COACHES

Brent Concolino

Manager

Charles Amante

Manager

Eric Whitmer

Manager

Ken Harrison

Coach

Rafa Iñiguez

Coach

Jake Ortega

Coach

Nick Meyer

Coach

Chad Concolino

Strength & Conditioning

Dr. Mike Wright, DPT

Health & Rehabilitation

BIOGRAPHY

Brent Concolino​

Brent Concolino was born and raised in Orange County, CA. In 1999 Brent started at ROCK Institute for Sports Performance Training for Baseball, Football, Soccer and Lacrosse. Brent went on to Letter every year in all sports he played in high-school as well as becoming League MVP in Baseball and honored with all league selections. In Baseball, Brent had the fortunate opportunity to play for former professional pitcher Mark Langston, 3-time MLB league strikeout leader, who played 16 years in professional baseball with teams such as the Anaheim Angels, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians. Langston considered Brent as “one of the best natural Athletes to come out of Orange County I have ever seen”.

In 2003 Brent was voted a top Southern California player of the year by California Coaches Association. After multiple Tommy John Surgerys from Dr. Lewis Yocum. Brent continued training and rehabbing and was able to make a comeback at UCLA in 2006 where he encountered another challenge during the year: still another “Tommy John” surgery occurred at the end of the 2006 year as well as a nerve Transplant. Brent Graduated from UCLA and continued to study Sports Medicine and the history of Sports Injuries and realized that too many athletes were being physically and mentally destroyed by the old school way of sports training at such a young age.
Brent Concolino was born and raised in Orange County, CA. In 1999 Brent started at ROCK Institute for Sports Performance Training for Baseball, Football, Soccer and Lacrosse. Brent went on to Letter every year in all sports he played in high-school as well as becoming League MVP in Baseball and honored with all league selections. In Baseball, Brent had the fortunate opportunity to play for former professional pitcher Mark Langston, 3-time MLB league strikeout leader, who played 16 years in professional baseball with teams such as the Anaheim Angels, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians. Langston considered Brent as “one of the best natural Athletes to come out of Orange County I have ever seen”.
In 2003 Brent was voted a top Southern California player of the year by California Coaches Association. After multiple Tommy John Surgerys from Dr. Lewis Yocum. Brent continued training and rehabbing and was able to make a comeback at UCLA in 2006 where he encountered another challenge during the year: still another “Tommy John” surgery occurred at the end of the 2006 year as well as a nerve Transplant. Brent Graduated from UCLA and continued to study Sports Medicine and the history of Sports Injuries and realized that too many athletes were being physically and mentally destroyed by the old school way of sports training at such a young age.
In his 30 years as a surgeon, Dr. Lewis A. Yocum, the former medical director for the Los Angeles Angels, said he had performed only one Tommy John procedure on a pitcher as young as 16. He later begun to perform 80 to 100 of the operations each year.” Kids are even getting surgery upon entering high school due to over-training and/or poor techniques in training in their specific sport. Brent has now devoted himself to developing & guiding young athletes to compete at their highest level without over-training their bodies and minds. Brent has trained thousands of athletes from high school phenomenon’s to college All-Americans as well as Olympic Gold Medalist’s. Brent defines himself as “A Simply Average Person” (a.s.a.p.) who is able to get people from where they are (point A) to where they would like to be (point “B”, “C” and forward).
CA State Licenses & Certificates (Graduate of UCLA)
  • Sports Performance Specialist (S.P.S.)
  • American Fitness Training of Athletics (A.F.T.A)
  • Certified Tribal Technician Practitioner, (CTT) 201800105 by First Nation Medical Board 
  • Life Performance Consultant & Strategist (L.P.C.S.)
  • Corrective Therapy Specialist (C.T.S.) Level 6k
  • Corrective Exercise Therapy Specialist (C.E.T.S.)
Brent Concolino

Manager

BIOGRAPHY

Charles Amante

Charles has served as an Executive Board Member at South Sunrise Little League in Orange, California for over ten years with seven years as the league’s President. He led the league to 35% total growth in registration over seven years and oversaw several large scale projects, including fundraising for new bullpen construction, new scoreboard installation, batting cage renovation, and obtaining a $20,000 grant to renovate the league’s upper division fields, His primary goal as President was to not only grow the league’s registration numbers, but also improve the quality of the baseball product and experience for the 400+ players & families involved in the league.

Charles’ true passion is for coaching. For over ten years, he has managed and coached all levels of youth recreational and club baseball from 6u-14u, leading teams to Little League District regular season and all-star championships. In 2022, Charles’ Southies Select 12u team placed 18th out of 60+ teams at the Cooperstown All-Star Village international tournament in Cooperstown, New York.
 
