Kevin Smith
Hometown: East Greenbush, NY
High School: Columbia High School
Travel Team: South Troy Dodgers
College: Was the starting SS all three years at the University of Maryland, helping the Terps go to two Regionals and one Super Regional during his time in College Park.
In the summer of 2016, he was the starting shortstop for the YD Red Sox and was named Cape Cod League Playoff MVP after helping the team win their third straight Cape Cod Championship.
Kevin was majoring in Finance at the Smith School of Business before leaving his junior year when he was drafted in the 4th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pro Career: Kevin spent five years with the Jays, making his Major League Debut on August 18th, 2021 in just his 4th full year with the organization. In the spring of 2022, Kevin was part of the package traded to Oakland for Matt Chapman. He went on to play two seasons with the Athletics before signing with the New York Yankees in 2024.
Kevin retired from baseball in 2025 and currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona with his wife and two kids.
Matt Talarico
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
High School: Bishop Dwenger High School
Playing Career: Matt played four seasons at Manchester College, helping them go 124-54 record from 2004-07. They claimed two Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Regular Season Championships (2004, 2006) and two tournament titles (2004, 2005), on route to advancing to the NCAA Regional's on three occasions (2004, 2005, 2006) and the Division III World Series in 2004.
College Coaching Career: Spent 2008-09 at Division III Heidelberg, posting a combined 78-19 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament each season, winning both the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season and tournament titles.
In 2010, Matt was at Toledo as their assistant coach, overseeing the outfielders as well as assisting with base running. The rockets stole over 80 bases for the first time in a decade.
From 2011-2016 he was at the University of Dayton as an assistance coach focusing on the offense and base running.
He then spent four years at Wright State, serving as the infield, base running and hitting coach while also overseeing all player development.
Professional Coaching Career: Matt spent five years as the Director of Speed and Base Running for the New York Yankees, helping them lead the Minor Leagues in stolen bases for five straight years, while helping multiple big leaguers steal bases at a career high clip.
Matt joined the Chicago Cubs in 2025 as their Offensive Coordinator.
Youth Coaching Career: Matt has coached at almost every level in youth sports and currently coaches his two daughters, a big inspiration to the start of Kali Gloves.
Matt founded StealBases.com in 2012, a website that gives coaches insight into the blueprint he used to help athletes from youth travel ball to the Major Leagues put more pressure on the defense, steal more bases, and score more runs.
His book - The Complete Base Stealing Manual - has sold more than 1,000 copies and is used by coaches all over the country as their base running blueprint.
Matt curently lives in Ohio with his wife and kids.
Kali Gloves
Helping Kids Play Better Catch
