Meet our All-Star Line Up of Professional Baseball Instructors

Rick DeHart  - Pitching Instruction

Coach DeHart played professionally for the Montreal Expos and Kansas City Royals from 1997-2003. Rick’s career began in 1992 which spanned sixteen minor league seasons and includes professional playing experience abroad in Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Japan.  Coach DeHart played for the Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League in 2006; which included time as a player/pitching coach. Most recently, DeHart was most recently the pitching coach for the Kansas City T-Bones in the Independent League.  While in Kansas City, DeHart’s team won the Northern League Championship.  Rick is available for private and group pitching instruction.

Trevor Huisinga - Hitting & Fielding Instruction

Coach Huisinga developed an outstanding reputation as a quality outfielder and hitter in his days at Bartlett High School.  After earning All-Conference, All-Area and All-State honors in 2001 and 2002, he continued his playing career as a four-year starter at the University of Illinois and was a key member of the 2005 Big Ten Championship team.  Trevor earned Team MVP honors on an international team that toured in Australia. 

Chris Wilmot - Hitting & Catching Instruction

Coach Wilmot is a 2000 graduate of Conant High School in Hoffman Estates. He was a catcher, outfielder, and 1st baseman for the Cougars during his varsity years. Chris was a member of the 1999 MSL Champion team that also set the school record for wins in a season and was awarded the Unsung Hero Award for the 99’ season.  Chris holds a degree in Fire Science Technology and is currently a Lombard Firefighter/Paramedic. While in college, Chris played semi-professional baseball with the Chicago Lugnuts for two seasons.  In 2005, he was asked to attend an open tryout as a catcher with the Schaumburg Flyers.  Coach Wilmot spent two seasons with the Flyers including their playoff run in 2006. While catching in the Northern League, Chris worked with various levels of pitchers from former major leaguers, AA/AAA level pitchers and players right out of college.  Coach Wilmot is an experienced hitting and catching instructor for both baseball and softball of all levels and is available for private and group instruction.

Chris Pemberton - Hitting & Fielding Instruction

Chris Pemberton, the current head baseball coach at Bartlett High School, has been instructing players for over a decade at the high school level.  A member of the Bartlett staff for 10 years, Coach Pemberton took over the program in 2008-2009 and in his inaugural season at the helm led the Hawks to their first Regional Championship appearance since 2002.

Coach Pemberton played his high school ball at Prospect High School and then went on to play at Illinois Wesleyan University.  Coach Pemberton brings experience from several levels of baseball and has worked with players of all ages.  He has been instrumental in establishing camps and training programs for younger players who are not involved in high school baseball yet, but hope to play at that level. 

Justin Oprins - Hitting & Catching Instruction

Coach Oprins was a 4-year varsity starter at 3rd Base and Catcher for Sycamore High School.  He earned All-Conference Honors (2005-2006), Defensive Player of the Year his junior year, Most Valuable Player his senior year and Team Captian (2005-2006). Justin continued his playing career at Waubonsee Valley Community College where he was a two year starter at 3rd Base and Catcher.  While at Waubonsee, Justin earned All Regional Team Honors, Skyway Conference 2nd Team All-Conference Honors, Skyway Conference All-Acedemic Team Honors and was Team Captain in 2008.  After Waubonsee, Justin transferred to Bethel College in South Bend, Indiana where he started two years and was Team Captain 2010.

Eric Sansouci - Hitting & Fielding Instruction

Coach Sansouci is originally from St. Louis, Mo. where he was a 3-year Varsity starter and a 2-time All-Conference selection for Hazelwood West High School.  As a senior, Eric was selected by USA Baseball to compete in the 2001 Jr. Olympic Tournament of Stars. After high school, he moved on to play for St. Louis Community College where he earned All-Conference/All-Region honors and led the Highlanders to a #1 NJCAA ranking.  He continued his college career at Northern Illinois University where he was a 2-year starter, an All-Conference Tournament selection and NIU's Defensive Player of the Year.  Coach Sansouci played professionally for the Gateway Grizzlies minor league baseball club in the Frontier League.  He is an experienced instructor specializing in hitting and fielding for all ages and youth pitching instruction.

Please Note:  Lessons booked with The Hitting Zone are not guaranteed with a specific instructor.  We will make every effort possible to provide consistency, but are not obligated to due to fact the instructors are independent contractors and not employees of The Hitting Zone.  No refunds will be granted for any unused portions of a lesson package.