Youth Baseball Program

Youth Baseball Program

By reaching out to America’s schools and under the well-established DEA Educational Foundation, we will inspire youth with healthy and drug-free messages, and encourage them to exercise and to focus on positive programming through the Foundation’s newest endeavor, the Youth Baseball Program (YBP).

The YBP will provide opportunities for children and teens to serve as role models to their peers, and to participate with other youth as they explore with strong mentors areas of peer-pressure, self-esteem building, and decision-making.

Program Staff

Rick Zeitlin

National Director

Rick Zeitlin started playing baseball at the age of 4. Since then, he has played throughout his life including varsity and college baseball. Rick started Players Edge Baseball School in 2008 serving the greater Los Angeles area giving over 25,000 instructional lessons. Rick has created and developed the curriculum for the DEA Educational Foundation’s Strike Out Drugs Program and will serve as the Coach for the Los Angeles area. Teaching and instructing baseball to youth has always been a part of Rick’s life.

Alex Jurczynski

Regional Manager

Alex Jurczynski was a catcher at Mohawk Valley Community College for 2 years before transferring to Oswego State where he was awarded All-Conference accolades his junior year. Upon graduation, Alex coached at Oswego for a season. Additionally, Alex just completed his second year as an Assistant Coach at Princeton. Alex will serve as the Coach for the Newark and Philadelphia areas.

Karl Blum

Coach

Karl Blum was a pitcher at Duke University. He graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a degree in Sociology and was named in the ACC Academic Honor Roll. Karl was a 4-year varsity baseball player at Toms River North High School in New Jersey as one of their top performing pitchers. In 2016 and 2017, Karl played in the Atlantic College Baseball League for 2 consecutive summers. Karl will serve as one of the Coaches for the New York area.

Evan Feldman

Coach

Evan was a 3 year varsity baseball player at University High School in Los Angeles where he was First Team All League awards as a pitcher and a right fielder. Coach Feldman continued his education at The University of Oregon in Eugene studying business. Evan has been involved in baseball at The University of Oregon by playing on the Alternate team as the starting DH/ Right fielder. Evan will serve as a coach for the southern region in schools across Georgia.

Raymond O’Brian

Coach

Raymond O’Brian played 1st base at Long Island City High School and graduated in 2017. Raymond is a former student at PS234-Q where he will serve as the Coach for the Queens area. Raymond is an avid New York Yankee fan and also works at Madison Square Garden during various community events.

Lisa Zeitlin

Coach

Lisa was a starting freshman and 4-year varsity softball player at Calabasas High School making First-Team All-Marmonte her senior year. Lisa also earned The Kyle Rudow Memorial Athlete of the Year Award (2009), representing the top female athlete. Lisa was recruited by Santa Barbara City College where she played and started as an infielder/utility player. Lisa transferred to and graduated from San Diego State University with her BA in Communication where she achieved Dean's List, member of Lamda Pi Eta Honors Society, and found her love of helping others. Lisa continued her education at the graduate level where she obtained her Masters in Public Health (MPH) and Social Work (MSW), served as President of Phi Alpha Honor Society and was published in the Journal of Teaching in Social Work. Lisa serves as a coach in the Los Angeles region.

Peter Harbolick

Program Associate, Baseball Operations Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy

Pete Harbolick, known on the field as “Coach Pete”, found his love for baseball at age five. Having gone a long way from picking dandelions in the outfield through various levels of play, he has found his passion in coaching. Passing along the game through coaching has taught him so much and is the highlight of his work. Pete gets his motivation from watching the players love for the game develop. Coach Pete has been a utility player developing a wide knowledge of every position, though you will always see him sprinting out to shortstop. Being a utility player and learning from many coaches over his life has taught Coach Pete the tools to connect to his players and coach all around the field. His belief of coaching through positivity and having a no-negativity rule is his philosophy in navigating baseball. His biggest piece of advice: “Every day of baseball is a day you can’t get back. Get out there as much as you can and give it your all. Anyone can make it to the Big Leagues; a coach can guide you, but it is up to you and how bad you want it.”