Meet Our Baseball Coaches
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
At the heart of our success are the dedicated coaches who inspire, guide, and challenge our athletes to be their best—both on and off the field. With years of experience, a passion for teaching, and a commitment to personal growth, our coaching team brings unmatched expertise and enthusiasm to every session. Get to know the people who make it all possible and learn what drives their passion for coaching.
8U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Aaron Dorgan
Aaron Dorgan brings a lifelong passion for baseball and youth development to the B.A.R.C. 8U Travel Baseball team. A former collegiate pitcher, Aaron began his college career at Kellogg Community College and went on to finish at Saginaw Valley State University. His deep knowledge of the game and competitive experience provide a strong foundation for teaching young athletes the fundamentals and love of baseball.
Aaron has coached numerous youth teams for his son Beckett over the years, including recreational baseball and flag football. His dedication to coaching goes far beyond the field—his love for kids and the game exudes in everything he does. With a focus on skill development, sportsmanship, and having fun, Coach Aaron is committed to building a positive and inspiring team environment for every player.
10U Baseball- 25/26 Season
Coach Nick Foote
I have played baseball or softball every year for the last 35+ years, including this year! I am a four-year varsity starter at both pitcher and first base.
I have been an assistant or head coach on several teams, including American Legion and Ferndale J.V. Baseball.
I believe every kid should know how to lose before they can win, and I expect all of my players to play the game with humility and courage. We should never be afraid of what might happen, but instead understand what we can do to fix it. Once we accomplish humility and courage, the rest is fundamentals.
12U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Nate Edwards
Baseball has always been close to my heart, whether it was playing sandlot type games when I was a child to competing for championships in high school. My coaching experience began in 2021 in the South Lyon Junior League and has grown into becoming the head coach of the 2023/24 Brighton Bulldogs 10U and now the 2024/25 Brighton Bulldogs 11U. I have always had a passion for growing the game of baseball the right way, allowing our children to learn the in / outs of the game while having fun doing so. Our culture is based on a few key areas and how we go about controlling them: (1) our attitude; (2) our effort; (3) our focus; and (4) how we treat our teammates and others. Our atmosphere is positive and fun, while continuing to help our players grow into hard working and respectful young men.
My oldest son really got me into baseball nearly 11 years ago. Sure, I played as a kid and have always had a love for the game, but it was coaching 7u Selcra baseball and spending nearly every day on the ballfield with him that really got me hooked. Since then I have coached 9,10,11,12u with both Brighton Travel and Total Sports, until my son outgrew our travel team and moved onto the Hit dogs organization and BHS.
This last year my youngest got bit by the baseball bug as well. After seeing so many boys at tryouts with no team to go to we decided to start Brighton Orange 10u. We are a scrappy group with the core belief that with enough effort, determination and support we can build a competitive team, mentally tough young men and a million worthwhile memories.
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13U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Carl Rispoli
I grew up playing the game of baseball and have been an avid fan of major league baseball for 35 years. My oldest son started travel baseball 4 years ago at the 9u level. I began my coaching career 3 years ago with the Brighton Orange 10U team. I've also coached my younger son's community team at the 8U level. I have a passion for teaching the kids about both the physical and mental side of the game and love to watch them develop their skills and confidence over time.
9U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach John Binko
I grew up in Swartz Creek, MI where I played all sports growing up and
through high school. I was a 4-year varsity baseball player and all regional my junior
and senior year. I went to SVSU to play baseball where I played 2 nd and CF hitting .321
before leaving to join the Army. I retired from the Army in 2020.
I have coached baseball and softball for the past 10 years at all age levels. I have been
a hitting instructor for the past 6 years and have helped many kids realize their dreams
of playing at the next level in college.
I believe that this game more than any other teaches valuable life lessons and I create
an environment where kids can grow and be successful. My teams focus not only on
being best athlete we can be, but how we can help our community, be a better student,
and person.
10U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Jesse Christner
One of my biggest passions in life has always been baseball. I started playing as a young kid who grew up in Brighton and played 3 seasons of varsity baseball for the Bulldogs before moving on to play college baseball for 2 years at Muskegon Community College. I became a teacher and assistant coach for the Brighton High School varsity baseball program for 9 seasons, but now I have the pleasure to coach my son and his teammates for the Brighton Travel Baseball team.
11U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Ryan Neuland
I’ve loved baseball since I was five years old, playing through high school and then at the collegiate level with the club team at Western Michigan University. I started coaching the 8U Brighton Bulldogs in 2023 and have enjoyed every second since. Our coaches focus on the intangibles - positive attitudes, maximum effort, and playing the game the right way - with passion and joy. My coaching philosophy is centered on helping our boys grow into strong young men, while also developing as athletes and baseball players. What I enjoy most is watching them grow their love for the game, play for each other, and see their hard work lead to confidence and positive results both on and off the field.
13U Baseball - 25/26 Season
Coach Pat McGoun
Pat McGoun brings a wealth of experience, energy, and a true passion for developing young athletes to the 13U Brighton Black team. A former collegiate baseball player at John Carroll University, Pat understands the mindset and work ethic required to succeed at higher levels of competition. Over the past five years, he has served as a baseball coach and has worked closely with youth players to refine their fundamentals and build baseball IQ. In addition to baseball, Pat has also coached youth football, adding a well-rounded approach to athlete development and team leadership.
As a head coach, Pat’s philosophy centers on long-term player growth—both on and off the field. He focuses on teaching the “why” behind the game, helping players develop a deeper understanding of strategy, situational play, and preparation. His goal is to prepare every player in the program not just to compete—but to lead—when their opportunity comes.
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