preload

BASEBALL / LIFECOACH / COUNSEL / MENTOR

PHILOSOPHY

Services

/WHAT WE DO AT BASEBALL/LIFE

Baseball/Life provides expert service to amateur baseball players and coaches who want to develop their respective knowledge and skills. In addition, through private family consultation and school/group presentations, B/L informs college-bound athletes and their families of the specifics related to becoming and remaining a college student-athlete.  

Statistics

482629high school players
33301play NCAA baseball
638sign pro contracts
55make it to the show

Fans

/HEAR FROM PLAYERS, PARENTS, COACHES

The thing that has sustained my career in coaching and leadership positions has been the opportunity to develop relationships with people who have inspired me. This is a large group that includes youth players who, perhaps surprisingly, teach me more than I can teach them; college players whose sweat and dedication has made them successful in and out of the game; parents who trusted me with their kids, and whose support will never be forgotten; and the coaches and scouts with whom I’ve shared the struggle for success. My cap will forever tip in their direction.

The name on the front of the jersey represents who you play for, the name on the back of the jersey represents who raised you. Do them both justice.

- Anonymous -

Blog

/STUFF TO THINK ABOUT

Baseball Thoughts
May 10

GROWING UP CARDINAL

I was blessed to grow up here in Vancouver, on NW 149th Street, in the days when even my oldest brother Mike could not hit another house with a rock.…

Read More

SUN, SANDCASTLES AND SURF: A NOTE ON IMPROVING BASEBALL (AND OTHER) SKILLS

“Hey, Siri. What’s the temperature at Poipu Beach?” It had been a frustrating hour for my student and me. Romy had been trying his best to copy the stride of…

Read More

Mar 3
Nov 4

BILLY GOAT STEW: A NOTE ON JOE MADDON AND THE CUBS FANS WHO QUESTION HIM

The text messages were still coming more than twelve hours after I watched Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo stuff the baseball into his left rear pocket. An instant earlier,…

Read More

WHAT HAVE I DUNN?: MY WORST DAY ON THE DIAMOND

A businessman was trying to coax his son to jump into his arms from the cement deck of the swimming pool in which the man was wading, chest deep. The young…

Read More

Sep 14
Jun 13

PUIG, PUJOLS, AND POETRY

“Good judgement comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgement.” — Will Rodgers, American Cowboy and Humorist At 84, my father can still recite much of…

Read More

SHARE AND SHARE UNLIKE

At twenty-three, I was easily the oldest member of a rag tag group of college players from the Northwest spending its spring break barnstorming through Southern California in March of 1989.…

Read More

May 16
Mar 15

NEW SCHOOL FLUNKS OUT

Annie Savoy believed in the Church of Baseball. I do, too. The Ballpark Henrietta from Ron Shelton's Bull Durham tried all the major religions, and most of the minor ones…

Read More

A MAJOR MINOR LEAGUER

ONE DAY YEARS AGO, I SAT IN HANK JONES'S KITCHEN. Hank was a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had known me since I was fifteen years old, helped…

Read More

Jan 10
Jan 7

SAM I AM NOT — A NOTE ON COURAGE AND ADVERSITY

As the evening sun sets over Portland’s West Hills, cooling the October air and narrowing the gap between its temperature and the dew point, tiny droplets of water born high…

Read More

STAY AT 17 INCHES.

In Nashville, Tennessee, during the first week of January, 1996, more than 4,000 baseball coaches descended upon the Opryland Hotel for the 52nd annual ABCA convention. Nineteen times since, many of the same…

Read More

Dec 9
Nov 13

A GAME OF CATCH.

With two outs and the Royals’ Eric Hosmer on third base, the New York Mets were a mere out away from winning Game 5 and forcing the 2015 World Series…

Read More

A THRILL FOR AN OLD COACH.

Among my greatest baseball memories: getting to see Rocky Gale play in the Big Leagues, at Dodger Stadium, against Kershaw. A thrill for an old coach. Thanks to Rocky Gale,…

Read More

Oct 9
Oct 4

GROWN MEN?

At what age do adult males stop wearing a game jersey that doesn't belong to them?  

Read More

GALE’S FIRST CAREER HIT.

Way to go, Rock! Now part of an even more elite club. See It  

Read More

Oct 2
Oct 1

IT AIN’T DODGER STADIUM.

Awesome Company, Ltd.

Over the years there have been countless times I've looked at a field and joked, "It ain't Dodger Stadium." well, guess what...  

Read More

End

Success Metrics

90%
learning to manage pressure
100%
dealing with success and failure
80%
separating baseball from personal life
75%
avoiding emotional decisions

Coach Sperry

/WHO I AM

Having been a college head coach and clinic speaker for twenty years, I am highly qualified to assist amateur players at all levels. From helping the youth player develop the physical skills needed for success, to fine tuning the physical and mental skills of the most gifted college and professional prospects, my knowledge and passion for teaching will help you reach your potential. And with twenty years’ experience as a college recruiter, I am in a unique position to provide college-bound student-athletes with an unmatched glimpse into the world of college recruiting, NCAA regulations, admissions, financial aid, and the many factors involved in making a great college selection. // Find Out More About Coach Sperry

testimonials

Thank you for teaching these young men how to play the game of baseball the right way. We may not win every game, but we will be the classiest players in every game we play. The boys are going to play with a respect for their teammates, opposition, and the umpires no matter what.

BARRY SMITH // Father of Cameron Smith, Camas WA

I just got home from a meeting with Chris Sperry and a family of a sophomore who is looking for some college preparedness guidance. The information Chris gave this family was outstanding! They have a plan now, know what to look for and know how to execute it.

