Athlete Testimonials

  • I have known Joe for over 20 years, and his passion for the game and the development of young athletes has always been evident.

    I look forward to collaborating with him and Gap 2 Gap in growing their athletes!”
    Shawn Armstrong
    RHP Tampa Bay Rays
Shawn Armstrong Tampa Bay Rays

  • Over the course of the last several years, I’ve had the pleasure of observing Coach Chad Funderburk work with and develop players of all ages through his personalized, unique, and articulate delivery and hitting philosophy, which quickly elevates his players’ ascending skill sets across the board.


    The constant among his results is his players’ hip rotation and polished acceleration within each swing path to–and through–the point of contact, while maintaining tremendous balance and aiding in pitch recognition.  In addition, there were countless encouraging posts and his consistent use of the expression, “You get what you earn!” to remind the athletes of their innate abilities and to reinforce a solid work ethic to achieve their potential. I’m truly excited to see the new website and app, its accessibility, and Chad’s expanded vision. I’m proud to be a part of this venture and looking forward to working together in the future.”

    Brian Domenico
    President & CEO POWER SHOWCASE Inc.
Brian Domenico President & CEO POWER SHOWCASE Inc

“Coach Chad has done a great job of creating a foundation for my son to build from. He communicates specific cues for my son to understand and work on each lesson. Not everything can be taught at one lesson, so Chad takes one cue each lesson for him to learn and builds off of it for the following lesson. My son has shown lots of improvement.”

Brent DeCastecker
  • “My son has had several hitting coaches over the years, but none of them compared to Chad Funderburk. His deep understanding of hitting techniques is evident in the way he communicates and demonstrates skills, making them easy to grasp for young athletes. What sets Chad apart is his keen eye for detail. He can identify and correct even the smallest flaws in my child’s swing that others have overlooked. Additionally, Chad’s knowledge about what college coaches look for in a hitter has given us invaluable insights as we navigate the path to a collegiate baseball career. His focus on both technical improvement and mental resilience has not only enhanced my child’s performance but also their love for the game. We are incredibly grateful for the positive influence Chad has had on our child’s development as a hitter and as a person. I highly recommend him to any parent seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable hitting instructor for their child.”
    John Sammon
  • “I cannot say enough good things about my hitting coach, Chad Funderburk. He has truly transformed my approach to hitting. Coach Chad really understands hitting techniques and always explains things in a way that makes sense to me. His positive attitude and constant encouragement have boosted my confidence and made me believe in my abilities. What really sets Coach Chad apart is his attention to detail. He can spot even the smallest issues in my swing that other coaches have missed, and his corrections have made a huge difference in my performance. Plus, his knowledge about what college coaches are looking for in a hitter has been super helpful as I prepare for the next step in my baseball journey. Thanks to Chad Funderburk, I’ve seen major improvements in my hitting and my overall mindset. I highly recommend him to any player who wants to take their game to the next level.”
    Cooper Sammon
  • “Coach Chad is the absolute best!  We are so thankful to have him working with both of our kids. We started with our son, and now have him working with our daughter too.  His ability to connect with each kid on their own personal level, and based on their individual personalities and needs is like no other. The growth and confidence we have seen in both kids is incredible. We are so appreciative of Chad, and all he does for our kids! His knowledge of baseball and softball is unmatched!”
    Erin Mathews
  • “”We feel like we hit the Baseball Instructor jackpot with Coach Chad. He is so great with my son. He has taken the time to understand the best way to specifically teach him and get to know his personality and works with it. There is zero doubt that he truly cares about him, his development and him as a human being. Not only has my son’s skill level significantly improved, but his confidence level and his drive to improvement. Highly recommend Gap to Gap Baseball, best decision ever!”
    Joanna Stopulos Gehrke

  • In youth baseball, organizations and facilities that put development first are a rarity.

