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 Director John Vodenlich
One of the top NCAA D3 coaches in the nation, UW-Whitewater head coach John Vodenlich begins his second term as a member of the ISG Baseball Board of Directors. An All-State performer at catcher at J. I. Case High School in Racine, WI, Vo, as his friends call him, was a stand-0ut while playing at the school he now coaches while becoming the first two-time All American in Warhawk school history.
Following his college career, Vodenlich played professionally in Europe before returning to his alma mater to become an assistant coach for four years under Jim Miller, his coach while a player at the school. This gig led to his first head coaching job at Madison (WI) Edgewood College in 1998 where he led his charges to their first winning season in school history.
But Vo's heart was always in Whitewater and he returned to the school in 2000 to again assist Miller and was named the Head Coach of the Warhawks following his mentor's retirement in 2003.
The success of the program has been incredible in the last 17 years. His teams have won 12 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in that span and have advanced to the NCAA D3 World Series four times winning the national championship in 2014. His overall winning percentage (577-186, .756) is one of the highest in the nation and he currently ranks 4th in the nation in W-L percentage among all D3 coaches.
As a member of ISG Clinic Teams, Vodenlich has traveled extensively around Europe, conducting clinics in former Balkan states including Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia as a Team Leader and assisting at many others including those in Great Britain, Germany and Austria.
His command of Slavic languages makes him a valued clinician and his understanding of cutting edge coaching techniques makes him sought after.
Following his college career, Vodenlich played professionally in Europe before returning to his alma mater to become an assistant coach for four years under Jim Miller, his coach while a player at the school. This gig led to his first head coaching job at Madison (WI) Edgewood College in 1998 where he led his charges to their first winning season in school history.
But Vo's heart was always in Whitewater and he returned to the school in 2000 to again assist Miller and was named the Head Coach of the Warhawks following his mentor's retirement in 2003.
The success of the program has been incredible in the last 17 years. His teams have won 12 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in that span and have advanced to the NCAA D3 World Series four times winning the national championship in 2014. His overall winning percentage (577-186, .756) is one of the highest in the nation and he currently ranks 4th in the nation in W-L percentage among all D3 coaches.
As a member of ISG Clinic Teams, Vodenlich has traveled extensively around Europe, conducting clinics in former Balkan states including Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia as a Team Leader and assisting at many others including those in Great Britain, Germany and Austria.
His command of Slavic languages makes him a valued clinician and his understanding of cutting edge coaching techniques makes him sought after.
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
