As HitStreak’s Youth Baseball Director, B.J. Kingsbaker brings a level of experience, passion, and proven success to youth player development that few coaches in Colorado can match. Originally from Aurora and currently the Rock Canyon High School Head Softball Coach, B.J. has spent more than 25 years shaping young baseball and softball athletes — not just in skill, but in mindset and character.

From leading championship varsity programs, to developing mental performance training for youth players, to coaching at the state-championship level in softball, he has dedicated his career to building athletes who compete confidently, grow intentionally, and love the game. As the newest leader in HitStreak’s youth division, B.J. brings unmatched expertise, a proven coaching philosophy, and a track record of elevating every program he touches.

We are proud to call B.J. part of the HitStreak team and you can learn more about him below…

What inspired you to become a baseball/softball coach?
I have always had to outwork people to be successful in this game. I had to learn to do what came easy to others. I love teaching those techniques as as well as that work ethic to young athletes.

How long have you been coaching, and how did you get your start?
30 years this summer. The summer after high school my head coach asked me to stay in the program and coach the Legion C team (Freshman/JV team) for the summer. Two weeks later he took a Junior College job and asked me to take over the varsity team. A month after that he asked me to come play college baseball for him.

What do you love most about coaching at HitStreak?
Every person I have encountered at HitStreak has blue collar/work man like mentality. No one is talking about their playing careers, they all just talk about doing the work. The owner last week told me he spent the entire weekend building a batting cage by himself. You don’t see that other places.

What’s your coaching philosophy or approach to helping athletes improve?
Coach them where they are not where you want them to be. Every age group and every player has very unique challenges to mastering skills. We can’t train them all the same. Their minds and bodies are all at different places so facilities that take their high school training program and pass it on are doing a young athletes a huge disservice.

What’s one piece of advice you give your players most often?
You can’t expect results from the work you never do. You can control your attitude, energy and effort. You can’t control a coaches decision, an umpire or the players around you but you are always in control of the work you put in.

What moment in your coaching career are you most proud of?
There are many. I’ve won a lot of games in a lot of places but nothing makes me as proud as a player coming back later and saying thanks for the impact I made on them. Those moments stick with you.

What’s the biggest lesson baseball has taught you?
Baseball is a series of next pitch/next AB/next play. I think baseball has taught me how to focus on the present and not dwell in the past.

If you weren’t coaching, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
Watching my kids play sports. It’s extremely hard being on the other side of the fence but I’ve become a better coach by watching my kids be coached by others.

How has the game (or how you coach it) changed over the years?
I think the biggest changes are that athletes are bigger and technology is better, therefore coaches become reliant on power and less on manufacturing pressure in a defense. From a coaching standpoint the game has become so specialized that Head coaches have to learn to adapt to players having their own hitting/pitching/strength coach. You have to take your ego out of it and allow kids to be able to learn from others.

What’s one skill you think separates good players from great ones?
Being able to slow the game down mentally when the game speeds up. You find out who the great ones are when the pressure is the highest.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at the field or at HitStreak?
Watching my kids do the things they love.

Is there a coach in your life who has had an impact on you?
So many. Steve Eaton was a high school coach of mine. Mike Letofsky, Scott Henry, Dan Sanchez were head coaches that I coached under. I’ve been a sponge of watching great coaches my entire life. Watching a team that is complete alignment with a coaches philosophy is one of the most impressive things you’ll ever see.

Favorite sports team?
Any Colorado team

Favorite player growing up (or now)?
Todd Helton

Best ballpark food?
Nachos

Favorite Denver-area restaurant?
Lil Ricci’s

Favorite Colorado getaway?
Coors Field

Best concert you’ve ever attended?
Garth Brooks

Favorite baseball/softball movie?
For Love of the Game

What kind of impact do you hope to make on your athletes, both on and off the field?
I want them to love practice as much as the game