Our Story
ISG Baseball, formerly International Sports Group, is a non-profit organization (details below) founded in 1985 by internationally renowned baseball coach Bill Arce. Bill’s passion to assist in the development and growth of youth baseball internationally led to the birth of ISG.
This dedication to the development of youth baseball internationally initially consisted of two programs: the first, organizing youth and college age teams to provide quality competition and player clinics in various European countries, and the second – in recognition that baseball would improve only when coaching improved – addressing the need for increasing the numbers and continuing the education of coaches of all levels. ISG confronted that challenge by conducting preseason instructional clinics in response to requests by many baseball and softball federations in Europe.
In the past decade, the off-season instructional clinics have become the main focus of ISG and have created a rich resume of exposing European coaches to some of the finest American college and professional coaches. Over the years the speakers have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from individual and team techniques to the psychological and biomechanical aspects of the game. Today’s speakers keep the European coaches up to date with the latest "cutting edge" teaching methods in the ever-evolving games of baseball and softball.
Internationally, baseball has grown rapidly. ISG Baseball’s mission is to aid individual clubs and federations in their rapid growth and development - assisting them with their coaching education programs by improving their lines of communication with baseball and softball experts.
The scope of ISG’s programs -- dedicated to reaching these goals -- is dependent upon corporate sponsorships and individual contributions. The current level of financial support has recently supported ten to twelve winter coaching clinics as well as a few in-season programs. None of ISG’s personnel are salaried. Continued support of our sponsors assists in ISG's commitment to the continued improvement of international baseball coaching.
International Sports Group, Inc. Tax ID # Federal - 33-02409050, California State # D-1589363
This dedication to the development of youth baseball internationally initially consisted of two programs: the first, organizing youth and college age teams to provide quality competition and player clinics in various European countries, and the second – in recognition that baseball would improve only when coaching improved – addressing the need for increasing the numbers and continuing the education of coaches of all levels. ISG confronted that challenge by conducting preseason instructional clinics in response to requests by many baseball and softball federations in Europe.
In the past decade, the off-season instructional clinics have become the main focus of ISG and have created a rich resume of exposing European coaches to some of the finest American college and professional coaches. Over the years the speakers have covered a wide variety of topics ranging from individual and team techniques to the psychological and biomechanical aspects of the game. Today’s speakers keep the European coaches up to date with the latest "cutting edge" teaching methods in the ever-evolving games of baseball and softball.
Internationally, baseball has grown rapidly. ISG Baseball’s mission is to aid individual clubs and federations in their rapid growth and development - assisting them with their coaching education programs by improving their lines of communication with baseball and softball experts.
The scope of ISG’s programs -- dedicated to reaching these goals -- is dependent upon corporate sponsorships and individual contributions. The current level of financial support has recently supported ten to twelve winter coaching clinics as well as a few in-season programs. None of ISG’s personnel are salaried. Continued support of our sponsors assists in ISG's commitment to the continued improvement of international baseball coaching.
International Sports Group, Inc. Tax ID # Federal - 33-02409050, California State # D-1589363
Meet Ron Maestri, Newest ISG Board Member
ISG welcomes retired University of New Orleans baseball coach Ron "Maes" Maestri to its Board of Directors. Throughout his stellar coaching career Maestri has worn many caps and received numerous honors.
He started his coaching odyssey in Illinois working at several high schools as both an assistant and head for four years before making the move to the collegiate arena as an assistant to Leo Schrall at Bradley University in Peoria. After four years with the Braves, he was hired as the head coach at UNO. In 14 years leading the Pirates, he compiled an overall 519-246 record winning two Sun Belt Conference titles and taking two teams to World Series, finishing 2nd in the NCAA D2 classic and 5th on his lone trip to Omaha.
Administration called to Maes in 1979 and he stepped down as coach to become the school's Athletic Director. From 2000-2005 he served as the Director of NCAA Events for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. That gig led Coach Maestri into the professional ranks and he became the COO and Executive Director for the AAA New Orleans Zephers.