    From our first conversations, it was clear Coach Joe and the Gap 2 Gap staff are among the rare ones that do so. It’s been a pleasure working with Joe and seeing his athletes grow since our partnership.”
    Ryan Yoshida
    Former PT LA Dodgers, Founder Armored Heat Baseball
Ryan Yoshida

  • Top three reasons why I give Chad 5 Stars:


    1. Chad uses a customized approach to teaching your athlete. He takes the time to get to know them and determine the areas they need to work on. Then he puts together a plan using drills and tools specifically tailored to your athlete. He tracks progress and tailors the lessons as your athlete continues to improve.
    2. Chad not only welcomes, but strongly encourages parent participation in his lessons. He does not just teach your athlete, he wants you to learn how to teach your athlete as well. This allows us to continue working on drills at home and helps me understand what to watch for and how to help correct it.
    3. Chad’s knowledge, enthusiasm, and passion for baseball is unmatched. He works hard and brings high energy to his lessons. He makes “the grind” fun, motivates your athlete, and builds their confidence.
    I also asked my son Lucas (age 11) how many stars he gives Chad and why. Here is his unedited review
    “5 stars I like how he shows us stuff to do at home he takes videos and rewatched them to make sure I’m doing everything right and he makes sure I’m doing everything right and he also is honest and focuses on one thing a time.”
    Ben Patterson
    Quad City Client

“New to G to G within the last 6 months. Love how Chad interacts with players and with parents. Talks to my sons (15 & 11) at their level. My 15 year old has never worked so hard at home than after working with Chad. Very good at breaking down video and explaining improvements that can be made to increase success. Going to G to G has been a very positive impact on both of my sons.”

Nate Brown
  • “Chad has been amazing to work with! My son is 8 and has been working with Chad for the past 7 months. The way Chad breaks everything down so that he can not only understand it but also replicate it when Chad is not there is unbelievable. One of the things I love most is that Chad encourages parents to get in there and watch/learn as well so that we can help our ballplayer when we are practicing on our own! My son also recently started pitching/throwing lessons as well. He provides an individualized plan for each player and does not just teach a “blanket” plan. My son’s throwing/pitching has come a long way already in the 2 months he has been working with Chad. The drills he has taught him are easily replicated outside of lessons and are broken down to my son’s level.”
    Ryan Michael Roman
  • “Chad does a great job breaking down the swing in kid friendly language and terminology that’s easy to understand. His attention to detail exceeds any coach we’ve ever had. Chad not only teaches the fundamentals of hitting but is also constantly going over baseball IQ and strategies that every player needs. Our son has become a smarter, more aggressive hitter making huge strides in just a few months.”
    Renee VanderVinne Shovlain
  • “Brayden and Tristan have been going to Gap to Gap Baseball for some hitting lessons…they both just love working with Chad! He’s bringing them confidence, encouragement, and the tools they need to be successful in a sport they love! Can’t wait to see what they do in their upcoming seasons!”
    Heather Bayston-Schmidt
  • “Chad is hands down one of the best instructors around. His approach of learning movement patterns to build the best plan for my son has helped improve his hitting tremendously. In the short time he’s been attending Gap to Gap his hitting has drastically improved, and I’m excited to see it transfer to the field. Definitely recommend!!”
    Lucas Roth

  • I met Chad Funderburk from Gap to Gap Baseball two years ago, and he is one of the best coaches I have encountered in skill acquisition and movement.

    His movement-based approach to training is producing not only great hitters but also well-rounded athletes, giving them the best chance to advance to the next level. Chad trains athletes to move naturally, not like robots, ensuring they develop true athleticism. His dedication to creating custom, individualized programs for every player sets him apart, tailoring each training plan to meet their specific needs and goals. Chad’s expertise and innovative methods make Gap to Gap Baseball an invaluable asset to any athlete’s journey.”
    Dr. Ismael Gallo
    Founder, Baseball Flows
    Former Professional Baseball Player, LA Dodgers Organization
Dr Gallo Baseball Flows

  • Coach Joe was my coach in JUCO ball.


    I was always impressed with his attention to detail and work ethic as a Coach. Since I joined the coaching world I have grown to appreciate our relationship and conversations on all aspects of the game. I can’t wait to get back down to the area and work with some of the Gap 2 Gap catchers and hitters.”
    Danny Millwee
    Coach, Chicago White Sox Organization
Danny Millwee Coach, Chicago White Sox Organization

“Coach Chad is the best around. I am a coach of a local team in town. 4 of my players including my son go to him for hitting lessons. My players have increased batting average, but most of all Confidence. You can’t buy that. He pushes them to work at home. He gives them homework. The players all smile and feel at home when they see him. He breaks down the swing well and makes sure that players know and understand their body and their swing. The things he teaches and the way he teaches is second to none. I love that my players have a resource like Coach Chad that they can lean on and that he even lets me pick his brain from time to time. If you have a Baseball or Softball player that has big dreams. Get them with Coach Chad at Gap to Gap ASAP!”

