Backyard Hackers Instructors

John HEndrick

John Hendrick currently coaches everyone and everything -- it changes too quickly to update here, because he goes where his communities need him. He has over 30 years of baseball/softball training experience, and has worked with all ages and skill levels from teeballers to future and past pros (hitters and pitchers).  He has 23 years of teaching in schools, with a long history of working with kids of all ages.  

John has countless accolades as a player including being a 2-time NEWBL MVP, 2-time State NBC MVP, was on the #1 ranked team in the country all 4 years of college while at UW-Oshkosk and Carthage. He was a member of the 1996 HS State Championship team and all-state team.

John designs and implements most of our programs, usually taking the lead with baseball pitchers.  He is the only local, certified Driveline Youth Development Coach.
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Evan Olson

Evan is a highly sought after hitter and coach. Along with doing lessons for Backyard Hackers, he's a Five Star baseball coach. 

Evan is a current player for UW-Oshkosh where he helps with catching duties and is a strong utility player (they want to keep his bat in the lineup). Before UW-O, Evan starred at Ripon College and Appleton East.

Ev is a strong communicator, and like all of the other Hackers coaches, awesome with kids. He aims to maximize what athletes are already great at, and helping them improve all other parts of their game. Evan hopes that by building confidence, it creates a stronger commitment to improving all aspects of their game and life!

TJ Hauser

TJ Hauser is a recent graduate from Appleton East. Out of high school he committed to Cowley County in Kansas, a nationally ranked D1 junior college, while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. He transferred to Coastal Alabama Junior College in Alabama. Played for 2 years. He  leading the team in wins. TJ recently committed to play D1 baseball at UW-Milwaukee. He's topped 93 mph with his sinker.
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Currently playing with the Burlington Bees, a team in the Prospect League. Last year coached the Wisconsin 5 Star Mafia 12u team. I want to help baseball players develop their craft on the mound and in their mind. I can help athletes improve their pitches, mechanics, and their minds on the mound to be the best version of themselves.

Maddie Heisler

You want Maddie on your team. She's made softball a massive part of her life between playing for Ripon College, coaching at Hackers, and with the South Appleton Rockers.

Maddie is a starting outfielder for Ripon College's softball team where she uses her power and tenacity to terrorize her conference. She was already an all-conference performer after just her freshman year! Before college, Maddie was an all-state performer for Appleton East.

Maddie is a queen at breaking down skills into simple, easy-to-understand steps to help athletes build their confidence. She's endlessly positive and a wonderful mentor. Maddie knows what it's like to be shy and grow into different roles.

Clare Rettler

Clare is a wizard at the small game. She can show you how to drive the defense nuts with bunts and slaps.  

Clare was an All-State performer in high school, and an All-American in college. Clare has lead all hitters in the COUNTRY in batting average and hits. She has set several school records at Carthage College, including many career records, with a year to go!

Watching and learning from Clare can be very eye-opening for slappers. It's not just getting your feet started, it's a whole strategy that you're trying to execute, and she can help your slapper become elite!

​Like all of our coaches, you won't find someone of Clare's coaching caliber at this price anywhere else. Slapping skills can be life-changing if handled well, and you'll be in great hands with Clare.

Gwen Hendrick

Gwen is a hitter's hitter. She has an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to be a great hitter, and the rare ability to communicate how to get there.

She was All-Conference each year of high school, and is All-Conference again in college. She holds several school hitting records at Carthage College, including RBI, doubles and triples in a season.

Gwen shares our passion to give back to our sports, expand and mentor kids and coaches, as well as embracing the process.