California Non-Profit Youth Baseball
South Bay Blasters
A Non-Profit Development Baseball Program Led by David Wright
Developing players, character, and a love of the game, the right way.
Who We Are
A player-development team, not a trophy-chasing one
We build the foundation today that pays off now and in the future. We trust that consistent, quality development leads to enduring success and a program built to last.
Core Mission
Develop players to be successful high school baseball players.
A team focused on player development, not chasing trophies. We build the foundation today that pays off now and down the road.
Our Vision
Build foundational skills and character, while having fun.
Consistent, quality development leads to enduring success, and to a standout program built to last.
What We Build
A foundation of skills and character
All while teaching life lessons through baseball.
Strong Work Ethic
Built while emphasizing mechanics and fundamentals.
Athleticism
Well-rounded, capable athletes.
Baseball IQ
Players who truly understand the game.
Quality Over Quantity
High-value reps, not just going through the motions.
Coachability
Open to feedback and to real growth.
Life Lessons
Character and habits taught through baseball.
How We Develop
Core development pillars
Position Agnosticism
Players rotate through multiple positions to build Baseball IQ and athleticism, rather than specializing too early.
Process Over Results
A hard-hit line drive that turns into an out is a success through the process. We build the foundation.
Quality Over Quantity
Pro-level coaching focused on high-quality reps at a sustainable pace to prevent burnout. Yes, we believe in an off-season.
Not Dwelling on Mistakes
Baseball is a game of failure. The best players to ever play the game fail 7 out of 10 times.
Multiple Sports, One Baseball Team
We encourage all sports for complete development. Prioritize us, but play everything else too.
Our Why
Too often, youth travel sports have stopped being about the best interests of children. It has become for-profit, and our kids become the “product.”
There is a time for traveling to other states, winning rings, and being a ranked program. But it is far more important to develop and properly teach the game. Development ball should not be the entire focus of the family unit every weekend at all-day tournaments.
About Us
The people behind the Blasters
South Bay Blasters was founded by David Wright and Brett Henry, who wanted a program built around one idea: develop kids the right way.
David Wright
Founder & Program Director / Coach
Seven-time All-Star & former New York Mets Captain
David was born and raised in Virginia before making his way west to the South Bay, where his wife Molly was raised. Together they are raising three kids, Olivia, Madison, and Brooks, and most of David’s weekends are still spent on the ball field, just like his playing days, except now he is the one coaching. He and Brett coached Olivia and Lila’s soccer team for 12 seasons despite knowing almost nothing about the sport, and today he is a coach of both Madison’s softball team and Brooks’s baseball team. Coaching the Blasters is simply an extension of what he already loves: being on the field with kids and teaching the game the right way. Read his full playing career in Coaches.
Brett Henry
Founder & General Manager
USC MBA • Real Estate Founder
Long before he was the Blasters’ General Manager, Brett was a South Bay dad with a full coaching calendar. He and his wife Jolyn are raising three kids here, Lila, John, and Harrison, and Brett has coached most of their teams across soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. He and David first teamed up as coaches on the soccer field, with their daughters Olivia and Lila. A USC MBA who founded his own real estate company in 2007, Brett now handles the business operations that keep the program running. For Brett, this is personal. He believes profit should never be the driving force in children’s sports. The Blasters are about development, not profit, and that difference is everything.
Meet the Team
Program leadership
David Wright
Head Coach 6U / Coach 8U
Former New York Mets Captain & Third Baseman
David Wright spent all 14 of his Major League seasons (2004-2018) with the New York Mets, becoming the face of the franchise at third base. A seven-time All-Star, two-time Gold Glove and two-time Silver Slugger winner, he was named the fourth captain in team history in 2013 and retired as the Mets’ all-time leader in hits, RBIs, runs, and doubles. His work ethic, leadership, and class made him one of the most beloved players in Mets history, and in July 2025 the Mets retired his No. 5 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame. He embodies the standard we point to: play hard, play the right way, and respect what it means to be part of a team.
- 7× All-Star
- 2× Gold Glove
- 2× Silver Slugger
- No. 5 Retired
- Mets HOF
Gabe Rodriguez
Head Coach • 8U Team
M.S. Kinesiology, Coaching & Athletic Administration
Born and raised in Central California, Gabe began coaching in 2013, helping his former high school win its league championship. He earned a Kinesiology degree and a teaching credential at CSU Long Beach while working as a strength coach, then a Master’s in Kinesiology focused on Coaching and Athletic Administration. In 2022 he joined Mira Costa Varsity Baseball as an assistant while serving as head coach for Steel Baseball, traveling to the Cooperstown tournament and working camps nationwide. Since 2023 he has helped lead the Loyola High School program, where he is currently a Varsity Bench Coach. He specializes in catchers, outfielders, and hitters, and leads strength and conditioning to develop players’ foundational motor skills.
- M.S. Kinesiology
- Loyola HS Varsity
- Catchers / OF / Hitters
The Year
Season calendar
Main development season.
Baseball rest, agility, and athlete training.
Slower development cycle.
Complete off-season and All-Stars.
Support Us
Back a non-profit built for the kids
South Bay Blasters is a California non-profit, currently registering as a 501(c)(3) with the IRS. We charge no monthly fees. The program runs on the generosity of our community, which keeps costs low for every family and keeps the focus where it belongs: developing players the right way.
A true non-profit
Every dollar goes back into the program: coaching, equipment, field time, and keeping the game affordable. No profit motive, and no kids treated as a product.
Make a Donation
Give once or spread it across the nine-month season. Your gift directly lowers what families pay and funds the development our players deserve.
DonateBecome a Sponsor
Local businesses can sponsor the Blasters. Sponsorships reduce program costs for every family and put your name in front of the South Bay community.
Sponsor the TeamSouth Bay Blasters has been granted federal non-profit status. Your donation may be tax deductible. We do not provide tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance tailored to your situation.
Partnership
Parent expectations & communication
The 24-Hour Rule & Open Door
Please wait 24 hours when possible after a game before discussing concerns with coaches, and bring them to the staff rather than other parents. David and Gabe welcome questions about your child and are open to feedback, and they will always give you honest, transparent answers in return.
Communication Channels
Team updates and communication run through GameChanger. We are finalizing a stats-keeping platform to keep families in the loop.
Volunteer Opportunities
We will ask for parent volunteers to help with practice setup, snacks, scorekeeping, and more. Families rotate each month to share the load.
Photo Gallery
On The Field
Snapshots from practices, games, and life with the Blasters. More to come as our season gets underway.
Get in Touch
Let’s build something great
Want to scrimmage or play our team, request information, explore sponsorship, or just ask a question? Reach out and we will get right back to you.
- Scrimmage / Play Us
- Program information
- Sponsorship
- General questions