Charles also works as VP of Finance & Accounting at an investment management firm in Aliso Viejo and holds an M.B.A. in Finance and B.S. in Business Management from Pepperdine University. He and his wife, Erica, have three children, James, Claire and Miles.
Charles Amante

Manager

BIOGRAPHY

Eric WHITMER

Eric has served on the executive board at South Sunrise Little League for 4 years and has been a coach or manager at the league for the past 4 years. In those 4 years being involved as a coach or manager Eric has coached 9 teams in recreation baseball, tournament and a travel teams. Eric grew up playing travel ice hockey for a nationally ranked team in Southern California. Competing at the State level and winning tournament championships across the US. After Eric’s ice hockey career ended he raced motocross and grand prix events in Southern California, racing against top pros and national champions.
 
Eric is currently a retail real estate broker working for larger corporations and expanding their real estate holdings and store counts across California. He currently lives in the City of Orange with his wife Rebecca, and son Hunter.
 
Eric Whitmer

Manager

BIOGRAPHY

CHAD CONCOLINO

Chad Concolino was born and raised in Orange County; CA. Chad played at the Varsity level at all three sports all 4 years of his high school career at Foothill. He then went on to play baseball at Saddleback College under the great Jack Hodges where he had a successful career and earned All-American honors and has now entered into Saddleback College Hall of fame (http://www.saddleback.edu/athletics/HallofFame.html) joining baseball athletes such as Mark Grace and Tim Wallach. Chad transferred to UCLA where he had the honor of playing Baseball under Legendary Coach Gary Adams.
Chad Concolino was born and raised in Orange County; CA. Chad was first was introduced to ROCK Institute while training for Baseball, football, and track. Chad went on to play at the Varsity level at all three sports all 4 years of his high school career at Foothill. He then went on to play baseball at Saddleback College under the great Jack Hodges where he had a successful career and earned All-American honors and has now entered into Saddleback College Hall of fame (http://www.saddleback.edu/athletics/HallofFame.html) joining baseball athletes such as Mark Grace and Tim Wallach. Chad transferred to UCLA where he had the honor of playing Baseball under Legendary Coach Gary Adams.
During his senior year at UCLA, he was honored to be the Team Captain of the bruin’s baseball team. Chad had the unfortunate experience at UCLA of shattering his ankle while running full speed into the outfield wall while going for a fly ball. Because of the unique and specialized treatment at ROCK Institute, Chad was able to make an unexpected return to complete his senior year at UCLA. He went on to be awarded the C.H.A.M.P.S. Inspirational Award his senior year, given annually to a male and female student-athlete who has overcome personal adversity, injury or illness while achieving athletic success. Chad contributes the hard work of Vic Rakshsani and ROCK Institute a major reason why he even had the opportunity to earn this award and play his final season.
Chad Concolino

Strength & Conditioning

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Mike Wright, DPT

Mike grew up in Tehachapi, CA where he was a 4 year athlete and captain of both his baseball and football teams. During his sophomore year in high school he sustained a rotator cuff injury and his rehab fueled his interest in physical therapy. He attended San Diego State University (SDSU) and majored in Kinesiology. After SDSU he was accepted in physical therapy school at Mount St. Mary’s in Los Angeles and graduated in 2013.
Mike grew up in Tehachapi, CA where he was a 4 year athlete and captain of both his baseball and football teams. During his sophomore year in high school he sustained a rotator cuff injury and his rehab fueled his interest in physical therapy. He attended San Diego State University (SDSU) and majored in Kinesiology. After SDSU he was accepted in physical therapy school at Mount St. Mary’s in Los Angeles and graduated in 2013.
Mike started his career in San Diego working in an orthopedic setting and was a clinical director. Early on in his career he saw how physical therapists often limited themselves by looking only at the specific problem as opposed to how the body works as a whole. This concern led Mike to get his certification in applied functional science (CAFS) through the Gray Institute and Mike has dedicated himself to treating with a holistic perspective.
While in San Diego Mike he had the opportunity to work with both college and professional athletes. He worked with multiple groups of collegiate players preparing for the NFL combine. Watching and being a part of their journey sparked his interest in the Rock Institute when he moved to Orange County.
Dr. Mike Wright, DPT

Health & Rehabilitation

BIOGRAPHY

Nick Meyer

Nick Meyer is a highly qualified baseball coach and former professional player with over 20 years of playing experience, including six years at the professional level and extensive collegiate success. He began his career as a standout catcher and infielder, playing for the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays organizations, reaching the AAA level, and earning recognition as the Syracuse Mets “Most Popular Player” in 2023 and a Florida State League “Mid-Season All-Star” in 2019. At Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he was a three-year starting catcher, a “First Team” Big West selection, “Freshman of the Year,” and three-time recipient of the John Orton Gold Glove award. In 2017, he represented Team USA on the Collegiate National Team, competing internationally.

