Renegades Player and Coach Biographies

#37 Shayne Cantan (2009-2011, 2013, 2015, 2021-)
3rd Base, Midfield, Rover

At just 19 years old, Shayne was the second youngest player in Renegade history in 2009. He had been playing High School sports with sighted kids despite being visually impaired. Most recently he was the co-captain of his high school football team in Hawaii where he played offensive lineman. Playing line in football has transferred into beepball. His power on the line has become power at the plate. In 2009, he shattered every rookie record held in Renegade history on the offensive side of the plate by leading the team with 25 runs and hitting .463 which was the 3rd best average of any Renegade in a single season. Shayne then topped this in 2010 setting the all-time Renegade record for batting average in a season at .617 with 50 runs scored. It does not stop with his bat as he is one of the best two way players in team history.  See a quick video of Shayne introducing himself here.

• Awards: 2010 Bolingbrook Offensive All-Star 4th place .625 (10-16)
• 2010 Long Island Classic Offensive MVP .643 (9-14)
• 2010 Beast of the East Offensive MVP .710 (22-31)
• 2024 Beast of the East Defensive all star -1st place Mid level - 6 stops
• 2026 Indy Bonanza Offensive All start T- 5th place 8-12 (.667)

#47 Drew Crook (2019-)
3rd Base

Andrew Crook caught the bug when he played in a beepball exhibition game against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in the fall of 2018.  Excited to take it to another level, he found the Renegades and got involved with the team during the off season.  He will have one of the longest commutes on the team as he lives in Manchester, NH but he says that will not deter him and he is fired up to be a Renegade in 2019.  Drew has one of the biggest bats in team history as he can hit the ball a country mile and he breaks many beeping balls, making him an expensive player to have on the team. Meet Drew in a Renegade video

#53 Shawn Devenish (2016-)
MidField

Devenish graduated Westfield State with a degree in physical education in 2014.  He had extensive experience playing sports in High School with his vision loss against sighted opponents.  He was a three year tight end in High School for his football team. He also ran track where his events included the 4×100 relay, 800 yard dash, shot put and discuss. He found the Renegades doing a google search looking for activities to participate in as an adult with vision loss. He helped get the Renegades to its first ever National title game in 2016, his rookie year.  He currently works as a physical education teacher in his hometown of Salisbury, Mass. Awards:

• 2019 World Series Offensive All-Star 4th place .717(33-46)
• 2024 Beast of the East Defensive all star -2nd place Mid level - 5 stops

See Shawn talk to the Boston Herald in 2018 , appear on Fox25 Sportswrap in 2018 and address the team in 2019

#18 Rob Dias (2014-)
Midfielder, Shorty

Imagine shopping at a mall and having someone come up to you to talk about Beep baseball.  Thats how we recruited Rob Dias from Somerville. Coach Bryan Grillo saw a star in his eyes and just went up and started a conversation.  Rob had seen us play in 2007 and was interested.  He was the captain of his wrestling team in High School and understands what competition and leadership is all about.  When he is not playing beep baseball, Rob works for the Massachusetts office on disability as an advocate for people with disabilities.  Rob does not like to smile in his photos.  It’s a start to his intimidation…but the real fear he strikes into his opponents are the bombs leaving his bat.  Rob’s first hit was memorable as it was taken away for a safety concern but that set up his first official run as a walk off hit against the PA Wolfpack.  Defensively,  Rob Set a Renegade rookie record in the field in 2014 as he made 20 defensive stops.  This record had stood since the 2002 season. Awards

• 2024 Beast of the East Offensive all star - 3rd place 12-19 (.632)

See Rob talk to the Boston Herald in 2018

#19 Michael Donovan (2025-)

Michael Donovan has been passionate about baseball for most of his life, playing for over a decade before transitioning to beep baseball. Diagnosed with Stargardt disease in high school, he continues to adapt to his changing vision while staying connected to the sport he loves. Originally from New Jersey, Michael moved to Massachusetts and has embraced new opportunities both on and off the field. With a strong interest in technology, he is pursuing a career in cybersecurity. Though still adjusting to the nuances of beep baseball, he is eager to develop his skills and grow within the sport. Michael values the sense of camaraderie and competition that the Renegades provide, and he looks forward to challenging himself, learning from his teammates, and contributing to the team’s success.