But once a coach, always a coach, and in 2013 UNO came calling on Maes again, this time to resurrect a failing program. He took the challenge and served the school well until retiring in 2015 for good.
An institution in New Orleans, Maestri was tabbed by ISG founder Bill Arce and since 1999 has been sharing his many years of baseball experience in Italy serving as the team leader each year for the ISG/Italian Coaching Clinic. His contacts in the professional game have been invaluable in arranging top notch clinicians for these clinics.
As could be expected, his storied career has garnered him many awards including being named to nine Halls of Fame: ABCA, Louisiana Baseball, Collegiate Athletic Directors, New Orleans Sports, Louisiana Sports, UNO, Bradley, and, fittingly, the Louisiana Italian-American Hall of Fame.
Welcome to the Board Maes!
He started his coaching odyssey in Illinois working at several high schools as both an assistant and head for four years before making the move to the collegiate arena as an assistant to Leo Schrall at Bradley University in Peoria. After four years with the Braves, he was hired as the head coach at UNO. In 14 years leading the Pirates, he compiled an overall 519-246 record winning two Sun Belt Conference titles and taking two teams to World Series, finishing 2nd in the NCAA D2 classic and 5th on his lone trip to Omaha.
Administration called to Maes in 1979 and he stepped down as coach to become the school's Athletic Director. From 2000-2005 he served as the Director of NCAA Events for the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. That gig led Coach Maestri into the professional ranks and he became the COO and Executive Director for the AAA New Orleans Zephers.
But once a coach, always a coach, and in 2013 UNO came calling on Maes again, this time to resurrect a failing program. He took the challenge and served the school well until retiring in 2015 for good.
An institution in New Orleans, Maestri was tabbed by ISG founder Bill Arce and since 1999 has been sharing his many years of baseball experience in Italy serving as the team leader each year for the ISG/Italian Coaching Clinic. His contacts in the professional game have been invaluable in arranging top notch clinicians for these clinics.
As could be expected, his storied career has garnered him many awards including being named to nine Halls of Fame: ABCA, Louisiana Baseball, Collegiate Athletic Directors, New Orleans Sports, Louisiana Sports, UNO, Bradley, and, fittingly, the Louisiana Italian-American Hall of Fame.
Welcome to the Board Maes!
THIS IS ISG BASEBALL
Board of DirectorsTom O’Connell, President
3829 S. Oakbrook Dr. Greenfield, WI 53228 414-704-5467 isgbaseball14@gmail.com Peter Caliendo, Vice-President PO Box 68013 Schaumburg, IL 60168 847-781-8039 petercaliendo@att.net Randy Town, Secretary-Treasurer 3736 N. Garey Ave. La Verne, CA 91750 909-964-8823 randy.town@claremontmckenna.edu Jim Jones 11430 Kestrel Road Klamath Falls, OR 97601 541-882-4253 isgbaseball@yahoo.com John Casey 42 Field Pond Rd. Milford, MA 01757 (508) 733-0521 john.casey@tufts.edu Pat Doyle 9666 Springfield Way Stockton, CA 95212 209-607-4048 doylemlb@aol.com John Vodenlich 4109 Oakmont trail Waukesha Wisconsin 53188 262-949-7128 vodenlij@uww.edu Ron Maestri 924 Beverly Garden Metairie, LA 70002 504-919-8211 r.maestri@aol.com |
Advisory Board
Evander Schley, Chairperson
Roger LaFrancois, St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carminucci, AZ Diamondbacks Steve Baker, MLB International Emeritus Dick Radatz Jr., Northwoods Collegiate League |
Founder:
William (Bill) Arce, Jr.
Former Baseball Coach, Athletic Director at Claremont McKenna College
1985
William (Bill) Arce, Jr.
Former Baseball Coach, Athletic Director at Claremont McKenna College
1985