 

In addition to his playing career, Nick has been coaching since 2021, offering independent hitting and catching instruction to athletes of all ages, fostering a love for the game and developing their skills. Most recently, he served as a graduate assistant coach for Cal Poly Baseball during the 2024–2025 season, helping guide the team to a Big West Tournament Championship and NCAA regional appearance. Nick earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from California Polytechnic State University, where he returned to complete his degree after his professional playing career. Known for his passion, experience, and ability to connect with players, Nick is dedicated to developing young athletes both on and off the field.


Nick Meyer

Coach

BIOGRAPHY

JAKE ORTEGA

image0.jpeg

Born and raised in Mission Viejo, CA, and played baseball at Capistrano Valley High School. Received a scholarship to play at California State University, Bakersfield, Jake was a starter all 4 years of his collegiate career. Jake was named 2nd Team ALL WAC honors twice and earned Academic All-WAC as well. In his Senior season caught a WAC-leading 26 baserunners stealing. After a successful collegiate career, Jake was selected by the New York Mets with the 28th pick in the 2019 MLB Draft where he spent 4 seasons in the minor leagues. Following the Mets, Jake played 2 years for the Sioux City Explorers in the American Association. 

 

Mike grew up in Tehachapi, CA where he was a 4 year athlete and captain of both his baseball and football teams. During his sophomore year in high school he sustained a rotator cuff injury and his rehab fueled his interest in physical therapy. He attended San Diego State University (SDSU) and majored in Kinesiology. After SDSU he was accepted in physical therapy school at Mount St. Mary’s in Los Angeles and graduated in 2013.
Mike started his career in San Diego working in an orthopedic setting and was a clinical director. Early on in his career he saw how physical therapists often limited themselves by looking only at the specific problem as opposed to how the body works as a whole. This concern led Mike to get his certification in applied functional science (CAFS) through the Gray Institute and Mike has dedicated himself to treating with a holistic perspective.
While in San Diego Mike he had the opportunity to work with both college and professional athletes. He worked with multiple groups of collegiate players preparing for the NFL combine. Watching and being a part of their journey sparked his interest in the Rock Institute when he moved to Orange County.
Jake Ortega

Coach

BIOGRAPHY

Ken Harrison

Ken is an avid baseball fan who loves to work with young kids helping them attain their goals to play at the next level. Possessing a degree in Exercise Sports Science and a Masters in Education,  I bring 25 years of coaching baseball from Little League, Travel Ball, and High School arenas.  It is pure joy to watch young athletes learn and grow in the sport of baseball.  There is no greater game than Baseball . Along with the team atmosphere I have also dedicated over 15 years to private pitching lessons, developing, protecting, and maintaining young arms so that young athletes can perform to the best of their abilities. I am excited to come back to the Sothies organization as I have fond memories being a part of the foundations of Southies baseball as a coach for their inaugural team. I can’t wait to work with these kids and prepare them for the future goal of competing in Cooperstown and beyond.


Ken Harrison

Coach

BIOGRAPHY

Rafa Iñiguez

Rafa Iñiguez grew up in Orange County, CA and attended Santa Ana High School, graduating in 2000.  It was in high school that Rafa developed an interest in youth mentorship and community engagement while participating in service organizations as a member of Key Club, California Scholarship Federation and Future Leaders of America.  
 
Despite not playing organized sports until high school, Rafa became captain of his basketball team his sophomore year and held that role through his senior year while also earning both Basketball and Academic Letters as well as multiple Scholar Athlete awards for Athletic and Academic achievement.
 
While pursuing his architecture degree in college at California State Polytechnic University of Pomona, Rafa continued to nurture his love for public service and sports.  He volunteered as a freshman basketball coach back at Santa Ana High School and served as a referee at the YMCA in Pomona, CA and as a math tutor at Nogales High School in La Puente, CA.
 
Since 2021, Rafa has served on the executive committee as Coach Coordinator for the Villa Park-Orange Chapter of National Junior Basketball (NJB).  His coaching experience spans multiple sports and age groups, for both boys and girls, including Little League, Pony and Travel Baseball, NJB and Club Basketball and AYSO Soccer, as well as leading All-Star teams in both baseball and basketball.
 
Outside of coaching or spending time with his wife, two children and their dogs, Dodger and Xurro, Rafa runs his own design firm, Dexign Xynthesis, based in Orange, CA.  His firm specializes in building design for both small clients and corporate clients across Southern California.
 
Rafa Iniguez

Coach