COACHES
Guiding the game with passion and expertise.
Meet Your Kage Coaches
Softball/Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Baseball Coach
Brittani Bezanson
Currently Brittani is a full-time Manager/Coach at The Kage and plays Ladies "A" Super Series Slo- Pitch. She has over 25 years of playing, and 10 years of coaching experience.
Brittani’s many years in the Provincial Women's Softball Association - Premier League, led to multiple scholarships, including; 2 Years in the NJCAA playing Divison I in South Carolina, and 3 Years in the NCAA Divison II in Tennessee. In 2019 she was the Queen of Diamonds and Barrie Bash medalist.
Brittani’s coaching experience includes:
Coaching in the NCAA through school hosted programs.
2009 Fastball Instructor/Camp Leader at The Canadian Baseball Academy.
2018 - 2019 Strength and Conditioning Coach and Assistant Coach for the 15U Barrie Storm Fastball Team.
2018 - 2020 Head Softball Coach for Baseball Central
2020 - 2021 Head Coach of the 11U Central Ontario Reds
Brittani specializes in anything Fastball, and Slo- Pitch with expertise in hitting, pitching and catching. As well as training fastball players to advance to the next stage of their careers, whether it be making the local Rep team, trying to walk- on to a College Team or earning a Scholarship to the NCAA.
Dan Hodgins
Dan is both a full time coach at The Kage and teacher with over 26 years of baseball coaching experience.
Dan has had extensive experience leading his teams to success as a head coach which includes; 3x Ontario Baseball Association Champions (2014, 2015, 2016); Ontario Baseball Association Finalists (2018); 6x York Simcoe Baseball Association Champions (2014 - 2019); Canadian National Exhibition Pegg Cup Champions (2015).
Under his coaching, players received the Barrie Minor Baseball Rep Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year (2015).
His dedication to coaching is evident through his ongoing pursuit of coaching education, which includes:
Baseball Canada – Provincial Coach Certification (13u, 15u, 16u+ certified)
Baseball Canada Certification – Hitting Instructor, Pitching and Catching Instructor, Infielding Instructor, Outfielding Instructor, Baserunning Instructor
Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Academy National Coaching Clinic
Baseball Ontario Best Ever Clinic
Safe Sport
Respect in Sport
Barrie Minor Baseball Association Player Development Clinic (2016, 2017)
Dan’s commitment to the game has twice earned him the Barrie Minor Baseball Rep Coach of the Year (2014, 2015) as well as the Barrie Minor Baseball Rep Team of the Year (2015, 2018).
Dave Maxamenko
Dave is a full time coach at The Kage, and the architect of our Max Velocity Pitching program, which saw 70 players gain an average of 7 mph off of the mound in 2022-23.
Dave’s coaching achievements include being named the BMBA Coach of the Year (2016 & 2018) and the YSBA Coach of the Year (2016). In 2014 Dave received accolades for coaching the BMBA Team of the Year, YSBA Team of the Year and the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) Team of the Year.
Dave’s coaching record and accomplishments include:
Head Coach – Barrie Minor Baseball - 10 years
Ontario All-Star Team Head Coach
Ontario Summer Games YSBA Team Head Coach
Lead Barrie 13U to Canadian National Championships
6 x YSBA Team Championships
Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Championships 12U AA, 2014
Ontario Baseball Association Provincial Finalist 16U AAA, 2019
His passion for the game and for the success of his rostered players has resulted in players awards such as: BMBA Pitcher of the Year 2016 & 2018; BMBA Player of the Year 2019; YSBA Pitcher of the Year 2016; YSBA Player of the Year 2019.
Marcus Pronay
Marcus specializes in hitting, infield/outfield defense, and overall player development. In addition to his expertise on the field, he is a certified nutritionist and a strength and conditioning coach, offering a well-rounded approach to player growth.
