The Virginia Baseball Academy staff instructors are hand-picked for their knowledge of baseball and softball, and their ability to communicate it to our young players. Our coaches have had college and/or professional experience and, more importantly, they have been intensely trained in our state of the art major league baseball and softball techniques. VBA staffers exhibit high energy, a positive attitude, and are passionate about the games of baseball and softball. We are responsive to our clients' needs and committed to helping each player achieve their baseball/softball objectives and goals.
Wayne Gomes, Owner
Trey Barham, Pitching Instructor
Jon Benick, Hitting & Catching Instructor
Keith Parr, Softball Hitting Instructor
Nicole Schaeffer,
Infield Hitting & Pitching Instructor
Dan Benick, Fielding & Hitting Instructor
Wayne Gomes
The Philadelphia Phillies recalled Wayne from the minor leagues on June 13, 1997. On this day, he was called in to pitch and did so with one inning of relief of Curt Shilling and recorded the win. He went on to pitch in the major leagues with the Phillies until 2001. For the duration of his 1999 season, he was voted as the Rolaids Relief Man of the team. In the 2001 season he was traded to the San Francisco Giants. During this year he played along side Barry Bonds in his record breaking homerun season. In 2002, he signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox. During this season he pitched as a set-up man help guild his team to a second place in the American League east, only one game behind the rival New York Yankees. In 2003, Wayne made a trip back to the minors with Scranton in the International League where he pitched in the IL All-Star game and led the league in saves. Following the 2003, he signed with the Oakland A's. Throughout the 2004 season with the Oakland A's affiliate, Gomes lead the team in ERA and appearance and help guide the team to its 2nd consecutive Pacific Coast League Championship. After completing his major league career, Wayne continued his playing career overseas. In 2005 he pitched for the Yucatan Leones and the Saltilo Gigiantes of the Mexican league.
Read the full bio of Wayne Gomes.
Trey Barham
A Greenbriar Christian Academy graduate in 2004 and 2004 VISBA Player of the Year, Trey Barham was drafted in this years, 2008, players draft in the 25th round by the Oakland Athletics. He began his professional career in the Northwest league as a starter for the Vancouver Canadians, Oakland's Short season-A affiliate. Barham had a touted college career as a four year starter atthe Virginia Military Institute. In his Keydet career, Barham is the school’s all-time leader with 22 wins and 291 strikeouts. He also ranks among the school’s top five in career ERA, innings pitched, starts and opponents’ batting average. In 2007, Barham was included on the Roger Clemens Award Watch List, and was named National Pitcher of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association.
Nicole Schaeffer
Nicole Schaeffer is currently a Special Education teacher in the Newport News School District. She has been involved in competitive softball since she was thirteen. Nicole competed with the ASA York Legends from 1994 – 1998. In high school, she lettered four years in softball and two years in basketball at York and Grafton High Schools. During her freshman year, York went to the state quarter-finals. During her sophomore year, she received All-District Honorable Mention for outfield and as a junior for third base. As a senior, she received All- District honors for third base in 1998 as well as making 2nd team on the Daily Press All-Stars. Nicole started her college softball career at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia where she played outfield for one year. She then red-shirted her sophomore year and transferred to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to play for the Lady Volunteers. She played outfield, and trained under Olympic hitting coach Ralph Weekly. She led the Lady Vols in fielding in the 2001 – 2002 season and is 4th all-time in the South Eastern Conference (SEC). Nicole has worked at numerous camps in both Virginia and Tennessee. She has also coached and medaled in traditional Shorin Ryu karate at the National level as a 2nd degree black belt.
Jon Benick
Jon Benick played baseball at Nanticoke High School in Northeaster Pennsylvania. He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 1997 Amatuer Draft but opted instead to play at Auburn University. After a year at Auburn, Jon transferred to the University of Virginia where he is in the top 3 for career home runs and RBIs. Also while at UVA he set a single season record for hits which was later broken by Ryan Zimmerman. In 2000 and 2001, Jon was selected for All-ACC honors. Jon was then drafted in the 9th round by the San Diego Padres. He played 5 years in the Minor Leagues. His best season came in 2004 where he was an All-South Atlantic League selection after hitting .328 with 104 RBIs and 32 home runs which led the SAL.
Keith Parr
Keith Parr is currently in his sixth season as the Head Coach of Christopher Newport University's softball program. He has compiled 150 career wins in just five seasons with an overall 150-62 record and a 54-21 mark in the tough USA South Conference. While with CNU softball he has been a part of 281 wins and numerous championships. Coach Parr is a two time Conference Coach of the Year and Virginia State Coach of the Year.
Offensively, his teams have finished as high as 5th and 6th in the nation out of 386 collegiate teams in batting. During his coaching tenure, Parr also helped develop CNU's only first and second team All-Americans. His teams are consistently one of the most feared in the batters box.
Coach Parr teaches all aspects of hitting while developing the proper mechanical and mental approaches. He is also the best around at teaching slap hitters and the short game. Step up to the plate and learn how to become that feared offensive threat.