Derrek Battin
  • “Big thanks to Gap to Gap Baseball and Chad Funderburk. My son has been working with Chad for the past several months and the growth in his performance and approach at the plate is fun to watch. Despite having played baseball in college, I have sometimes struggled with teaching my son the how and whys of hitting. Chad has been able to better demonstrate many of the same ideas and movements that I could not. I am a big believer in surrounding my son with different coaches/voices to help him grow and learn. It can be hard as a dad and coach to check your ego at the door and let someone else work with your child, but Chad makes that easy and my son is loving his time at Gap to Gap Baseball. Not every at-bat ends in a hit but even the loud outs are awesome to see.”
    Steve Lamberti
  • “Chad Funderburk with Gap 2 Gap Baseball is awesome to work with. I have twins with completely different skill sets. I am amazed at how he tailors the workouts to fit each kids needs. This is no cookie cutter approach which is what I’ve been looking for. Chad does a great job to get them ready for the next level (next year, junior high, high school and beyond) instead of making them good for this year only. In addition, he introduced me to the ‘TEAM’ approach in that he is a part of the Team that gets my kids to the next level! I am very thankful that we started to work with him. Last, but definitely not least, he has exposed my kids to the next level thinking while marketing them in a way that can’t be duplicated. Thanks Chad!!!”
    Tony Mital
  • “Chad with Gap to Gap has been great to work with! Our son struggled last year and I could quite figure it out, within one lesson Chad made very small tweaks and he swing is back to normal. The knowledge of mechanics and passion he has for his students success is second to none! #yougetwhatyouearn“
    Mike DeJulius
  • “There is no argument Chad is the best in the business when it comes to movement and mechanics. But his ability to connect and explain in language his athletes understand is why they succeed and excel.”
    Nick Byorum

  • I’ve worked with Coach Chad for about 3 years and I’ve only seen improvement.


    Aside from all the help with my swing the most progress I saw was on the mental side. Chad instills confidence in me and has continued to push me to be the best version of myself on and off the field. From a baseball standpoint it’s been wonderful. The progress has been immense and my swing has continued to progress. I can’t say enough about the help he’s given.”
    Nick Orr
    College Baseball Player
quad cities hitting instructor

  • I went through Coach Joe’s throwing programs both my junior and senior years of high school.

    The concepts we covered were the foundation for what I used as a collegiate player and now as a Coach in the Rangers Organization.”
    Zach Woolard
    Pitching Coach, Texas Rangers Organization
    Dominican Republic

“Can’t thank Chad enough for the work he has put into our son! He really takes it to the next level breaking down the technique and applying it for each individual. Also, absolutely love getting to watch and learn right along side our guy to bring home drills we can work on together.”

Jordan Long
  • “Chad does an amazing job working with the kids through fundamental development! both of my boys are learning the proper techniques needed to not only be their best but to lead their respective teams will hitting nukes in the process! EXTREMELY RECOMMENDED!”
    Neil Vining
  • “We love the one-on-one attention and swing analysis Chad provides. He spends time breaking down all aspects of hitting while also improving kids confidence in themselves. We look forward to our time at lessons. We’re on team Chad.”
    Brittney Benson
  • “Chad is the absolute best! The way he personalizes, and individualizes lessons for each of his clients is the best I’ve ever seen. He takes his time breaking down each step, and he communicates effectively in a way that the kid fully understands what he is teaching. Chad also educates parents, and encourages their involvement as well, which allows parents to reinforce the lessons at home or on the field. Chad shows each kid that he believes in them, and encourages them to go earn the goals they have set for themselves. We have been to other hitting coaches, and never saw much change in our son, but after just a couple of lessons with Chad, our son drastically improved, and had success all season, which was all because of Chad! We highly recommend Chad, and are so thankful for him!”
    Erin Colleen
  • “Known his wife for years so when our paths crossed a few years back, I had a pretty good idea what we would gain from our interactions. I was wrong. It was all that and more. To put it mildly, Chad is the mad scientist to any baseball opponent on any field. ABSOLUTE genius when it comes to connecting with children and just a thoroughly good dude all together. Easiest, non biased and 100% honest way to describe Chad? Whoever is in the same room as him, spend more time listening than you do talking. Trust me, you’ll be thankful later down the road.”
    Laramie Kline

  • My son has been working with Chad for over 3 years and his growth has been tremendous.

