BLUE WAVE 13U & 14U TEAMS

Blue Wave is based in Irvine, CA and delivers a complete high school development program for 7th and 8th graders that want to take their game to the next level with the goal of making your high school team and excelling when you get there.

Our 13U & 14U teams practice on 60×90 fields exclusively with high school coaches twice weekly (additional practice sessions offered) and typically play two tournaments each month, including two top showcase events this Fall – Perfect Game Thanksgiving Invitational and Prospect Wire Christmas Classic.

This spring the teams also play in MLB Spring Training tournaments in Arizona. The team will also play scrimmage games along the way to make sure players get game reps on a regular basis.

Blue Wave 13U-14U High School Development program is directed by Aron Garcia, one of Orange County’s top youth coaches and longtime assistant varsity baseball coach at Northwood High School.

Coach Russ Martinez will be the skipper for the Blue Wave 14U team for tournaments and games. Martinez is also an assistant coach at Northwood High School and was previously assistant varsity coach at Tustin high school.

PLAYER FEES

In September, players pay $30 for each fielding practice they attend and $25 for each hitting session. These fees are paid prior to attending.

In October, our Blue Wave 13U and 14U teams play monthly fees that will range from $200 to $250 per month based on number of practice sessions, number of coaches, field rental, and operational costs. Blue Wave Athletics is a true non-profit and operates on a break-even and calendar basis.

Team players also pay game fees for either tournament or scrimmage game and fee is based on cost and posted prior to scheduling. Tournament/Game fees cover field cost, tournament entry fee, umpire fees, coaching fees, etc.

TRYOUT PROCESS

All new players must REGISTER online to schedule a tryout or attend an open tryout, practice, or game with Blue Wave. There is no cost to register.

Typically, new players will attend both a fielding and hitting practice session at no cost.

Once the player has completed both tryouts, Coach Martinez or Coach Garcia will offer the player a roster spot on his team or pass on the player.

PRACTICE-ONLY OPTIONS

Blue Wave also offers “Practice Only” options for players who do not want to play with our teams but want to practice, either fielding or hitting sessions. Practice Only slots are limited.

FEATURES

  • Based in Irvine, CA.
  • Practice Two to Three Times Each Week
  • Play Tournaments Every Other Week
  • For 7th or 8th Graders
  • Focused on player development
  • Prepare For High School Baseball with High School Coaches
  • Top Coaches With High School, College, and MLB experience

Contact Steve Kruse (949) 202-7748 or to arrange a tryout.

ABOUT BLUE WAVE

Established in 1996, Blue Wave is one of the oldest and most respected “non-profit” club baseball organizations in Orange County. Blue Wave teams have played 10,00+ games, won 150+ tournaments, 13 national championships, and been nationally ranked on multiple occasions.

More than 450 Blue Wave alumni have played or are playing collegiate baseball at some of the top programs in the country, including UCI, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Cal State University Fullerton, Stanford, PENN, Gonzaga, USF, University of Miami, Pepperdine, Long Beach State, Fresno State, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas, Sacramento State, UCSB, Santa Clara, Clemson and more.

More than three dozen Blue Wave alumni have played or are playing or coaching Major League Baseball (MLB), including current Mariners Dylan Moore, Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian, Rangers catcher Austin Hedges, and Angels catcher Chad Wallach.

Current Month

Russ Martinez

Coach & Trainer

(714) 605-4173

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Tustin High School Baseball Assistant Varsity Coach Russ Martinez will take the helm for the Blue Wave Baseball 16U Underclass team for the Summer 2024 season.

Russ Martinez is a dedicated sports coach with a passion for helping athletes achieve their full potential. With over 6 years of experience coaching baseball and football, Russ has developed a reputation for his exceptional leadership skills, motivational coaching style, and unwavering commitment to his teams.

Born and raised in Barstow, California, Russ grew up with a deep love for sports. He attended Mt. San Antonio College, where he played football and honed his skills as a team player and leader. After college, Russ pursued a career in education, working in middle schools and high schools while continuing to coach on the side.

In 2015, Russ began his coaching career as a baseball coach, quickly establishing himself as a coach who could inspire and motivate his players to achieve their best. He also added football coaching to his repertoire, and for the next 6 years, Russ excelled in both roles, building strong teams and helping his athletes develop the skills they needed to succeed on and off the field.

As a coach, Russ believes in creating a positive and supportive environment where athletes can thrive. He takes a collaborative approach, working closely with each player to help them set and achieve their individual goals. His dedication to his teams is unwavering, and he is always willing to go the extra mile to help his players succeed.

Off the field, Russ enjoys spending time at the beach with his family. He believes in staying active and healthy, and encourages his players to do the same. With his passion for sports, his commitment to his teams, and his dedication to helping athletes succeed, Russ Martinez is a coach who truly makes a difference.

Aron Garcia

Head Coach & Trainer
Vice President & Board Director

(562)301-6516

Longtime Orange County youth baseball Coach Aron Garcia is director of player development at all levels for Blue Wave’s highly regarded High School Player Preparation Program that is focused on developing players for high school baseball and beyond.

Garcia is one of the top youth team coaches in the Western region and excels at preparing players for their freshman year of high school and beyond.

Garcia’s teams are consistently competitive and highly ranked every year, he has more than 70 tournament and league titles to his credit, as well as 14U national championships in 2009 and 2010.

His 14U team was 67-14 in 2010, ranked 18th in the nation by Perfect Game national scouting service, and finished first or second in more than a dozen tournaments over a five-month span. His 11U team won 7 out of eight tournaments they entered in 2015 and were ranked No. 1 in Southern California and No. 10 nationally by USSSA.

Garcia’s 2018 Blue Wave 12U team won eight tournament titles in eight months, compiling a 53-8-2 record that was capped off with the Cooperstown All-Star Village Week 9 Championship.

Garcia is also well experienced in playing in national tournaments; he was a member of the 1987 Northwood Little League team that played Taiwan in the Little League World Series.

He was featured in a feature article in the OC Register about his experience in the LLWS, as well as when he was featured in a June 27, 1988 Sports Illustrated as “The Comeback Kid.” And, in case you missed it, you can read the online version here HERE.

He was also a four-year varsity starter at Irvine High School, where he played shortstop. After high school, he attended Saddleback College, where he played baseball and football.

He has coached baseball and football since 1996 at Irvine High School, Mater Dei and Northwood High School, where he has been an assistant baseball coach for 19 years.