Our Program Staff
PROGRAM DIRECTOR - JOHN LUTZ
Coach John Lutz and his wife, Nicole, took the helm of the Milwaukee Angels Youth Baseball Program (a nonprofit 501c3 organization under the Wisconsin Youth Sports Association) in Fall of 2012. Together, the Lutz Family, were eager to build upon a long legacy of success the Milwaukee Angels established since 1994.
As they go into their 11th year, there is a lot to be proud of as our teams continue to compete at the highest level in Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The organization also continues to grow and expand with a new competitive High School Program, the launch of a Girls Fastpitch Program and a new facility, The Halo, located in Muskego, WI.
For as long as Coach Lutz can remember, the Lutz brothers and their father, Bill Lutz (Senior) have lived and breathed baseball. Drafted right out of Milwaukee Thomas More High School in 1983 by the Kansas City Royals. After 3 years at the professional level, Coach Lutz returned home to Milwaukee, WI. Coach Lutz continued to play locally and played for Milwaukee Wolf’s Cleaner’s and Lannon Stoneman for over 15 years. He was one of the top hitters in the Langsdorf and with Land Of Lakes Western Division powerhouse Lannon Stoneman. Coach Lutz could play virtually anywhere on the field. During Lutz’s days on Wolf’s Cleaners, the team captured 13 Langsdorf League championships along with Western Division titles and grand championships with Lannon.
In 2009, Coach Lutz was inducted to the Old Time Ball Players Association Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside his father and some of the best baseball players, coaches and pioneers of America’s Pastime from the Badger State. Following his playing career, Coach Lutz, turned his passion into developing and coaching Milwaukee’s youth full time. He has been fortunate to coach so many players but most meaningful, his son, Jack, who continues to share the same love and passion for the great sport of baseball.
The Lutz Family is humbled and grateful for all the support they have received over the years.
#LutzPlayBall
SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR - Collin Yelich
Collin Yelich is a Westlake Village local who started on varsity for four years at Westlake High School in California. After graduation he attended Sam Houston State University where he played D1 baseball. Yelich was then drafted by the Atlanta Braves after his Jr year and played for their league organization before signing with the Miami Marlins. Collin is the brother of the NL MVP and All-Star Christian Yelich. He specializes in hitting and catching.
Collin’s focus on lessons whether they are Catching/Hitting is teaching the position with correct form and technique with current drills and information that are being taught at the professional level. Adapting to each individual and making them understand why they are doing certain things and what certain changes will do as each individual is able to do certain things that work for them and building off of those foundations so help them perform at their highest ability.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR - Bob LUTZ
Coach Bob Lutz begins his second year instructing with the Angels Organization. He has numerous years of coaching youth baseball, high school and college, as well as playing locally and collegiately.
Bob coached numerous youth baseball teams; Greenfield Little League, Martin Luther Jr Spartans, and Gators Select Baseball.
He started coaching high school baseball as an assistant coach at Pius XI High School from 1983-1985. From 1986-1988 he was head coach at Dominican High School. In his three years at Dominican, they were the Metro Conference co-champs in 1987 and the WISSA State Tournament runner-up. His teams twice advanced to the WISAA State Baseball tournament in Stevens Point. He also coached the Wisconsin Coaches Association East All-Star Team 1987 and the East team won the tournament.
Lutz played high school baseball at Thomas More and played college ball at UW Parkside. At Parkside, he earned four letters and was an All-Conference pick in 1978 and 1980 and was named to the NAIA district 14 All-State team in 1980. He also played/managed in the Land O Lakes and Langsdorf leagues; winning 13 Langsdorf league championships, 3 Land O Lakes Grand championships and 3 state NBC championships.
Bob was the infield coach at UW-Milwaukee from 1991-1993 in their inaugural NCAA Division 1 seasons. He was also infield coach at Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1994-1995. He was a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Milwaukee area for 8 years.
Bob is currently Vice President of the Old Time Ball Players Association (OTBA). In 2016, he was named to the Old Time Ballplayers Association of Wisconsin Hall of Fame, alongside his father Bill and brother John. OTBA promotes baseball and recognizes outstanding baseball players from the state of Wisconsin.
Special instructor - ryne hicks
Originally from Bakersfield, CA, Coach Ryne Hicks joins us for his second year with the program. Hicks was a high school baseball player at Centennial High School, and then later joined the United State Arms in 2003, where he served six years. When his time in the Army was complete, Ryne moved to Sierra Vista, Arizona where he started the Cochise Baseball Club, a non-profit baseball organization. Ryne started CBC with the 12U Prime team, and in their first year playing competitive baseball, they finished Top 5 in the final USSSA Baseball rankings. Coach Hicks led this group in ending a 17-year drought for Sierra Vista teams by winning the Arizona District 8 tournament. Since its first year in 2018, the CBC has added six teams to the program. With Coach Hicks' recent relocation to Milwaukee, we're excited to have him join our organization.
