UMass Amherst Alumni (1997–2001)
Craig Szado
23+ years developing ballplayers from youth to pro — former Chicago White Sox pitcher blending old-school grit with new-age tools as President of NE Elite Baseball.
NE Elite Baseball · Springfield · Baseball
Starting Price
$126.49
Credentials
Highlights
- Former professional pitcher in the Chicago White Sox organization (2001–2003)
- Developed Tyler Wilson — Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American and URI all-time strikeout leader
- Built All-Americans, All-Conference, All-New England, All-Region, and All-State honorees across 23+ years of coaching
- Guided players to top programs including Northeastern, Clark, Emerson, Westfield State, and MiLB
- President of NE Elite Baseball, one of New England's premier development organizations
Teaching Philosophy
I believe the mind is a player's biggest adversary — and that's where real development begins. Before we ever talk mechanics, we talk about how you think, how you process failure, and how you translate confidence into execution on the mound or in the batter's box. My approach is simple: old-school mindset, new-age tools. I've been doing this for over 23 years, and the one thing that never changes is that mental and mechanical development have to go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. I give my players access to me 7 days a week — because growth doesn't happen on a schedule. Whether you're a youth player just finding your footing, a high school kid chasing a college offer, a travel ball athlete looking to stand out, or a college player fighting for a professional opportunity, I meet you where you are and build from there. My job isn't to make you look like someone else — it's to help you become the best version of yourself as a baseball player and a competitor. I build your mind, and then we build your mechanics around it.
About the coach
I'm a former professional pitcher who spent time in the Chicago White Sox organization after playing collegiately at UMass Amherst, and over the last 23-plus years I've dedicated myself entirely to developing baseball players at every level. As President of NE Elite Baseball, I've built an organization that takes player development seriously — not just the physical side, but the mental and mechanical dimensions that separate good players from great ones.
My track record speaks for itself. I've coached All-Americans, All-Conference, All-New England, All-Region, and All-State honorees. Players I've worked with have gone on to compete at programs including Northeastern, the University of Rhode Island, Clark, Emerson, Lasell, Westfield State, St. Michael's, and into Minor League Baseball. Tyler Wilson, one of my guys, became a Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American and the all-time strikeout leader at the University of Rhode Island. That's not luck — that's years of consistent development, trust, and belief in a process that works.
I work closely with MLB Certified Agent Nik Lubisich and collaborate with NW Futures, which gives my players access to pathways and resources that most private coaches simply can't offer. Whether you're 8 years old picking up a baseball for the first time or a college player with professional aspirations, I will help you build the mind, the body, and the mechanics to reach your next level. That's been my promise for over two decades, and it's never changed.
Specialities
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Purchase Options
5-Lesson Elite Development Pack
5 Online Lessons- 5 async video analysis lessons — use anytime, no expiry
- Detailed annotated video feedback on every submission within 48 hours
- Personalized multi-week development roadmap after lesson 1
- Side-by-side mechanical comparison on each lesson
- Priority messaging access throughout the pack
- Recruitment-readiness tips and next-level program guidance
