Go Hardball - Chicagoland's Elite Baseball Instruction & Personal Training Staff

Tony Feo
President, Founder
Director of Operations

Before forming Go Hardball, LLC in 2007, Tony served as Head Coach of the Chicago Gems Women's Baseball Club from 2005-2007.  During his tenure with the Gems, Tony helped to form the nation's first women's baseball division within an all-men's amateur baseball league in 2007.

Tony played his high school baseball at Schaumburg High School (1994-1997), and graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Computer Science in 2001.

Tony's passion for technology and baseball led him to discover the power of video capture technology and the benefits it has to aid in the teachings of proper hitting and pitching mechanics.  Tony has played in the Midwest Suburban League since 1999, and was a 4-time All-Star selection as an outfielder and pitcher.  Tony has experience coaching all ages and levels and currently manages men's amateur baseball teams both locally and nationally.

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Kate Mitchum
Vice President, Founder
ACE Certified Personal Trainer

Until co-founding Go Hardball, LLC in 2007, Kate had served as Director of Facilities for the Chicago Gems Women's Baseball Club from 2003-2007. Kate is currently certified with the American Council on Fitness (ACE) and holds a CPR/AED certification with the American Heart Association.

Kate's passion for sports and fitness began over 20 years ago while watching her dad train for power lifting events and football games. Although always active, Kate spent much of her early adult years overweight.  In order to pursue her passion of baseball, Kate knew she needed to get in better shape to be able to make it through a nine inning game.  After losing 70 pounds Kate is proud to be the only female player in the men's Midwest Suburban Baseball League.  Kate knows as well as anyone how hard it can be to lose weight, she was determined to reach her goals, and through dedication and hard work she did.

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Jimmy Karr
Director of Player Development

Joining Go Hardball in 2009, Jimmy brings over 5 years of program design and instruction experience with ages 3 and up.  Jimmy attended Lewis University where he was a 3 year varsity starter and team captain, under Hall of Fame coach Irish O'Reilly.  While at Lewis, Jimmy held a .300+ career average and was named the Blue Chip National Player to watch for in 2003.

Since earning a degree in Sports Management at Lewis, Jimmy had the opportunity to work as clubhouse manager with the Joliet Jackhammers where he was responsible for everyday stadium operations at the professional level.

Jimmy's passion is providing athletes with proper work ethic, discipline, and knowledge of athletics.  As a firm follower of Charlie Lau and Ted Williams, Jimmy's instruction methods include principals covering overall mechanics, balance, coordination, and mental preparation.

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Scott Eidle
Baseball Hitting Instructor
Former Pro, Houston Astros Organization
Yale University Alum

Before joining Go Hardball in 2007, Scott attended Yale University from 1989-1993, where he was a four year starter and earned four varsity letters.  Scott was the first Yale player to hit over .300 for four consecutive seasons.

In 1993, Scott was drafted by the Houston Astros Organization.  He played for one season with the Quad City River Bandits (Single A, Houston), and in 1994 for the Duluth Superior Dukes (Independent).

Scott has had the privilege of instructing at many camps and clinics beginning with the Boyertown American Legion, in his home town of Boyertown, PA.  Scott's passion is hitting, and hitting techniques.  He loves studying and implementing different theories reflected in some of his favorite players including Ted Williams and Charlie Lau.

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Phil Marchinski
Baseball Hitting/Pitching Instructor
Catching Specialist

Prior to joining Go Hardball in 2009, Phil was a standout catcher at Libertyville High School.  As a junior, Phil won a gold glove award, and earned honors of team captain, all-conference, and all-area as a junior and senior.  Phil was also a member of the American Legion State Championship team in 2002.

Following a successful high school career, Phil attended Lewis University where he was a four year varsity starter at catcher, and earned a Best Defensive Player award in 2004.

Phil has extensive knowledge of hitting, catching, and pitching and has worked with players ages 5 to 18.  Instructing players on both a private and camp level with the Bulls/White Sox Academy, Phil brings a wealth of knowledge and experience combined with a personal approach.

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Karl Falkstrom
Baseball Hitting Instructor
IIT Alum

Karl Falkstrom joined Go Hardball as a baseball hitting instructor in 2008. The 44 year-old is currently playing in his 10th season with the Chicago Redhawks in the Midwest Suburban League at the 18 year-old & over level. For the past 7 seasons, his cumulative batting average is .400+.

Karl managed the Redhawks from 2006-2008. Under his supervision, he led the team to a final four and a finals appearance in a national amateur tournament in Arizona. The Chicagoland native also plays for the Chicago Typos in the Union Printers International Baseball League, the oldest amateur baseball tournament in the world. There he was only the 10th player in the history of the Chicago Typo's to be inducted into the UPIBL Hall of Fame, where he was recognized as a "five-tooled" player.

Prior to joining Go Hardball, the Illinois Institute of Technology graduate was an all conference high school baseball player as well as a member of the IIT baseball team. Karl and his wife, Christine, have a daughter, Karina and a son, Kyle. They currently reside in the Northwest Suburbs where Karl is actively coaching in the Mundelein Little League.

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