Front Office
Team Manager:
Brian M. Phelan coachbp32@hotmail.com
(815)409-8182
Bio: Manager Brian Phelan took over the reigns of the Lockport 12U Vipers in 2010. With him came a fresh outlook and a new perspective. He has been a member of Lockport Boy's Baseball Since 2007. In his inaugural season with the Vipers, Phelan skippered the team to an impressive 29-18-2 record. Coach Phelan has an overall metro youth baseball coaching record of 62-35-3 (.635) since the takeover. Highlighting the 2011 season in which the Vipers continued their winning ways at 33-17-1, was a trip to the semifinal in the New Lenox Memorial day tournament, Championship berths in both the Troy Spring Classic and the Lockport Lockdown, as well as a 5-2 Cooperstown Dream's Park overall record, (both losses coming to eventual final four teams the So Cal Terror and Rocket City Roadrunners-Huntsville, AL.) In 2012 Phelan hopes to continue to turn the corner with the Vipers, and build upon their winning ways.
Phelan played his high school baseball at Lemont Township High , where he earned both All-NEC and All-Will County 2nd Team honors as a secondbaseman by his Sophomore year. He was nominated by the Will County Area Sports Writers Association to play in the East VS West All-Star Game and had a career batting average of .471 with the Injuns. Coach Phelan continued his career past high school playing for Coach Wayne King (Joliet Mohawks, Joliet Junior College) and for Coach Jeff Stewart (ISU Redbirds). During his time with the Mohawks, Phelan started at secondbase in the same infield with Scott Speizo (Anaheim Angels, Oakland A's).
His teams have been called "full of hustle", "extremely motivated", "hard-nosed", and "well-disciplined."
2012 Coaching Staff:
Jim Phelan (Outfield/ Pitching)
(630)257-7527
Bio: Coach Jim Phelan is a veteran youth baseball coach who served as pitching coach throughout the 1980's and 1990's in Lemont Little League and in Lockport since 2007. His concentration has been in the 10-12 year old age group, and he has contributed by instructing the basic mechanics for many outstanding area pitchers. Formerly a high school standout for the Hinsdale Central Red Devils as a centerfielder, Coach Jim was invited to the scout camp of the Pittsburgh Pirates for a tryout in 1965. That year the Pirates featured none other than Roberto Clemente in their outfield. Coach Jim finished his baseball career in the semi-professional ranks. The "senior" Phelan will return in 2012 to head up the coaching duties in the outfield. His advanced experienced in the outfield will help guide a well rounded bunch.
Bill Jackson (Bench Coach/ Outfield) Bio: Coach Bill Jackson grew up on the South Side of Chicago playing baseball at West Lawn Little League while mostly playing the outfield and catching. Although his son has played for Lockport Baseball for 5 years, Jackson game into coaching not long ago in 2009 managing the Lockport Red Sox. While with the Red Sox, Jackson piloted them to a Mustang League Championship. As an assistant, Jackson was helped with outfield skills but more importantly has been the coordinator on the bench. Jackson's analytic ways have been a plus for the staff in that he always has stats in hand, keeps abreast of tourney outcomes and pairings, as well as helps to motivate the players.
Dan Harder (Baserunning, conditioning coach)
Bio: Coach Dan Harder once again returns to the Vipers and this time takes on a new role. Coach Dan's responsibilities will include taking on the task of strength and conditioning coach for 2012. See the need to better the strength and stamina in a team that at times came out with a bang and then tailed off, Coach Dan will be in charge of whipping the "snakes" into shape in the off-season. Coach Harder has been an assistant to the staff since the take-over three years ago, and also worked under Phelan in many pivotal roles before that.
Harder is a graduate of Joliet East High School where he played catcher. In addition to being named the conditioning coach for the 2012 Vipers, he will also help to improve the Vipers on the base paths.
Ed Travis (Hitting Instructor/ Catching Coach)
Bio: Coach Ed Travis is the newest addition to the coaching staff, but is no stranger to the metro ranks. He formerly managed the Lockport 8U-11U Cobras from 2007-2010. During that time he shaped his team as a formidable area foe in the I-80 Premier Division, earned a "come from behind" championship as the 9u skipper in the Lockport Lockdown, and was instrumental as a scout for the Vipers during the 2010 season.
As a player, Travis was a standout at Homewood-Flossmoor High School (All-State honorable mention), and is a graduate of Southern Illinois University where he concluded his collegiate career as a middle infielder for the Salukis. Coach Travis has been named as a hitting instructor for the 2012 season, as well as being an assistant with the catchers.
Fundraising Chairman:
Treasurer:
Equipment Manager: