CALGARY CITY ROYALS
BASEBALL CLUB
COACHES
TONY MESSER
HEAD COACH
Coaching Team: Colin Grierson, Kevin Campion
Tony Messer has been coaching baseball for more than 25 years. After being named as an All-Conference outfielder as a sophomore, Tony played for Team Alberta and was en route to the National Baseball program when he had his career cut short by shoulder surgery. He immediately began coaching in the Team Alberta system and shortly thereafter was named head coach of Team Alberta, winning bronze at the National Youth Selects Championships and again at the Canada Summer Games, Alberta's first 2 medals in baseball at that level.
Tony worked for several years with the Major League Scouting Bureau, identifying several Canadian prospects, some that went on to professional baseball careers at the highest level. He has presented at numerous coaching clinics and conferences and is a NCCP Level 3 Baseball Coach.
DUSTIN CIEPLISKI
HEAD COACH
Coaching Team: Ryan Schieman, David Trann
My love for baseball began, like most, at an early age playing baseball with friends. I still have memories of pride and excitement in plays made and disappointment in plays missed. I have fond memories of the role models that committed to coaching, mentoring, and teaching us about how to be successful in baseball, but more importantly, in life. It is still what motivates my coaching today.
Coaching has been a part of me for over 30 years. I started coaching youth sports during my college years, coached and lead businesses for the last 25 years, specifically having coached baseball going on 10 years. Although the focus of leadership changes from adults to youth, the joy of experiencing shared growth and improvement is the same. Coaching and leadership is about putting in the work, setting the expectations and living those ideals.
Putting in the work, requires training. I have completed training in both the NCCP (National Coaching Certification Program) and the PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance). The programs provide both a coaching philosophy and the technical instruction of baseball. Continuing to learn is an excellent coaching tool.
Setting the expectations, requires open communication and honesty. I strive to provide a safe and trusted environment for players and families to ask questions, accept our mistakes, and learn with an open mind. Our effort in this area is how we grow and improve.
Living the ideals, requires role modelling the Royals values of Respect, Compete and Fun. I look forward to spending time with players and families, coaching and leading these concepts. It really is what makes the Royals family what we are. I truly am honored to be part of it.
JUDD CLIFFORD
HEAD COACH
Coaching Team: Mike Tanton
Coaching, specifically baseball, is a passion of mine. I have coached Little League and teenage divisions for more than 10 years now. I started Coaching T-Ball and continued to be a member of the Coaching teams through all levels of Little League, including All Star teams with first and second place finishes in Provincials. Last year I coached 15U Royals AA White.
I have held several positions on the Board of Directors for Rocky Mountain Little League and continue to coach within the organization.
I have completed coaching courses run through the Okotoks Dawgs organization and am currently working on my NCCP Coaching Certificates.
Prior to coaching baseball, I worked as a Golf Pro and played AA hockey.
My goal this year is to help our athletes improve their baseball skills, make lifelong friends, and further their love of the game.
I am looking forward to another exciting season of Royals Baseball!
ANOTHER COACH
DO YOU NEED MORE?
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. Let your users get to know you.