Staff

Blue Wave’s key asset over the years is the combined experience and strength of its management team, coaches, trainers, and staff.

Blue Wave coaches and trainers have come from some of the top colleges, MLB teams, and high school coaching staffs in Southern California over the years, including: Cal State University Fullerton, Long Beach State, Stanford, Sacramento State, Fresno State, Vanguard, OCC, IVC, Angels, Rockies, Red Sox, Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and more.

Blue Wave has been fertile proving grounds for coaches in Southern California as well, producing many notable high school and club coaches as well.

Blue Wave coaching alum include Bret Kay (JSerra), David Bacani (Santa Margarita Catholic HS), Rich Pohle (Brea Olinda), Matt Sorensen (Golden Valley), Bishop Griggs (Saddleback HS), Bret LeVier (El Toro), Jason Smith (Fullerton JC), Ben Owens (Tustin HS), Benny Bonilla, Derric Merrell, Louis Baltierra, Mike Fuchs, Charlie Phillips, and more.

And former Blue Wave players are now also making their way into the coaching ranks, including Justin Viele (LA Dodgers), Matt Florer (USD), Jon Hurst (Diamond Bar HS), and Dew Hillman (Laguna Hills).

Our present staff includes:

Steve Kruse

General Manager
President/Founder

(949)202-7748

Steve Kruse is general manager of Blue Wave Athletics, one of the oldest and most respected club baseball organizations in California.

Over the past 25 years, he has managed more than 150 teams ranging from 9U to high school and collegiate level that have played more than 7,500 games and won more than 150 league and tournament championships, as well as dozen national event championships to date.

His teams have also produced 350+ collegiate and nearly three dozen professional players as well.

Besides growing Blue Wave, Kruse has an impressive background in management and growing companies as well in the PC software industry with more than 25 years of successful executive-level experience as a President, CEO, COO, and CMO, including a stint as a key executive for PICK Systems in Irvine, CA from 1987 to 1992.

Kruse started his career as a Journalist, newspaper Editor and Publisher in the Pacific Northwest, where he garnered 16 national awards for writing, editing, and Journalist excellence from 1972 to 1982.

He started Blue Wave in 2004 as a “hobby” and has 40+ years of experience coaching or managing successful club teams in Football, Basketball, and Baseball.

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 and Collegiate Preparation Programs that are focused on developing players for the next level for any ballplayer at any age.

Garcia is one of the top youth team coaches in the Western region and excels at preparing players for high school, college and beyond. In his 18 years as a coach, several hundred of his former players have gone on to play college and professionally.

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 high school varsity-level teams have won numerous tournaments and showcase events.

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 Northwood High School, and currently at Crean Lutheran High School, Irvine.

Matt Sorensen

Director of Player Development,  Head Coach, Board Director

(424)326-2807

Coach Matt Sorensen has more than 10 years’ experience coaching high school varsity baseball, with head high school coaching stints at Golden Valley, Estancia, Brea Olinda, and Cathedral City as well.

Sorensen serves as Blue Wave’s Director of Player Development and coaches major showcase events and assists in promoting players to collegiate programs.  He is also a member of the Blue Wave Athletics Board of Directors.

Sorensen is highly popular with the players, his peers, and well-respected by collegiate coaches as well.

Sorensen was a highly successful starting pitcher in his days for the Oklahoma Sooners as well as Cal State Fullerton, where he pitched for two seasons under head coach George Horton and established a 17-0 record over two years.

His 12-0 sophomore mark was the second-best in school history, earning him first-team All-Big West Conference honors in 1999. He led the team in innings pitched (126.0) in his first year, beat all-Big West foes at least once as a sophomore, and captured the Titans’ only College World Series win in the 1999 series after going 8.1innings against Texas A&M.

Sorensen was drafted twice in his collegiate career, by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 and the Blue Jays once again in 2000.

He was a three-sport letterman for Warren High School in Downey, where he was named the high school’s “Athlete of The Year” and named First-team CIF and San Gabriel Valley League Player of the Year. He was also named to the Press Telegram Dream Team and selected First Team All-League three times.

Sorensen has coached many highly successful Blue Wave 18U Connie Mack teams over the years and many of his players and students have gone on to play college and professional baseball, including Dylan Moore (Mariners).

Coaches

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.

Michael Brady

Head Coach & Trainer

(949) 939-3447

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Former MLB pitcher Michael Brady is head coach for Blue Wave 2027 team and resident pitching coach for Blue Wave players at all levels.

Brady grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita and attended Santa Margarita Catholic High School where he played on the high school baseball team.

After graduation, he played for the University of California-Berkeley Golden Bears and was drafted as a shortstop by the Florida Marlins in the 24th round of the 2009 MLB draft.

After playing 3rd and 2nd in Class A and Rookie league in 2009, Brady moved to pitching for the Jamestown Jammers in 2010 where he had a 1.59 ERA in 49 games out of the bullpen.

Over the next several years Brady pitched at all levels for the Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Washington Nationals, and the Oakland Athletics, where he made his major league debut in 2017.

Besides his high school, collegiate and professional experience, Coach Brady has experience working with youth players and club teams. He also gives private lessons in pitching, fielding, and hitting.

Beside taking incoming freshman summer team, Coach Brady will also work with both 14U and 13U players at practice sessions and focus on working with our pitchers and bullpens on Thursdays.

More detail on Coach Brady is available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Brady_(baseball)

You can also contact him at  and (949) 939-3447