#3 Melissa Hoyt (2007-)
1st Base, MidField

Hoyt picked up a bat in spring, 2007 and became the second female player in Renegade history to play in tournament competition.  Since then she has become the longest tenured female Renegade player in team history.   As a child, she played soccer and basketball until her vision loss seemed to put an end to her participation in team sports. “As a kid I was an avid sports fan, following football, basketball and baseball, wishing at times I could be on a team again.” That wish became a reality when she found the Renegades. For Melissa, she is often limited in what she can do physically as she battles Mitochondrial disease.  She may not be abl to run the bases as often as she wants or even practice as hard as she desires, but sh does not let that stop her.  She does what she can and has the full support of the team.  One of her career highlights was throwing out the first pitch at Fenway park with her team standing behind her on the Fenway infield in 2017. Read about Melissa in Mitoaction here from an article in 2017.  You can also see her appear on the Boston Neighborhood Network in 2010

#40 Chris Kimball (2021-)
Rover, Shorty, 1st base

Kimball first found the team as a teenager at a camp in 2012 as a 14 year old.  We knew he enjoyed it at the time but was years away from being eligible to play. Fast forward 9 years later and we finally found him again through a lot of research and getting lucky connecting with his sister on Facebook.  This collegiate runner from Nichols College made an instant impact on the team, joining the 2021 season in late July.  He found himself playing in games with just a month of practice under his belt(rarely ever done in Renegade history).  Chris has a love of baseball, a love of running (he qualified for the Boston Marathon in 2022) and a grit that is worthy of the Renegades.

#80 David Marcano (2025-)
Mid Field

Hello, team! I’m David Marcano Urbina, born in the warm and passionate Venezuela. Due to challenges in my country, I decided to seek new horizons and moved to Spain, where I lived for six years full of learning, growth, and unforgettable moments. Today, with enthusiasm and determination, I’m here in the United States, ready to give my all and lead this baseball team to victory. I joined this amazing team thanks to a great friend and teammate who believed in my passion and talent for the game. A fun fact about me? I’m a lover of exploration! I’m thrilled by discovering new places, immersing myself in their cultures, and trying new things, like tasting a local dish or embracing new experiences. With teamwork, energy, and tons of drive, we’re going to write an epic story together. Let’s do this!

#46 Joe McCormick (2012-)
Rover, Shorty, 1st Base

In 2012, Joe McCormick became a Renegade and in that season was one of six players on the squad with the name Joe.  None of those Joe’s were average and this Joe was no exception.  McCormick lost his sight during his senior year in high school and never let that slow him down.  Without missing a beat, he went on to graduate with a degree in computer science from Harvard University in 2014.  In his rookie campaign, McCormick set a Renegade record by scoring the most runs in team history as a rookie (34). Two years later he became just the second Renegade to make the World Series All-star team hitting .600.  Ten years later, Mac set the Renegade team record for highest batting average in a season (.792) and was named the Co Offensive MVP at the World Series, batting .800!  Joe Mac is a leader both on and off the field with his work ethic, his knack to convince his friends to join the coaching staff, his ability to fundraise and his competitive desire to make the Renegades one of the top teams in the world.

• Awards:
• 2014 World Series Offensive All-star 5th place .600 (21-35)
• 2022 World Series Offensive Co-MVP .800 (28-35)
• 2025 Beast of the East top Mid field defensive player - 6 stops

See Joe Interviewed by New England Baseball Journal in 2013, and by Ubersense video in 2014

#4 Tyler Mireault (2023-)
Rover

Tyler Mireault became a Renegade in June, 2023 half way through the season.  New to vision loss, Tyler was out of shape as he had not participated in sports since losing his vision.  A former baseball player, track star and High School Corner back for Chelmsford High school, he had the athletic background and desire to play sports again.  Tyler saw his first game action with the team in July at the Beast of the East.  He became just the 2nd player in team history to score in his first two at bats as he plated runs against the Long Island Bombers and Philly Fire.  He was all in for the 2024 season and he continued to set records.  He continued to score and scored in his first 7 at bats in 2024, setting a team record and possibly a league record scoring in his first 9 at bats.  Tyler also made the Beast of the East All star team in his first full season.  The sky is the limit for Tyler Mireault in this sport. Awards

• 2024 Beast of the East Offensive all star - 6th place 13-23 (.565)

 

#14 Jen Morin-Tylock (2025)
Rookie

Jennifer Morin-Tylock is excited to join the Renegades, bringing her energy and passion for teamwork to the field. Having grown up in Shrewsbury, MA, Jennifer has always valued the camaraderie that comes with being part of a team working toward a common goal. She looks forward to learning the ins and outs of beep baseball, a sport she's eager to explore as she continues to challenge herself and experience personal growth. Though Jennifer lost her central vision to LHON at the age of 14, she navigates daily life with her peripheral vision, adapting to the challenges that come with it. A software engineer at Oracle, she currently resides in Melrose, MA, where she’s building her professional career while pursuing her passion for learning and trying new things. Her athletic background is just as diverse as her interests—Jennifer competed in pole vaulting throughout her years at MIT and enjoyed other track and field events during her high school years. A lover of adventure, she also enjoys skiing, pole dancing, parkour, disc golf, and even circus arts. Despite the challenges she faces, Jennifer is excited to contribute her unique perspective and skills to the Renegades, all while forging new friendships and being a proud addition as another woman on the team.

#71 Elana Regan (2021-)
Shorty, 1st Base, Rover

Elana first met the Renegades in 2016 as a 14 year old.  During a trip to see the team in 2016, she asked many of the players and coaches to autograph her hat and she feel in love with the team.  In 2021, we participated in an event and attended a Woo Sox game and reconnected with her.  She was all in from that moment. She had two goals when she started to have vision loss.  Join the Renegades and get herself a guide dog.  Mission accomplished on both goals.  Elana joined the team in the beginning of August as an 18 year old and became the youngest female player in Renegade history.  She also became the first player to ever join the team and play in a game the same month she joined.   Elana played softball before her sight loss made it hard to play.  She is attending Brandeis University

#1 Ivan Rodriguez (2021-)
Pinch Hitter

Ivan found the team from a friend, Luis Soto.  Ivan played baseball into his 30's before he suffered vision loss in his late 30's.  At 48 years of age, he would become one of the oldest rookies in team history and would become the 2nd rookie to sign on with the team in one of the biggest rookie classes in team history (4 players).  Ivan greatly benefited from getting back on the field in two ways.  First, it was some of the most exercise he had since losing his vision.  Second, he only knew one blind person before joining the team.  Getting to be around such high functioning blind people helped Ivan recognize the potential he can reach and started to show him new skills to use as a relatively new blind person.

#48 David Sanchez (2018-)
Designated Hitter

David moved to Worcester in the winter of 2018 and through a google search found the Renegades.  Originally from Puerto Rico, he later moved to North Carolina.  David has been an avid baseball fan for his whole life loves to play this sport after he was deemed legally blind with RP in 2008.  Sanchez is the second ever Renegade with military background as he was a Sergeant for the 82nd Airborne Division in the army.  Anyone who can jump out of an airplane can quickly adopt to putting on a blindfold and running to the bases at top speed. See David appear on Fox25 Sportswrap in 2018

#27 Luis Soto (2014-)
1st Base, Rover

Luis Soto is another player of foreign descent for the Renegades.  Born in Venezuela and raised in the Dominican Republic, he now calls Boston his home.  Luis found the Renegades from his classmate, Damon Graff, as the two of them were studying to be massage therapists at the time.  Luis finds great joy from being part of the team.  Playing for the Renegades has given him confidence that has helped him in many facets of his life including improving his home and employment situations.  In 2018, he gained further confidence when he may have become the first blind beep baseball player to live broadcast a game on Facebook live in Spanish.

#2 Christian Thaxton (2015-)
3rd base, Rover, 1st Base

While playing baseball for Redlands Community College, Thaxton began to notice that he was struggling to see the inside pitch.  This was a pitch he normally crushed.  After seeing the eye doctor, he discovered he was going to lose his sight.  A short time after trying to figure things out, he decided to come to Boston to learn skills to help him cope with his vision loss.  His journey took him to the Carroll Center for the Blind.  There he began to start his new life without sports on his radar.  He never heard of beep baseball and found our team at an event at the Carroll Center and decided to come try it out.  One of his favorite feelings was the feeling of a ball hitting his bat.  He made contact quickly and often in his first batting practice as a blind man.  Thaxton had the bug.  He signed on to play with the Renegades before he had even decided to stay in Boston.  In 2017, Thaxton finished his degree, but from UMASS Amherst.  He also set a league record for the highest batting average in league history hitting .897 at the World Series in West Palm Beach, Florida.  Cooperstown came calling and to honor his accomplishment, put his bat on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Awards:

• 2015 World Series Offensive All-Star 4th place .719(23-32)
• 2016 World Series Offensive All-Star 4th place .651(28-43)
• 2017 World Series Offensive MVP .897 (26-29)
• 2019 World Series Offensive All-Star 6th place .706(36-51)
• 2025 World Series Offensive All-Star 2nd place .800(20-25)

See Christian appear on NBC  and appear on NPR’s “Only a game” in 2017

#64 Rob Thayer (2011-)
1st Base, Rover

Rob’s doctors said he would never play sports…that is until he found the Boston Renegades in 2011.  An avid sports fan, Thayer was happy to be part of a team. Competition, teamwork and losing weight were some of his goals when he joined the Renegades.  The weight loss was not only important to feel better, he wanted to shed pounds to help him lose his diabetes.  In his time with the Renegades he has been able to lose close to 70 pounds and keep the weight off.  At first, Thayer was one of the quietest players on the roster but once he got comfortable, he became a force.  Many consider him one of the best teammates on the roster always offering words of encouragement and bear hugs to his coaches and players during games.  He earned the nickname “Hot Tub” when he first discovered the joys of this hot bubbly sensation while attending the World Series in Minnesota in 2014.  While there, he would wake up at 5am to sit in the tub before games. Thayer became the President if his Lions club in Brockton in 2018 and is always looking for ways to help people. Meet Rob Thayer in a video made by the Boston Renegades in 2012

#95 Victoria Vergara Bond (2025-)
Rover

Victoria Vergara Bond, originally from New York, has been legally blind since 1995. She works for a nonprofit and has always valued staying active, having competed on her high school swim team. Victoria first discovered the Boston Renegades when she stumbled upon an off-season practice in the park across from her home, and she was immediately drawn to the team’s energy and welcoming spirit. She joined the Renegades to stay active, build connections, and feel more rooted in her city, finding a community that encourages both personal growth and teamwork.

#30 Joe Yee (2014-)
3rd Base, 1st Base

In 2014, he became the 7th player named Joe to play in a game for the Renegades.  Joe’s experience with team sports was as a blind wrestler in high school.  As an adult, he enjoyed cross country skiing but never had much time for recreation.  Instead, Joe put his energy into his career.  He taught himself computers and focused on building his career.  That career lasted a long time at the Harvard Management Company as part of their IT department.  In 2013, on a recruiting spree, we finally convinced Dino Vasile (a Renegade at the time) to ask Joe to come give the sport a try.  Timing was just right as Joe wanted to put more work life balance into play.  On the field, Joe has had a lot of success on both sides of the ball in a short time.  His wrestling background has made him tough as he has battled through some injuries in his time with the team, most notably getting hit in the head twice in an inning while playing defense against the defending champs, Indy Thunder in 2017.  That did not stop him.  In 2018, he put that behind him and raised his batting average nearly .303 points above his career average when he hit .586 in a season.  Yee accomplished this with the help of his cousin, Peter Connolly who he convinced to join the team.  They became the second family members in team history to score a run off each other in competition. Hear what beepball means to Joe Yee in a Renegade video shot in 2016

#9 Guy Zuccarello (2002, 2005-)
Shorty, Midfield

Guy was one of the original players from the 2002 squad. He left the team to parent a baby after the first season of play and returned in 2005.  Pound for pound Guy may be one of the most dangerous players in the league on both sides of the ball. On defense Guy has been named to two All star teams at the World Series including being named the MVP on defense in 2012 in Columbus, Georgia.  He is also the Renegades all-time leader in defensive stops.  Off the field, Guy is in charge of helping recruit new players and coaches.  He helps organize events and talks to anyone who wants to learn more about the sport and the team.  Guy has an amazing memory and can tell many stories about how the team has grown from what he calls the “dead ball era” of the 2002 team into what it has become today.

• Awards: 2010 Beast of the East Defensive All star (15 stops)
• 2012 World Series defensive MVP 36 Stops
• 2013 World Series defensive All Star 3rd place 41 stops

See Guy on Fox News in 2017 and on Chronicle in 2012  and address the team in 2019

John Oliveira (2000-)
Founder

John is the man behind the Renegades. You may not see him on the field or hear him in team meetings, but his influence is everywhere. John met Coach Weissman in 2000 and the two had a vision to create a competitive beepball league in the Boston area. That vision may have been tweaked over time, but the Association of Blind Citizens found a way to fund the Boston Renegades Beepball program. John helped get the team started in 2000 and coached them in their first World Series in 2002. In 2003, he moved “upstairs” and left the coaching duties to new coach Rob Weissman. Oliveira’s passion to promote programs for visually impaired people has been the number one reason the Boston Renegades exist as a team.  His tireless efforts also provided the team with the majority of its fundraising from 2002-2012 when the team was trying to build a foundation.

#62 Rob Weissman (2003-)
Head Coach, Catcher

Weissman helped start Beepball as a competitive sport in the Boston area. He got his start as the head coach of the Lowell LAB Retrievers in 2000. In 2003, he returned to the coaching ranks as the head coach of the Boston Renegades. He brings a unique style to the team where he is heavily involved in every aspect of the game as a hands on vocal coach. Those vocal chords get a work out during the season as he is known to lose his voice during tournaments yelling words of encouragement and barking out strategy. He may be the only head coach who catches during the game, which helps him keep a unique perspective. In his coaching career he has caught for over 3500 at bats and pitched to 20 batters. This means he has not been involved in a pitcher catcher battery in just 2 at bats since 2003.

Peg Bailey (2013-)
Team Nurse, Catcher

On a cold April Rainy night at Fenway, Peg got up from her grand stand seat and was walking around the concourse when she stumbled across a table with a few blind guys.  Curiosity brought her to the table and after talking to a few people she was interested in learning more about beep baseball.  That interest turned into a volunteer coaching position.  Peg has a deep background in softball.  She walked on to her college softball team as a 37 year old freshman pitcher at Salem State.  At this time, she was still pitching in a modified fast pitch league.  Beyond that, she has coaching experience in softball and is a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).  As a Renegade, Peg has made this one of her passions.  She is an avid fundraiser and makes almost every practice.  Her passion to help others shines with the Renegades as she helps with their skills and their health. We are excited that night at Fenway was cold, or we may never had met her.

#77 Joe Bourque (2013-2014, 2017-2020, 2023-)
Spotter/Catcher

Joe Bourque joined the Renegades in 2013 while he was still attending Boston College.  After graduation, he left the area but never lost touch with the team.  Even though he was not actively on the roster, he did attend some games in 2016 and never lost interest in the game.  He vowed to return.  In 2017, his career path took him back into the Boston area and before he has even started his first day, he voiced his pleasure to be back with the team.  Hailing from Wakefield, Bourque, a two-time marathoner, grew up playing baseball, basketball, hockey and football throughout his childhood and continued in running track during his high school years.  Bourque found out about the Renegades through his close friend and current Renegade player, Joe McCormick.   While with the team  Joe played many roles from helping with running practices, getting paperwork, keeping stats, shooting video, catching, hitting grounders, running drills, doing live videos of our games and calling on the defense.  He also was part of the coaching staff that attended the 2014 & 2019 World Series.

#44 Ron Cochran (2006-)
Pitcher

Cochran returned to beepball in 2006 as he along with Weissman and Grillo helped get beepball started in Massachusetts back in 2000 with the Lowell LAB Retrievers. In his first year as a pitcher he set many of the Renegade records including best batting average against (.368). Cochran is one of the best pitchers in the sport.  He is our all-time leader in batting average against (.399), Putting balls into play (78.5%) and at-bats (5029).   In 2022, He surpassed 2000 runs allowed in his career!  Ron has helped 5 players win 8 World Series offensive awards including league MVP's in 2017 and 2022. Ron brings with him experience in pitching, a hard core competitive fire and years of coaching experience.

Ben Coiner (2016-2018, 2023-)
Hitting Coach, Spotter

Ben moved to the Boston area in 2015 to take a job at Brigham and Women’s Hospital after graduating from the University of Chicago in the spring.  He found the Renegades on the web while looking for things to do in the Boston area and thought it would be a great fit for him as a volunteer activity.  Ben played division three baseball while in college as a catcher and a walk-on athlete.  His knowledge of baseball and his passion to help people made a quick impact.  Ben was a constant presence during his time with the team.  He coached hitting and was a caller in our defense both regionally and in Chicago.  His love for the Renegades even brought his family to the team from Michigan as his brother helped at practices while his entire family has become true fans and supporters of the team  He left the Boston area in the middle of the 2018 season to attend Med School at Vanderbilt University.   His work volunteering for the Renegades was featured in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Bulletin

#7 Peter Connolly (2016-)
Pitcher, Spotter

Peter joined the Renegade after the start of the 2016 season and he quickly picked up the sport.  In team history, he became just the 3rd volunteer related to a player.  He is Joe Yee’s younger cousin.  During  the work week, he is an actuary for John Hancock but for the Renegades he wields a big bat.  That big bat is needed as we want ground balls to be “smoked” to help us prepare for the World Series.  Peter is an active softball player and those skills help him read balls off the bats of opponents as he has worked his way into the rotation of Renegade callers.  He has also steadily improved as a pitcher.  He has been willing to throw countless BP sessions, exhibition games and in 2022, he paired with Ron Cochran to become one of the only pitching pairs in league history to each have a sub 20% K rate at the World Series.  In 2022, he became just the 4th Renegade pitcher to surpass 100 runs scored against him. Off the field, Peter is invaluable to many of the Renegades as he is often willing to help players get rides to or from the practice fields.

#35 Gina Devenish (2018-)
Catcher/Spotter

Gina officially joined the squad in 2018 after sitting on the sidelines as a fan in 2016 & 2017.  Gina resides in Salisbury, MA with her husband, Shawn Devenish who plays with the squad.  Her experience as a teaching assistant and time running track, playing field hockey and watching the Renegades practice for the past 2 years will help make her a valuable  asset to the team.  Gina likes the fact the Renegades help blind and visually impaired people be part of a team while having a reason to stay in shape and stay active.

Gabi Dornelles (2025)
Fitness and Base Running Coach

Gabriela Dornelles, originally from Brazil, is a passionate advocate for sports and physical education, with a strong focus on inclusive practices. A graduate in Physical Education, Gabriela has worked as a swimming instructor, specializing in supporting individuals with special needs, and as a soccer coach. Her academic pursuits include a degree in Business Administration from MassBay, with plans to further her education with a Master’s in Sports for Special Needs. Gabriela's dedication to the community extends beyond her professional roles, as she actively volunteers with Special Olympics Massachusetts. Her involvement with the Boston Renegades began when she discovered the team through a Google search for volunteer opportunities, and she is eager to contribute her skills and knowledge to the team. With a deep passion for helping others, Gabriela brings her experience and enthusiasm to coaching and is excited to work with athletes who inspire her every day.

Hassan Ellalami (2026)
Base Running and Fitness coach

Hassan is former division one collegiate Tennis player from Merrimack College where he graduated with a degree in Exercise Science. He currently is managing Stretch Lab and is the lead Flexologist while at Northshore community College finishing out his Physical Therapy Assistant degree. He heard about the team after stretching coach Rob Weissman for more than a year. Combine his love of sports and his career trajectory, he will make a quick transition to helping the Renegades. Hassan grew up in Gilbert, Arizona and also attended NorthEastern University Doctorate in Physical Therapy, where his mentor was former Renegade coach, Matt Nippins.

#33 Bryan Grillo (2003-)
Defensive and Running Coach, Spotter

Grillo gets his beepball roots from coaching with the Lowell LAB Retrievers in 2000 with Rob Weissman. While in Lowell, he was often found wearing a blindfold and playing the game as player. The perspective of being a player has helped him to lead the team in the field. Grillo is the Renegades Caller. When there is a ball put into play you will hear Bryan yelling out signals to the players to help them zone in on the ball. Grillo has been the Renegades sole caller in a single caller system in 80 of 82 games since he joined the team in 2003. Since the team has moved to a dual calling system, Grillo has called more games (31) than anyone else. Historically, he was on the field to help Darren Black (2) and Guy Zuccarello (2) earn their World Series All- Star awards.

Alex Hamel (2024)
Hitting Coach

Alex joined the Renegades in the spring of the 2024 season bringing his skills as a baseball player to the team.  Alex played on the club baseball team for Umass and has extensive knowledge of hitting.  Alex was quick to help our hitters work on their swings.  He quickly jumped in and helped improve our coaching of hitting and brought tips to all of the Renegades. Additionally, his powerful swing helped our defense get reps off a big hitter who can replicate any swing in the NBBA.  Alex is the first med School student to become a volunteer during his time at med school.  He plans to graduate medical school from Umass in 2027.  Alex's dedication to the team was incredible in his rookie year as he juggled med school with a two hour round trip commute from Worcester to help the Renegades improve their game!

Oliver Harrington (2026-)
Volunteer

Oliver harrington becomes the third member of his family to join the renegade coaching staff joining his dad and his older brother.  He started his tenure as a 14 year old freshman at Wayland High School, making him the fourth Wayland High school volunteer we have had since 2019. Oliver played little league ball.  He skis and plays soccer as well but is excelling at golf.  Oliver has wanted to join the team for over a year as he thinks what his dad and brother are doing seems “cool”. Oliver enjoys cooking and we hope that transfers to helping our bats cook when they are at the dish!

Owen Harrington (2025-)
Hitting Coach

Owen Harrington is a passionate and dedicated hitting coach and drills assistant, bringing his baseball experience to the Renegades team. A sophomore in high school, Owen is excited to share his knowledge of the game and contribute to the players' growth throughout the season. He looks forward to seeing the team’s progress and is especially excited about the prospect of the World Series.   Growing up in Waltham, MA, Owen has been an active participant in sports, playing basketball, skiing, and baseball. His love for sports and teamwork shines through in his role with the Renegades, as he enjoys helping others develop their skills and working toward team success. Although he has limited experience with blindness, Owen is eager to make the necessary adjustments and deepen his understanding of the challenges and unique dynamics of beep baseball.   In addition to his sports endeavors, Owen is committed to his studies and enjoys skiing and playing baseball in his spare time. He is excited to be part of the Renegades family and looks forward to contributing to the team’s achievements.

Eric Harrington (2025-)
Volunteer

Eric Harrington was introduced to the Boston Renegades through his wife, who did some research on the team. Eager to contribute, Eric has joined as part of the medical team and as a hitting coach. His passion for helping others and being part of a team drives him to ensure that players feel a sense of normalcy and camaraderie on the field. Although Eric has no previous experience with blindness, he’s excited to learn more about it through his involvement with the Renegades. He’s committed to using his expertise to support the players and expand his understanding of disability. Eric works as a nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess and has a background in volunteering, having previously served at Camp Johnson. He also manages his own health with Type 1 diabetes, a challenge that has given him additional insight into caring for others with health concerns. A lifelong lover of sports, Eric grew up in Duxbury, MA, and has been an avid participant in softball, skiing, running, and biking. His connection to Boston is strong, and he has lived in Waltham, MA, for several years. Eric is excited to be a part of the Renegades and is looking forward to building relationships and helping the team thrive.

Tom Kimball (2022-)
Volunter

During the winter of the 2022 season, Tom was often picking his son, Chris up from cage practice and he got the bug to want to volunteer.  Tom became just the third father of a player to ever be part of the Renegade coaching staff.  Tom helped the team out primarily on the base running side of the game.  He is often found working with base runners as they hit and get out of the box.  During games, Tom brings his love of  photography to the team and got us a lot of pictures during the season that you will see on social media.

Michael Koenig (2019, 2022, 2025-)
Running coach/Consultant

Mike found the Renegades through an ad within IBM’s community outreach program.  That add had been running for years and Mike was the first one to respond.  Mike jumped right in with two feet from his first practice with the team.  His coaching experience prior to working with the team included  both football and lacrosse.  Mike moved out of the Boston area but he still loves the team.  Starting back in 2024, he volunteered to help us with some off the field roles to help the Renegades improve their fundraising capabilities.  His business experience and leadership in this realm is now helping the team in new ways that will hopefully help future Renegades play this sport!

Gabe Kramer

Gabe Kramer joined the Renegades for the start of the 2026 season.  Gabe found the Renegades during his internship at the Carroll Center for the Blind.  As an avid Red Sox fan and baseball fan, he was quickly drawn to the team and the sport. While finishing his Senior year at Lasell College and earning his degree in Psychology, Kramer is falling in love with his new team.  Upon graduation, Gabe is going on to become a TVI and follow his path of helping those with a visual impairment.  Helping the blind and loving baseball makes Gabe and the Renegades a great fit

#34 Mike Marciello (2013-)
Hitting Coach, Team Doctor

Media plays an important role in connecting people and that was the case for Mike.  He found about us through an article on our documentary that was in the Boston Globe.  Mike has some personal ties to the team on a few levels.  Athletically he loves baseball and has played and coached it at different levels.   Personally has been diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease which impacts his central vision.    Professionally he trained at Spaulding Rehab and is currently a doctor of Physiatry which focuses on treating pain and restoring maximum function lost through injury. Mixing all of the above together and we have the ingredients and a recipe for a coach who we hope will help us as much as we can help him.

Alyson Mireault (2026-)
Volunteer

We are working on it 🙂

#23 Nick Morin-Tylock (2025)
Spotter, Defensive coach

Nicholas Morin-Tylock is an enthusiastic spotter and coach who brings a unique perspective to the team, shaped by his seven years of experience supporting his wife, Jen, a rookie player on the Renegades this season. Through their journey together, Nicholas has learned valuable lessons about living with blindness and disability. From helping Jen navigate the world around her by reading ice cream flavors to being her personal chauffeur, Nicholas is deeply committed to her well-being and development. Originally from Pelham, NH, Nicholas grew up with a passion for sports, including baseball, basketball, and skiing. He discovered ultimate frisbee in college and continues to enjoy playing in basketball and ultimate leagues. A dedicated Boston Celtics fan, Nicholas brings his love for teamwork and learning to the Renegades, where he is excited to help the team succeed. Professionally, Nicholas works as a financial analyst, using his skills in budgeting and forecasting to assist companies in managing their financial operations. His love for being part of a team and helping others learn fuels his enthusiasm for his role on the Renegades, where he looks forward to contributing to the team’s growth and success.

#26 Rick Myers (2004-)
Defensive Coach, Equipment Manager

Myers was introduced to the game of beepball in 2000 as he was part of a sighted team asked to play the Lowell LAB Retrievers in a scrimmage game. He was one of the few sighted people to score a run in those contests. In 2004, Myers joined the coaching ranks to help Boston with their defensive skills. One important lesson he taught was the importance of wearing a protective cup as he accidentally hit a player three times before they made the all important purchase. Myers has a PHD in Physics which has been helpful off the field repairing bases, studying breakage in bats and developing defensive charts for the coaches to use to set up the team defense. Myers has not been able to be on field as much in recent years but has stayed involved helping to repair equipment and work with stats for the home games.

Fran Regan (2021-)
Running Coach

We met Fran Regan at a Woo Sox game that he attended with his daughter, Elana.  Little did he know, he was going to be recruited!  Fran became just the second father of a player to ever join the Renegades coaching staff.  He also became the first family member to ever join the team in the rookie year of their family member.   We asked him to join because he is a skilled physical therapist and we needed that on our team.  He fell in love with the team and the sport.  You can even find Fran at practice on the few days his daughter is unavailable.  Fran has become one of our running coaches and has taken it upon himself to come up with new tools on his own time to help the team improve their speed.  He also helps players during the off season with work outs to help them improve their health on and off the field.  Drew Crook credits Fran for helping him have his healthiest season in the 2022 season and a few others watched this happen and enlisted his help in Fran's second Renegade off season.

Tom Regan (2026-)
Hitting Coach

Tom Regan is a “former IT-Guy” who worked for 25 years at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge.  This father of two from Upton even had one of his kids study math in high School under our pitcher, Ron Cochran. Tom's first experience with the Renegades was actually as an opponent in a scrimmage game in the summer of 2025.  He didn’t know what to expect when he stepped on that field.  He thought his team had a chance to compete and when the game was over, he was surprised and he didn't think his team of softball players gave the Renegades a game.  He left with a deep appreciation for what our athletes can do.  Tom is an avid sports fan and competitor.  He is not only a coach of the Renegades, but he is an avid basketball, softball, Pickleball and bowler.  He has extensive coaching experience coaching his kids little league baseball and basketball teams.  He currently plays and coaches his own softball teams for the past 16 years

Barry Stearns (2024-)
Coach

Barry joined the Renegades in June of 2024 and he jumped in with both feet.  An avid softball player, Barry wanted to join the team as soon as he found out about the sport.  Barry became a student of the game in 2024 learning all facets of the sport.  He started to learn about it by putting on a blindfold and trying his hand at fielding, running and hitting. He helps coach defensive mechanics and hitting.  He catches batting practice and is learning the basics of calling on defense.  His efforts extended beyond the field as he helped the Renegades with travel plans and getting new equipment.  Living in Waltham, he also became close to many of the players at the start of his career helping them to find our new practice fields in Waltham and helping some of them with rides!  Barry is currently a flight attendant who enjoys international travel!