    Chad does an extraordinary job learning each player, breaking down their swing, and then building lesson plans and focus areas based on strengths and weaknesses. While there are certain mechanics of a swing that every player should focus on nailing, he doesn’t want to build robots and emphasizes that no 2 players’ swings will look exactly alike.. and that is perfectly fine. He also does a great job at explaining the “whys” behind teaching what he does and engages with both player and parent to build a deeper understanding. He not only allows, but encourages parent participation so that what he teaches in lessons can be brought home for player/parent to continue building upon between lessons. In addition to hitting, Chad also offers pitching lessons and focuses on mechanical instruction that is being taught at the highest levels of the game. My son plays a high level of baseball and under Chad’s instruction has developed into one of the most elite pitchers in our region. Highly recommend Chad and Gap to Gap baseball for hitting and pitching instruction!!”
    Andrew Herr
    Quad City Client

  • Chad with Gap to Gap Baseball is fantastic to work with!

    He really understands how to connect with the athlete. His approach of being a “hitting” coach not only teaches fundamentals of a baseball swing but also teaches approach at the plate. My son looks forward to each session as he is excited to learn. We then take those drills home and continue to put the work in. I appreciate the instruction as I have been a coach for a long time. I learn with each lesson as well. I would highly recommend Gap to Gap Baseball. The coaching is top-notch.”
    Justin Heckroth
    Quad City Client
gap to gap baseball reviews

“My 13 year old has been taking batting and pitching lessons since January. Chad has been instrumental in helping implement changes in my son’s form. Chad’s understanding and love of baseball makes him unlike any coach I’ve ever experienced before. My son looks forward to these sessions every week! Thanks Chad!”

Erica Cornett Hawk
  • “My son’s had 4 lessons with Chad and his swing already looks better. Put that aside, with travel baseball being so intense, it’s easy to lose focus that this is still, just a game. There’s something to be said about having fun in “youth sports.” My son enjoys every lesson, absorbs every detail, and always looks forward to the next one. Chad does a great job of keeping him focused while having a good time. His confidence is increasing, and his love of the game is growing, naturally. I’m looking forward to watching his at bats this summer! Can’t recommend Gap2Gap enough.”
    Michael Bitterman
  • “Chad has been great for my boys ages 9 and 7! He really breaks things down and explains the “why”. Our boys are polar opposites and he coaches them completely different and meets them where they need it. We have seen huge strides not only in batting but in overall confidence. So thankful for Gap to Gap baseball!
    Katie Carter
  • “I’ve been around Baseball my entire life and I’m extremely impressed with what we have learned from Chad. His ability to communicate and have these hitters “feel” correct mechanics is impressive. Telling a young player what to do is one thing. Teaching them how to “feel” it so it can be replicated at the plate is much more challenging but leads to much better results at the plate. Very excited to continue our sessions. If you have any age player and you want to see improvements at the plate I suggest you reach out to Gap to Gap.”
    John Cornish
  • “Very detail oriented, extremely professional approach. Chad was exactly what I was looking for. Great communication with the athletes, and well articulated with the younger one. We are lucky to have been able to get in the schedule.”
    Mikey Loy

  • My son has been working with Chad for over a year or so.

    It has been an absolute pleasure working with him and seeing my Sons Confidence and Improvements at the plate. His Love for baseball has grown. Chad is definitely a skilled professional, well knowledgeable in baseball and dedicated to providing top-notch COACHING to his students. Gap to Gap has developed a great relationship with my son and our family. It definitely has exceeded our expectations. My son looks forward to training with Chad weekly.”
    Anthony Johnson
    Quad City Client

  • We met Chad at the Little League State Tournament last year and were impressed with his commitment to the players he was training.

