Shannon’s love for baseball began in his own backyard in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, playing baseball with his dad, mom, brothers and grandparents. Shannon played collegiately at Mansfield University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education, and then went on to receive a Master's degree in Educational Leadership at Gwynedd Mercy University. Shannon has had the privilege of working with children in a variety of ways. He has been an educator in Wissahickon school District for 24 years (both at the elementary and middle school levels). He has been the varsity assistant baseball coach at North Penn High School, and was the Head Baseball coach at Wissahickon for ten years.

Shannon was the Director of Baseball Operations for the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation. During his time with CRSF he led a team that provided baseball and softball programming in underserved communities, including camps and clinics at Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs.

Shannon was an owner of Ambler Sports Academy in Ambler, PA, from 2007 through 2022, where he managed the day to day operations, oversaw building renovations, mentored coaches, trained players and teams. ASA was purchased by EL1 sports in 2022. Shannon is also a partner at The Phieldhouse, a sports facility in Philadelphia.

Shannon was a partner in USA Quickball, helping to develop it’s 6U curriculum and programming, training other’s in Quickball and bringing Quickball to leagues around the country. Shannon stayed on as a Quickball consultant and trainer after Quickball’s sale to EL1 in 2022.

Shannon has volunteered his time as a coach in the community, has been involved in a variety of organizations, school initiatives, and foundations. He lives in Fort Washington, PA with his wife, Jana, and sons Hart(11) and Cal(8).

Shannon believes baseball is about enjoyment of the game, and the opportunities it can provide, but the real value of the sports is in the relationship it can build and communities it can strengthen.

Jana believes all children (and grownups!) deserve time and space during their day to breathe, to move their bodies, and connect with themselves and their community.

Jana holds her yoga teacher certification from Blue Banyan Yoga in Philadelphia, Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and a Master's Degree in Urban Education. Additionally, Jana is certified to teach mindfulness in schools through the Mindful Schools program, and has completed trainings in Trauma-Informed Yoga for Kids, supporting Neurodiverse Children, and Family Yoga.

She currently is the owner of HEARTWELL YOGA and teaches yoga and mindfulness in many preschools, childcare centers, schools, after school programs, camps, and libraries. She also offer workshops for schools, private and small group yoga for adults & families, yoga birthday parties, and yoga at community events.

Chris Manero is in his 12th season as the head varsity baseball coach at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School. He has coached high school baseball and taught social studies for the past 23 years. He is a member of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Baseball Coaches Association and serves as a general manager for the Bux Mont franchise in the annual Phillies Carpenter Cup Tournament.

Off the diamond, Chris recently completed eight years of service as an elected member of the Plymouth Township Council, where he served as chair for the last three years. He holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s in geography from West Chester University. He is a graduate of North Penn High School.

Josh Throckmorton is the Program Director at Philadelphia Youth Sports Collaborative, a local nonprofit that supports community-based youth sports programs by bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders to coordinate a citywide initiative aimed at delivering meaningful sports opportunities to every young resident of Philadelphia. He also coaches youth baseball in the Brewerytown neighborhood of North Philadelphia for Give & Go Athletics and helps to lead coach development initiatives for Mt. Airy Baseball. From 2013-2022, he served as an assistant coach for the NCAA Division III baseball team at Swarthmore College, where he also worked as the Director of Athletic Recruitment for the Admissions Office. During his tenure, the Garnet captured their first two Centennial Conference Championships and appeared in their first NCAA Div. III World Series.

Josh completed his Master's in Education at the University of Washington, focusing on Coaching Pedagogy and researching barriers to participation in youth baseball and softball for UW's Center for Leadership in Athletics. His team's findings were used by the Seattle Mariners to develop their 2023 All-Star Legacy initiatives to increase access to bat and ball sports across the Pacific Northwest. Josh earned his undergraduate degree in American Studies with Honors from Occidental College in 2012. He was a member of the Tigers' Div. III baseball team, which he co-captained for three seasons. He grew up in Massachusetts, volunteering for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League for much of his adolescence; Josh currently resides in Philadelphia, PA.