#13 Dean Vasile (2011-2013, 2025-)
Defense Coach

Dino was the first player to make the transition from player to coach in Renegade history.  He helped coach the team in 2011 and had hopes of playing full time again but was unable to due to family obligations.  He loves the sport and working with the players and coaches.  Dino has a knack for motivating his teammates and his skills as a two way player (and our lead-off hitter for a few years) transfer to the coaching side of the ball.  Dino helped the Renegades improve their ability to play defense and guided both rookies and seasoned veterans.  We hope he opens the door for other legacy Renegade greats to come back and coach because the team has a lot of experience sitting in the retirement homes.

Dana Vermilya (2019-)
Running coach/Team Nurse

Dana joined the team in 2019 after hearing about the squad from Lisa Andrews.  Dana joins the team with her daughter, Kim and brings the first ever mother/Daughter tandem to the team.  Dana helps the Renegades with base running and defense.  She also adds medical experience to the team as she is a nurse who works at Brigham and Women's hospital.  The funny thing is she works on a floor that Coach Rob spent 3 weeks on during the 2014 pre-season.  Dana has been a steady presence with the team in her rookie season and is learning a lot.

Rasik Waikar (2022-)
catcher, Hitting Coach

This 15 year old from Brookline is one of the youngest people to ever join the Renegades and coming to this team did not know a single player or volunteer on the staff.  That says a lot about his character.  Without a driver's license, he often got Ubers to practice to be part of the Renegade experience!  Rasik can be found catching batting practice and helping to run defensive drills.  He also helps us with hitting and gave guidance to a few of our hitters.  To see a 15 year old kid explain how to fix a hitting flaw and have them incorporate his teachings is a cool thing to see!   During the 2022 season he joined us to run a camp for visually impaired kids, many- who were his age.  It was such a cool sight to see him helping blind kids his age learn how to swing the bat and everyone of them made contact during their BP sessions with Rasik's guidance.

Calista Weissman (2011-2013, 2020, 2025-)
Volunteer

Calista was the youngest volunteer we have ever had.  At just 9 years of age this go getter started volunteering for the team. The niece of coach Rob and daughter of Lisa Klinkenberg. Calista is not shy. Calista got her start helping the team with basic things at practice such as getting paperwork filled out, working the base switch, working drills with the defense. Her outgoing attitude made it easy for a little kid to fit in with the Renegades. She came back to the team in 2020 as a Senior in High School and helped the Renegades with some of her video editing skills.  These talents have turned out some great fundraising and coaching videos for the team.

#41 Hunter Weissman (2011-2013, 2015-)
Hitting Coach, Catcher, Team Operations Intern

Hunter, one of the Weissman twins, is Coach Rob’s nephew and former coach Lisa Klinkenberg’s son. Both Lisa and Rob thought it would be great to have the kids involved in the team and as they grow, they are getting great experience volunteering and learning about the visually impaired. Hunter has a lot of baseball experience and can often be found catching, throwing balls into the team defense or helping guide players back from base running drills.  In 2017, Hunter was looking for a bigger role and took on an internship with the team.  There he worked on many projects including organizing fundraising games, working in the community, broadcasting games and events on Facebook live.  Hunter gained worked in all facets of the operations of the Renegades.

Gary Zeller (2026-)
Coach

Gary Zeller joined the Renegades after playing against them with his softball team.  This Newton resident sells electronic components and is a father of two boys who he coached for 10 years during their little league careers in Needham. Gary currently plays softball, racquetball, tennis, ping pong, pickleball and golf. Even after coaching for three months during the winter, he is still amazed when he sees players hit the ball.  His favorite part of being a Renegade is connecting with a whole new community of people.

Luisa Lotero (2025)
Marketing Specialist

Luisa Lotero joined the Renegades with a passion for learning and making a meaningful impact. As a Marketing Specialist Intern, she is eager to connect with the team, help grow its presence, and leave a lasting mark. She is particularly excited about learning the ins and outs of beep baseball while also gaining hands-on experience in marketing a sports team. Her goals include increasing the team's reach, securing sponsorships, planning events, and managing social media to expand the Renegades' visibility. Originally from Medellín, Colombia, Luisa moved to the U.S. at 17 to pursue her education. She is currently a Finance and Marketing major at Hult International Business School in Cambridge, MA. Although she has no prior experience working with blind athletes, she is eager to learn and immerse herself in the Renegades’ community. An avid sports enthusiast, Luisa has played volleyball, basketball, and soccer, and has also trained in horseback riding, swimming, boxing, Muay Thai, water skiing, and wakeboarding. She thrives in team environments and is always open to constructive feedback, believing that learning and growth go hand in hand.