Growing up, Marcus immersed himself in various sports, but it was always baseball that came out on top. His journey began in Canada, where he steadily climbed the ranks until he secured a college baseball scholarship in Iowa. Having firsthand experience of the trials and triumphs of the college baseball experience, Marcus brings a unique perspective to his coaching approach.
Marcus played 1 1/2 years at his Juco before the unforeseen challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to return home. Yet, his unwavering love for the game led him to embark on a new journey in the world of coaching.
In the past year, Marcus spearheaded the Team Ontario Astros' strength program and served as a coach for the 14u Bignall team. he will be returning for the 2023 season after having a very successful year.
Marcus's extensive playing experience directly informs his coaching style, making him a valuable asset in the development of aspiring baseball players. His commitment to helping athletes reach their full potential is a driving force in his coaching career.
Kyle Pitman
Kyle is a part-time coach at the Kage and a full-time teacher. He has played and coached in numerous capacities over his 35 years in the game.
Kyle’s playing career includes multiple titles at the high school, provincial, and elite levels and he has played for high level and elite baseball teams across the province. Additionally, Kyle played for the La Trobe Eagles in Australia.
Kyle’s coaching experience and achievements include:
YSBA Title with the Markham Mariners
2nd place provincial finish with the Burlington Bulls in 2011
2011 OSBA (Ontario Senior Baseball Association) Coach of the Year
The Baseball Zone, in Mississauga, Ontario, where he led clinics and camps in Hitting and Pitching, coached in the High Performance Program featuring players from the Ontario Terriers, and provided instruction in 1 on 1 lessons with players ranging in age from 11 to 18.
Winter Training with the Barrie Baycats 12U AAA Baycats
At the Kage, Kyle leads a variety of programs and does both 1 on 1 and team instruction. He has a passion for the improvement of players on both sides of the ball. His experience playing with and coaching players that have carved out professional careers at both the Minor League and Major League levels have given him insight into how players can develop the confidence and work ethic to make it to the next level.
Murray Roach
Murray, an educator by training, has recently joined The Kage as a part-time instructor.
Born and raised in Saskatchewan, prioritized the pursuit of elite baseball and accepted a full-ride scholarship to pitch at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. Following an arm injury, he returned to Saskatoon to become a playing manager in one of the top Senior A circuits in the province. During that time, he played all positions except pitcher and catcher.
Murray’s playing and coaching career include:
Participating in 19 Saskatchewan Provincial Championships as a player and/or coach, winning several.
Representing the province of Saskatchewan 8 times at the inter-provincial and national levels, medalling all but once.
Induction into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame.
Working 8 years part-time as a recommending scout for the MLB Cincinnati Reds.
Coaching 2 consecutive Ontario provincial champion teams in Girls U 10 fastball.
Coaching for several Special Olympics Barrie programs over the past 16 years, becoming an instrumental figure in training multiple provincial, national and world champions.
Murray is a passionate, lifelong coach well-versed in all aspects of the game for both pitchers and position players. His philosophy has been consistent throughout the years regardless of who’s under his mentorship: if an athlete is having fun and continuing to improve every year, their love of sport will grow as they reach their full potential.
Christopher Johannesson
Christopher is a dedicated coach at the Kage who is currently pursuing his post-secondary education. With a keen focus on pitching, he brings a wealth of experience in coaching various age groups.
During his time at SUNY Jefferson, Christopher served as a closer in the NJCAA, helping them in their journey to a Final Four appearance. Upon returning home, he continued his academic journey at the University of Toronto and was a part of the 2017 Championship-winning team.
As a pitching instructor, Christopher's influence extends to several programs and organizations, including:
Innisfil Cardinals Youth Camps
St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School Baseball Team
Ontario Athletics Elite Program
SUNY Jefferson Winter and Summer Camps
Looking ahead, Christopher is committed to advancing his coaching expertise with a strong emphasis on biomechanics and movement efficiency. His approach is firmly rooted in science, ensuring that he continues to make significant contributions to the development of aspiring baseball players.