Grand Slam U.S.A. offers 17 instructors. Our lead instructor is Jim Hallman. Jim has an extensive background working with little league,
high school, college and professional players. He has 20 years experience as an instructor. Jim has worked camps, clinics, and individual
lessons throughout the country. He also brings 10 years of experience as a college baseball coach and 5 years as a professional scout. As
owner and lead instructor of Grand Slam U.S.A. for the past 13 years Jim has averaged 55 hours of lessons per week each year.
All Grand Slam U.S.A. instructors have a minimum of 4 years college playing experience, and/or coaching experience, a year of instructional
training in Grand Slam U.S.A., experience working with small groups and teams, continuing education throughout the year working camps
around the country, going to sports conventions and working with local High School teams during the summer.
At Grand Slam U.S.A., we believe that it’s not what you’ve done, but how well you evaluate and communicate that will help a player
improve their skills. Our ultimate goal is to help them get to the next level.
high school, college and professional players. He has 20 years experience as an instructor. Jim has worked camps, clinics, and individual
lessons throughout the country. He also brings 10 years of experience as a college baseball coach and 5 years as a professional scout. As
owner and lead instructor of Grand Slam U.S.A. for the past 13 years Jim has averaged 55 hours of lessons per week each year.
All Grand Slam U.S.A. instructors have a minimum of 4 years college playing experience, and/or coaching experience, a year of instructional
training in Grand Slam U.S.A., experience working with small groups and teams, continuing education throughout the year working camps
around the country, going to sports conventions and working with local High School teams during the summer.
At Grand Slam U.S.A., we believe that it’s not what you’ve done, but how well you evaluate and communicate that will help a player
improve their skills. Our ultimate goal is to help them get to the next level.
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| Instructors |
Beau Hampton
Beau has been at Grand Slam for seven years. He played at Division II Rockhurst University for two years, then transferred to Division I Iowa State
University where he played from 1999-2001. As a coach, Beau coached the 9th and 10th grade baseball team at Ames High School from 2001-2004. From
2004-2006 he was the head coach at Des Moines Roosevelt High School. He is an instructor for all areas.
Beau has been at Grand Slam for seven years. He played at Division II Rockhurst University for two years, then transferred to Division I Iowa State
University where he played from 1999-2001. As a coach, Beau coached the 9th and 10th grade baseball team at Ames High School from 2001-2004. From
2004-2006 he was the head coach at Des Moines Roosevelt High School. He is an instructor for all areas.
Dave Hartman
Dave has been an instructor at Grand Slam for six years. He graduated from Creston High School, then played at Southwestern Community College for two
years. He then was a two year starter at Dana College. Dave has been coaching high school baseball for 23 years. He has coached at Diagonal, Carroll, Don
Bosco, Corning, and West Central Valley. He also coached at both Southwestern Community College and the University of Dubuque. Dave currently
coaches at Southeast Polk High School.
Dave has been an instructor at Grand Slam for six years. He graduated from Creston High School, then played at Southwestern Community College for two
years. He then was a two year starter at Dana College. Dave has been coaching high school baseball for 23 years. He has coached at Diagonal, Carroll, Don
Bosco, Corning, and West Central Valley. He also coached at both Southwestern Community College and the University of Dubuque. Dave currently
coaches at Southeast Polk High School.
Jim Barclay
Jim has been at Grand Slam for four years. He attended and played baseball at Starmont High School. He was a four year starter at Central College. He has
coached the Grand Slam Fall League for three years.
Jim has been at Grand Slam for four years. He attended and played baseball at Starmont High School. He was a four year starter at Central College. He has
coached the Grand Slam Fall League for three years.
Missey Allen
Missey has been an instructor at Grand Slam for ten years. She attended and played softball at Dowling Catholic High School, and went on to play at Central
College. She has coached high school softball for ten years, was a junior high coach for five years, and a pitching coach at Dowling for two years.
Missey has been an instructor at Grand Slam for ten years. She attended and played softball at Dowling Catholic High School, and went on to play at Central
College. She has coached high school softball for ten years, was a junior high coach for five years, and a pitching coach at Dowling for two years.
Spencer Black
Spencer has been an instructor at Grand Slam for four years. He played baseball at Urbandale High School, and then at K-State and the University of
Northern Iowa. He has coached fall leagues and multiple camps. Spencer is a good pitching instructor.
Spencer has been an instructor at Grand Slam for four years. He played baseball at Urbandale High School, and then at K-State and the University of
Northern Iowa. He has coached fall leagues and multiple camps. Spencer is a good pitching instructor.
Garrett Hawkins
Garrett has been at Grand Slam for five years. He played four years at Valley High School and then two years at Grandview College. In 2006 he was the
head freshman coach at Hoover High School. He is currently the assistant varsity coach at Dowling Catholic High School. He also is a student assistant for
the Grand View College baseball team.
Garrett has been at Grand Slam for five years. He played four years at Valley High School and then two years at Grandview College. In 2006 he was the
head freshman coach at Hoover High School. He is currently the assistant varsity coach at Dowling Catholic High School. He also is a student assistant for
the Grand View College baseball team.
Jon Thovson
Jon has been an instructor at Grand Slam for three years. Jon played baseball at Mason City High School. He then attended and played baseball at Iowa
Lakes Community College 2003-2004, and at Mount Mercy College in 2005. Jon was the head coach at Central City High School from 1998-1999. In 2002
he was the assistant varsity coach for Linn Mar High School. From 2006-2008 he was an assistant coach for Dowling Catholic High School. Jon is currently
an associate scout for the Chicago White Sox.
Jon has been an instructor at Grand Slam for three years. Jon played baseball at Mason City High School. He then attended and played baseball at Iowa
Lakes Community College 2003-2004, and at Mount Mercy College in 2005. Jon was the head coach at Central City High School from 1998-1999. In 2002
he was the assistant varsity coach for Linn Mar High School. From 2006-2008 he was an assistant coach for Dowling Catholic High School. Jon is currently
an associate scout for the Chicago White Sox.
Cristen Clark
Cristen is a Prairie City native in her eighth year as a pitching instructor and first year at Grand Slam. She attended and played softball at Dowling Catholic
High School, and went on to play at Drake University. She currently resides in Runnells, Iowa with her husband Mike and daughter Halle.
Cristen is a Prairie City native in her eighth year as a pitching instructor and first year at Grand Slam. She attended and played softball at Dowling Catholic
High School, and went on to play at Drake University. She currently resides in Runnells, Iowa with her husband Mike and daughter Halle.