Dave Sutor, Director of Collegiate Development
Dave was a Division 1 Pitcher / OF at the University of Maryland. He has coached youth baseball for over 25 years and founded the Baltimore Blue Jays Baseball (Showcase Teams 2009-2012). He has coached club baseball at Putty Hill for 4 years as well as coaching Park High School baseball for 3 years - and made the championship game twice in three years with one championship). Dave is the current General Manager of the Collegiate Redbirds team.
Larry Sheets, Baltimore Redbirds Manager, Cal Ripken Collegiate League
Larry played 8 years in the Major Leagues with Baltimore, Seattle, and Detroit as a 1st baseman, outfielder, and DH. In 1987, Larry batted .316 with 23 Doubles, 31 HR’s, and 94 RBI. Finishing the season among the leaders in all of these categories. As Manager of the Redbirds, Larry lead the team to its 4th consecutive Cal Ripken League championship. Larry has coached and taught hitting lessons in Baltimore for the past 20 years. He is currently the Head Baseball Coach at Gilman School.
Tim Bishop, President/15U Manager/Instructor
Tim played professional baseball in the New York Yankees organization. He went on to coach at the Division 1 level at West Chester University as a graduate assistant. He was then hired as an on field coach for the Frederick Keys, a class A team of the Baltimore Orioles, where he served as the third base coach. Following his coaching stint, he was then promoted to the Major Leagues as the Strength and Conditioning Coach and served in that position for 14 years for the Baltimore Orioles. During this time, he trained future Hall of Famers and other greats such as Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Mike Mussina, Mike Bordick, Brian Roberts, and B.J. Surhoff.
Tim is currently a baseball scout for International Baseball Services, a recruiting firm for baseball players in the Dominican Republic, a youth baseball coach, and owner and operator of PerformFit Sports Experience, a training center in Cockeysville, MD.
Brian Lopez, Secretary
Brian played 3 years of College Baseball for St. Mary's College of Maryland (DIII) and one year for West Virginia Wesleyan (NAIA), primary positions were center field and catcher. He was All Conference (CAC) at centerfield as a junior and All Conference at Catcher as a Senior. Brian led St. Mary's in stolen bases his junior and senior years. Brian has been coaching youth baseball for 6 years, The last 2 years years he has coached for the Redbirds leading them to a 48-12 record and winning the Ripken 11U Nationals Tournament. His goal as a youth coach is to continue to develop players’ knowledge of the game, improve their individual skills, and to ensure their love and enjoyment of the game.