Chuck Menzhuber
Chuck has played, coached, and taught baseball his entire life. His baseball background includes:
- College Baseball – USC
- Professional Baseball – St. Louis Cardinals
- Professional Baseball Scout – St. Louis Cardinals
- Youth and HS Coach
- Private Baseball Instructor
Chuck’s love for teaching the game of baseball started in high school and he has been doing it ever since. His very first student, Darrin Jackson, played in the major leagues for 15 years and is now an announcer for the Chicago White Sox. Chuck currently works with youth, high school, college and professional players. He is passionate about teaching and using baseball to touch the lives of the players he works with.
Chuck is a Mission Viejo resident and has been married to his wife Kathleen for over 30 years. Their two kids, daughter Jessica and son Jake both attended Capistrano Valley High School. Jessica played soccer and softball, and attended St. Mary’s College on an academic and soccer scholarship. She is a Certified Financial Planner and is married to Anthony Aliotti, a former minor league baseball player and current scout with the Athletics organization. Jake attended and played baseball for Cal Poly Pomona and works in the audio visual field as well as coaching with Puma. Chuck enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf in his spare time.
Eric Waln
Eric has lived in the Mission Viejo area for 40 years and has continued his passion for baseball through coaching. His current profession (along with the values his parents have instilled in him) has taught him a great many things about maintaining a positive mental attitude, and building good character both on and off the field.
Eric has been the coach for the 14U Capo Cats for four years and he is currently the head JV coach at Capistrano Valley High School. He is very excited to begin this next chapter with the Puma Baseball “prep” program to help develop athletes to achieve their goal of making the high school baseball Team. He considers himself experienced in the finer teachings of baseball mechanics and player development, and is most proud of the upbeat approach and positive encouragement that he instills in players every day.
Eric has been married to his wife Tricia for 21 years and says that she is super supportive of all things, including his love for baseball. Eric’s daughter Bailey is an “academic All-Star” who graduated from CVHS in 2013, was a 4-year varsity cheer captain, and currently attends Chapman University. His son Braden is currently a junior at CVHS and plays varsity soccer along with enjoying other activities like surfing and skating. Eric enjoys golf, surfing, playing baseball, softball and spending time at the beach and the river.
Dave Riddle
4 Year Varsity Letter San Diego State University
– Drafted Baltimore Orioles in 21st Round 1989
– Pitched professionally through 1992
– Began Coaching Travel Ball and Private Pitching lessons 1994
Married 25 years to wife Dana. Three sons; all playing baseball; oldest Braden 2 Years at Chapman University as Freshman and Sophomore, All SCIAC both years. Led Panthers in wins and saves his Sophomore year. Moving to a 4 year to complete his degree and pitch for one more year this fall. Second son, Dylan. Pitching at UC Irvine this year. Youngest, Brent; freshman at SCHS and playing middle infield. Live in San Clemente CA and was born and raised in San Diego.
Coaching philosophy – The definition of a good baseball player is (1) an individual that can handle failure and success while keeping them in perspective (2) understands how important the mental approach to the game plays a role in their success (3) learns to focus on the only things that they can control… attitude and effort (4) understands the difference between getting coaching and getting criticized (4) realizes that his success as a player and how far he desires to take the game lies squarely in his court. The player has to want it bad enough to make it happen. No parent or no Coach can want it for a player more than the player wants it himself.
Jeff Montenegro
Jeff grew up in Mission Viejo, and then spent six years in Lawrence, Kansas, as a teacher and high school baseball coach. Now back in Orange County, Jeff is excited to coach and support youth baseball in the surrounding area.
Playing Experience:
College Baseball- Saddleback College, Ottawa University High School Baseball- Capistrano Valley
Coaching Experience:
Turner High School(KS) Varsity Assistant
Ottawa High School(KS) Varsity Assistant
Kyle Hunt
A Mission Viejo resident, Kyle attended Capistrano Valley High School and played 3 years at varsity shortstop, including the 2009 CIF championship team. Kyle received a baseball scholarship to University of Nevada, Reno, playing shortstop all 4 years. He played summer baseball in the West Coast and Alaska leagues. Kyle coached for 2 years at UNR, summer baseball in the West Coast and Alaska leagues, and is currently at Irvine Valley Junior College as Assistant Coach and Recruiter.
Jake Menzhuber
Jake attended and was a left-handed pitcher for Capistrano Valley High School. He went on to play for Cal Poly Pomona where he received his degree in Music Industry Studies. Jake played summer baseball in the West Coast league and now works in the audio visual field as well as teaching guitar.