    Since then, my son has started working with him and really enjoys their weekly sessions.
    Chad has a great way of explaining things clearly and keeps the training fun, which has been great for building my son’s confidence. His remote training option has been particularly useful. We send in videos of my son’s swings, and Chad gives back a detailed and helpful breakdown. This allows my son to process the feedback at his own pace and revisit the advice as needed. I’m really glad we found Chad and started sessions. He’s made a significant difference in my son’s approach to the game. We’re looking forward to seeing his improvements at the plate, and I appreciate the positive coach-player relationship they’ve developed.”
    Josh Webb
    Remote Client
davenport hitting coach

“My boys have been hitting with Chad Funderburk and Gap to Gap Baseball for the last two seasons. They both play major level caliber baseball and working with Chad has set them up for success both on and off the field. Chad’s direction is successful because of his dedication to the details of each individual player’s approach aided by his knowledge of swing mechanics combined with his effortless ability to provide technical feedback on swing mechanics in a way that allows the boys to understand and implement. We highly recommend Gap to Gap Baseball and Chad Funderburk!”

Jacob Everhart
  • “When our son started hitting with Gap to Gap baseball his approach at the plate was to make contact. He was not having competitive at bats and lacked a presence in the batters box. The Coaching at Gap to Gap Baseball recognized his flaw on our first session and immediately started to show him what was wrong with his approach/swing. The coaching was very patient, detail oriented and focused on each baseball swing being competitive. End of the day I am confident my son is going to be a better person, athlete and teammate. No doubt he will have more QAB’s! Thanks Chad.”
    Jamie Wagaman
  • “Both of my Boys have been working with Chad for 4 months and the improvement we have seen in both is tremendous. Chad not only works on the physical aspect of baseball with them but also the mental aspect of it. Making sure they understand why they do something or why they feel something in their swing. Great guy and is genuinely interested in their life outside of baseball also.”
    Todd Richards
  • “Selfishly, I don’t want to give Gap to Gap and Chad a raving review because WE want his open slots and don’t want to share him with too many others! But….he happens to be one of the best around. Chad’s knowledge of how the body works, how the body generates torque and power, how the position of the body and direction of the eyes have an effect on hitting and throwing, and so much more, is far beyond what your typical hitting or pitching coach can offer. Chad is able to provide video assessment of all aspects of hitting and throwing and then make a plan that is specific to the player’s individual needs. Each week my son looks forward to hearing the next thing that Chad has to teach him!”
    Jessica Dorner
  • “”My son has been working with Chad at Gap to Gap for over a year and we can’t say enough about my son’s progress and Chad as an instructor. As an educator myself, I am always impressed with Chad’s pedagogy in teaching the art of hitting. Lessons are structured much the same way a lesson in a classroom would be structured. Chad makes adjustments on the fly to motivate his students to do their best in each session.
    Chad is extremely knowledgeable about the mechanics of the baseball swing, identifying areas needing growth, and utilizing strategies and drills that keep hitters engaged and wanting more. My son has transformed from a contact hitter with little to no pop, to one of the best hitters on his team. Chad has taught not only proper mechanics, but also a proper approach at the plate. My son leaves lessons motivated to put in the work to improve thanks to Chad’s motivational approach. In the world of baseball lessons and instructors, you would be hard pressed to find a hitting instructor with the skills and knowledge of the swing that Chad has. We’ve tried a few instructors, and we are very fortunate to have found the best! We can’t recommend Gap to Gap Baseball enough!””
    Jay Nelson

  • Joe is one of the most passionate baseball guys you will come across.


    Having known him for ten years, I can sincerely say his strongest attribute as a coach or instructor is his open-mindedness to the latest ideas in the game. He is able to do this without overlooking the long-standing staples of baseball, which in my mind is the ideal approach to development. His combination of a progressive mindset with a fundamental emphasis make him a great choice for a baseball player looking to improve their game. Most importantly, he will maximize the player’s experience by creating an enjoyable atmosphere and striving to build a genuine relationship.”

    Jim Leggett
    Pitching Coach Appalachian State University
- [ ] Jim Leggett Pitching Coach Appalachian State University 

“I’ve been bringing my son Ryker to Chad for only a few short months for hitting and some pitching, and to say he is finding success is an understatement. We’ve been to several other trainers, most just go through the motions. What separates Chad from all the rest is his approach to my son as a unique individual. He explains what he teaches, to both of us, is open to questions and gives instant feedback. I can’t wait to see even more success come my son’s way.”

Kevin Michael Sanders

“We feel very fortunate and excited to be woking with Chad. We knew right away that it was going to be a great fit for Sam. Chad has a deep understanding of swing mechanics and movement that he’s communicating in a simple way. We have seen quick results by identifying the root causes of the swing issues. It’s been a fun, positive, and very productive experience! We highly recommend Gap to Gap! Thanks Chad!”

Toby Kurtis