CHRIS GISSELL // Baseball Dudes

Chris is a one-of-a-kind coach, mentor, and person. He did more than prepare me to play Division I baseball. He prepared me to compete in life, and helped foster the strong belief I have in myself, including the aptitude to make a difference in the lives of others.

BRYAN DEARINGER // Assistant General Counsel at the University of Oregon

Resume

/MY ENTIRE CAREER

Coaching Experience
1998 - 2015

Head Coach

University of Portland, Portland OR

On February 1, 1998, I was hired as the head baseball coach at the University of Portland, where I would spend the next 18 seasons. In that role, I managed all areas of the Pilots' NCAA Division I baseball program. I also singlehandedly created the Diamond Dinner & Auction, the largest and most visible event of its kind at the University of Portland, and helped coordinate the annual Friends of Pilots Baseball Golf Tournament. These two events raised more than 600K to supplement scholarships, team travel, recruiting, equipment and uniforms, and to fund an assistant coaching position. Additionally, I served a critical leadership role in securing and nurturing long-term relationships with donors who funded more than $2M worth of new construction, including the Andy Pienovi Hitting Facility and the complete renovation of Joe Etzel Field. Most rewarding, perhaps, were the invitations by faculty to speak annually in sociology, philosophy, and life skills classes.

Assistant Coach

Portland State University, Portland OR

After two years building the program in Centralia, I was provided the opportunity to join Dave Dangler’s staff at Portland State University, where I served as recruiting coordinator and coached hitters, infielders, and catchers. But the experience was short-lived …

1997 -1998
1995 -1997

Junior College

Centralia College, Centralia WA

Shortly after completing my course work at Heritage University (Toppenish, WA) in 1995, I was issued an Initial Teaching Certificate, K-8, the credential I needed to teach and continue coaching high school baseball, which was my plan while I waited to fulfill my dream of coaching in college. As it turned out, I never spent a day as a classroom teacher. Instead, I was hired to be the head baseball coach at Centralia College where I realized my dream of becoming a college baseball coach. It was at Centralia that I cut my teeth with an underfunded program, hiring one volunteer assistant coach and overseeing all competitive aspects of the program, in addition to recruiting, fundraising, facilities, and academics, while teaching PE activity classes. I even mowed lawns on campus and coached the Centralia Baggers American Legion team to help make ends meet.

High School

Selah and Yakima WA

My first paid coaching job came in 1991, as an assistant to Mike Archer and the Yakima Valley Pepsi-Pak American Legion (Selah, WA). In 1993, the program won its first Washington State Championship. Outfielder Chris Magruder and pitcher Josh Pearce, who would play for me at two future stops, both reached the Major Leagues. From 1992-95, I assisted the late Pete Orgill at Davis High School in Yakima, WA where I converted Pete’s son, Peter, into a catcher and a professional prospect.

1991 - 1995
Playing Experience
1989

Pro Ball

Salem Dodgers, Salem OR

In June, 1989, I was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and area scout Hank Jones, the third longest tenured Dodgers employee behind Vin Scully and Tommy Lasorda. I served my club in a utility role and played sparingly, most notably with future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, and under pitching coach Burt “Happy” Hooton. I was released in November.

College

University of Portland, Portland OR

I was the opening day shortstop during my freshman year and batted over .400 in the Pac-10 Conference. I was named team captain as a junior, and received Pac-10 All-Conference recognition as a utility player after batting .329 and playing 2B, 3B, SS, and catching. An injury to my throwing shoulder forced a medical redshirt in 1988 and delayed my graduation. In May, 1988, the injury was repaired by surgical pioneer Dr. Frank Jobe. During rehab, I gained my first coaching experience alongside Curt Daniels and Greg Hopkins, with the Vancouver Cardinals. I returned to competition nine months after surgery, nearly a full year sooner than other Jobe patients. I was the second baseman on the 1989 team that won the Pac-10 North Championship and participated in the NCAA Regionals, eventually losing to CWS Champion Wichita State. I graduated in May 1989 with a degree in business administration and majors in marketing and management.

1984 -1989
1981 - 1984

High School

Brush Prairie High School, Brush Prairie WA

After meeting Curt Daniels, one of the coaches who would impact my life on his way to putting Clark County on the baseball map, I got my first glimpse into college baseball when I attended the Mid-Winter Developmental Baseball Camp at Washington State University where I caught the attention of Cougars assistant coach, Ralph Dickinson. I was recruited by WSU for the next three years. I made the varsity team at Prairie High School in Brush Prairie, WA as a sophomore, where I led off and started at shortstop every game for three years under coaches Ron Franklin and Don Freeman. I batted over .500 as a junior and senior, and graduated with All-State honors in 1984. During this time I became an inaugural member of the Vancouver Cardinals American Legion program, which would go on to enjoy national prominence under legendary coaches Curt Daniels and Greg Hopkins. In December, 1983, I experienced a powerful recruiting visit to Stanford University which opened my eyes to what was possible through college sports. I would eventually make additional official visits to the University of Washington, Washington State, Portland State, and the University of Portland. In July following graduation, I signed a National Letter of Intent to the University of Portland.

Education
1995

Initial Teaching Certification

Heritage College, Toppenish WA

Completed my course work at Heritage University (Toppenish, WA) in 1995 and earned an Initial Teaching Certificate, K-8, the credential I needed to teach and coach high school baseball.

Bachelor of Business Administration

University of Portland, Portland OR

Majors in both Marketing and Management.

1985 - 1989
End

Contact

/HAVE A WORD WITH THE COACH