Meet OUR INSTRUCTORS

Sam Polk is originally from Houston, Texas but played both infield and outfield at Saint Louis University and WashU throughout his college career. In 2023, SLU's offense was ranked 29th in the nation in runs per game. That season, their offense broke school records for runs and RBIs in a single season and ranked in the top 5 in school history for hits, home runs, total bases, and stolen bases.

Sam had the opportunity to play under some excellent baseball minds at Baylor, IMG Academy, and Concordia Lutheran High School, in addition to his time spent in St. Louis. Last summer, he slashed .345/.493/.491 in the New York Collegiate Summer Wood Bat League and later won a Northwoods League Championship with the Green Bay Rockers, where he hit .316.

As a switch hitter, he can relate to hitters of any hand dominance. Not only can he teach swing mechanics, such as optimizing the kinetic chain and bat path, but he has also studied the mental side of the game, which focuses on mindset and approach at the plate. Additionally, he can provide insight into the college recruiting process.

Sam loved playing the game of baseball with all his heart, and he’s excited to share that passion and knowledge with the future of the game. While Sam is well-rounded in baseball, he specializes in hitting and defense. Interested?

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Coach DaRond Stovall

DaRond Stovall has been around baseball at all levels for his entire life. He attended Althoff High School in Illinois where he was a standout baseball player and was drafted right out of high school by the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball organization. DaRond played at the professional baseball level for 13 seasons with numerous organizations at the A, AA, and AAA levels, and eventually making it to the major league level with the Montreal Expos in 1998. Following his success on the field, Coach DaRond now passes down what he has learned from a storied baseball career to aspiring young men as a High School coach and personal hitting instruction. Coach Stovall offers a world of experience to the young folks he mentors.

DaRond’s instructional approach:

  • Swing breakdown and mental preparation

  • Drills to do at home

  • Setting achievable goals

  • Quality work = Quality results

  • Trust the process

Interested in Private Coaching?

If you are interested in getting more information about private coaching at the Kirkham Fieldhouse, fill out the form below and