Our Coaches
At BSA the instructors make the difference. They know how to individualize instruction to help athletes better their game and reach their individual goals. BSA provides education, motivation, and accountability to our athletes. Our coaches consist of former collegiate, minor league, and Major League Baseball players. They have the wisdom that only comes from experience.
Steve Soderstrom is the owner of Backyard Sports Academy. Steve has played baseball at every level and brings a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to our local youth. He opened Backyard Sports Academy in 2004 and added Backyard Ballpark in 2012. Steve began his baseball career playing Little League in Turlock. He went to Turlock High School where he played baseball and basketball for the Bulldogs. Steve was a standout athlete in high school but it was his success on the mound that garnered the attention of major league teams. After high school graduation Steve was drafted by the NY Mets in the 15th Round of the MLB amateur draft. He chose to go to college and attend Fresno State instead where he played collegiately for the Bulldogs. Steve pitched in the College World Series in 1991 and the Regional Championships in 1993. He recorded 269 strikeouts in 290 innings for the Dogs. Following Steve's junior year at Fresno State, the San Francisco Giants selected Steve as the sixth pick overall. He began his professional career with the Giants exiting Fresno State as the highest draft pick in Fresno State history. Steve spent three years in the Giants organization before reaching the major leagues. He pitched for the San Jose Giants, the Shreveport Captains, and the Phoenix Firebirds before making his debut in San Francisco on September 17, 1996. Steve pitched in three games that year compiling a 2-0 record. Steve went on to play for the Fresno Grizzlies and then signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000. Steve played for the Louisville Riverbats and retired the following season.
Steve Soderstrom
Tate is a Turlock Bulldog alum and went on to play Division 1 baseball in college. Tate earned an athletic scholarship to play at the University of Arizona and then at the University of California, San Diego. Tate graduated from UCSD with his degree in Political Science. Tate was recently hired by the Kansas City Royals as an intern in their baseball operations department. He plans to return to the Royals in January and is with us for a few months in the interim. We are beyond excited to have him back teaching hitting at Backyard.
Tate Soderstrom
Tony runs the travel program at Backyard Sports Academy. Backyard Baseball currently fields five teams age 10-14U. He is an on field coach and oversees the coaching staffs for each of our 10-14U teams. Tony runs the fundraising events for Backyard Teams Corp and manages all things baseball at BSA.