Mark Persails
In 1994, Mark Persails graduated from Millington High School in central Michigan. He was immediately drafted by the Detroit Tigers and began perfecting a 98 mph fastball. That determination and talent made Mark one of the top pitching prospects in the minor leagues with the Tigers and the Houston Astros.
As a professional player, Mark had an impressive list of accomplishments. He was named to three All-Star teams, won four championship rings, pitched a no-hitter, and was named #3 prospect in the Astros Organization in 2000.
After injuring his shoulder, Mark moved to Plant City, Florida. Plant City is a small community nestled between Tampa and Orlando. Mark realized that this was a great time to follow his dream of teaching youth baseball to local residents. In 2008 word has spread and Mark now fills his afternoons and weekends with kids looking to improve their skills.
Mark's goal is to teach as many young men as possible how to excel in baseball. Mark has aspirations to start a baseball facility named "Baseball Heaven" which aims to provide a higher level of competitive sports for area youths. Currently, "Baseball Heaven" now consists of seven teams started by Mark, the Angels Gold 18u, the Angels White 18u, the Angels Black 16u, the Angels Black 14u, the Miracles Navy Blue 12u, the Miracles Navy Blue 10u, the Miracles Carolina Blue 9u. The Angels teams and the Miracles team are based at Mike Sansone Baseball Park in Plant City.
Benny Castillo
Benny has 15 years of Professional Baseball experience. He has played for the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers. He was a Manager in Minor League for the Florida Marlins and the Detroit Tigers Organization.
Brooks Carey
A Florida native who graduated from Key West High School
in 1974. Went on to play his college baseball at Florida State
University from 1975-1978. Had a 5 year minor league career with the
Orioles and Reds organizations reaching the AAA-40 man roster level.
Has been the pitching coach for Hal Lanier the past 4 years with
Sussex Skyhawks of the Can-Am league and currently with th Normal
Cornbelters in the Frontier League.
Joe Bowles
Joe Bowles was born on July 15, 1952 in Lebanon, Indiana. As a child, he moved with his family to this area in Plant City and played baseball as an infielder for Plant City High School 1966-1970. After graduation, Bowles briefly played semi-pro baseball that summer before enrolling at the University of South Florida. Following his graduation from USF with a degree in Social Science Education, he was hired as a teacher and a varsity baseball coach at Gulf High School in New Port Richey from 1976 to 1977. Joe surrendered to full-time service in the ministry in 1978 as the Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Plant City where he pastors today. Joe received his Master's degree in Christian Education/ Administration from the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998.
Through the years Bowles has been active in his community serving on various boards (Florida State Board of Missions, Trustee of South Florida Baptist Hospital (26 Years), Hospice Task Force, Plant City Family YMCA, and others) Bowles received the USF Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award in 1997. Joe has coached 17 seasons of youth baseball and travel baseball. He started the Plant City Raiders Baseball Association in 2006. He has been an assistant JV baseball coach at Plant City High School and he is presently an assistant varsity coach at Plant City High School as well as a coach with the Baseball Heaven 16U Angels. He is also the sports writer for the Focus Magazine.
Ozzie Timmons
Ozzie Timmons was born on September 18, 1970 in Tampa, Florida. Following his senior year at Brandon High School, he was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 44th round. Despite this professional offer, Timmons accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Tampa. After a decorated collegiate career including two All-American awards, he was then selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 5th round (138th overall) of the 1991 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft. Timmons ascended quickly through the Minor Leagues and made his Major League debut April 26, 1995 with the Chicago Cubs.
For the next five years, he spent time in the Major Leagues with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays. Following his career in the United States, Timmons played professionally in Japan and Mexico. Presently, Ozzie Timmons is a hitting coach in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, a position he has held since 2007.
Alan Mills
(Alumni of KHS and KHS Hall of Famer) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees (1990-1991), Baltimore Orioles (1992-1998, 2000-2001) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1999-2000). He batted and threw right-handed. After a five year absence from professional baseball, Mills made a return in 2007 and played AA Minor League Baseball. In his 12-Big League seasons career, Mills posted a 39-32 record with 456 strikeouts and a 4.12 ERA in 474 games.
In 2008, Mills served as pitching coach for the Oneonta Tigers, the Class-A short-season affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Alan is now the Head Coach of Kathleen High School in Lakeland.
Steve Dovale
Graduated from Danbury High School in Connecticut in 1974 with 4 years of Varsity Baseball and attended Western Connecticut State College where he played baseball before he signed with the New York Mets in 1975. Steve played until he injured himself ending his playing career and the beginning of his coaching career began in Baseball, Basketball and Softball at the High School level at Plant City High School, Armwood High School and McKeel Academy.
Sheldon Fulse - 18u Angels Gold
Born on November 10th, 1981 in Bartow, Florida. Sheldon played for George Jenkins High School and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 3rd round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur Draft and then traded to Boston Red Sox in 2003
Nathan Striz
Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. Attended Santa Fe Catholic High School 2004-2007. During this time Nate was a Florida 2A player of the year 2006, 2007. Nate made the Florida All-State team and Polk County All-County team 2005-2007. Polk County Player of the Year 2007. After graduating from high school, Nate attended the University of North Carolina 2008-2010. Nate wasdrafted 2007 by the Minn Twins and 2010 by the Cleveland Indians. In the summer of 2011 Nate played for two Cleveland Indians minor league teams, the Lake County Captains and the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
AJ Szatkowski
Born on Feb 27, 1989 in South Amboy, NJ. Attended Christian Brothers Academy High School in Lincroft NJ. AJ Graduated College in 2011 from Florida Southern College. AJ was a four year catcher for the FCS Mocs, most known for his defensive abilities; he has never recorded an error. Graduated with degrees in Human Movement and Performance and Athletic Trainer, he has interned with the Detroit Tigers Minor League program in Lakeland and the University of Tennessee’s Football team.