Meet the Coach & Manager

Hi.

I am Coach Greg Salvino. I am NOT a dad ;-). I’m a former kid baseball player who played shortstop through high school, but I’ve stayed a lifelong student of the game. However, my profession is effectively coaching, I practically have a doctorate in that - coaching is my calling. I’m truly passionate about teaching and inspiring, and I'm not passionate about things I’m not good at.

Growing up in Chicago, I remember wanting to teach and coach kids, keeping them on the “straight and narrow” through sports and charity work. I wanted to join the Peace Corps, bring supplies and offer free soccer clinics in Africa. I went to school to be a teacher. And now, my vision is coming full circle through youth baseball.

I have been coaching youth baseball for the last half-decade as an Assistant Coach and Coach for Irvine Pony. I've coached rec, from t-ball to Mustang and 9U Select. Over the last four years, I helped develop a championship 9U team in the Irvine Select League. I’ve had the privilege of working with some awesome coaches who have played at a high level (D1 college, Minor and Major League) and have learned a ton from them. 

But here’s the thing:

Playing experience is great, but teaching experience? That’s where the magic happens.

Experience and knowledge are critical, but it’s equally important to be able to relay and teach that knowledge, especially to young kids in a way they will listen, can understand, and want to implement.  I can make a learning plan with the best of them, and my knowledge of the game and fundamentals is advanced. I have a playbook with over 30 signs, secret verbal plays, trick plays - all strategies used at the college and pro-ball level, including double cuts, back picks, and timing pickoff moves.

My secret sauce? I break the game down in ways that kids understand. I know how to tailor instruction to every swing, every stance, every kid — because no two players are the same. Some need a nudge. Some need a plan. Some just need a high-five and a reset.

I’m not a yeller, I don’t instill fear in my players.

I’m all about fun, handshakes, smiles, positivity, letting kids celebrate, and being cool. 

But I am striving for greatness.

My expectations of the controllables will be high.

There will be structure. There will be discipline.

My motivation is to inspire character, confidence, and resilience through hard work and quality reps.

To the families in my program, I commit to my players, I will not leave the practice until the last family leaves. 

Want to stay an extra hour to hit? Let’s do it.
Want to talk baseball in the parking lot until the lights go out? I’m all ears.

I have so much to give. I’ve proven I can improve kids.   

What I’m looking for: 

Committed families.

Hard-working kids.

And the desire to be great.

Not the ones who are already the best — but the ones who want to be.

Let’s work hard. Improve every day. Play at a higher level season-over-season. Prepare our players for high school baseball at the minimum.  Maybe college. Maybe “The Show” - dreams are welcome here.

I encourage parents to ask me questions. Hold me accountable. I want you to understand WHY I do certain things the way I do. Understanding the WHY builds trust. Because just like baseball, coaching is a process. Trust the process.

And if you stick with it… The results will come.

See you on the field,

Coach Greg.