What Former OC Hawks Are Saying
Former Players Who Love Our Developmental Baseball Program.
“As a young player and a former member of the OC Hawks Baseball program, I would have my mom drive me up 70 miles from San Diego to Dana Point to meet up with Coach Mark.
I felt that the 2-hours spent with him would make me a better player …and it absolutely did! What stands out most to me was how patient he is with each of his players. He took such a humble approach to his coaching, wanting nothing more than to see us all succeed.
What I remember most is the powerful “Life Lesson” stories he would share with us after a win or even a loss, one in particular being, the story of the White Dog vs. Black Dog. I don’t remember games of going 4-4 or 0-4, but that story sure got me thru the highs and lows of my journey.
As a result of hard work, I managed to go on to earn a D1 College Baseball scholarship at the University of Nevada, and afterwards I signed a Minor League contract with the MLB Chicago Cubs. While I am now finished playing pro baseball, those life lessons will remain with me forever.”
Grant Fennell – University of Nevada
MLB Chicago Cubs Minor League Player
“I began working with Coach Przybylak when I was 12 years old. His baseball instruction was truly second to none. His attention to detail, ability to adapt to the different learning styles of his athletes, and emphasis on the mental side of the sport set him apart from other instructors.
I relied on his expertise for over a decade, absorbing his expertise to improve my game. He was a huge reason why I attended an Ivy League school as a recruited baseball player and went on to play two seasons of professional baseball. I never stopped relying on the mechanics, approaches, and “feels” that Coach Przybylak taught me over the years.
Beyond coaching baseball, Coach Przybylak is the highest quality kind of person, role model, and teacher. Coach preached…“Baseball is a sport of failure – even the very best hitters fail 7 out of 10 times”. Then he uses these times as opportunities to teach, and he does so with grace, empathy, passion, and a refreshing exuberance. The very first time I met Coach Przybylak, he had me write down on a card what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Of course, my answer was a professional baseball player. I hung that card in my room and looked at it every day. When I secured a spot on a Division 1 college baseball team, I remembered that card. When I was drafted by the Miami Marlins, I remembered that card. For years, that card was a consistent reminder of the goal I was working toward, and it was powerful.
This is just one example of the life lessons that Coach taught me, my teammates, and his other athletes. He emphasizes positive mentality, team cohesion, and having fun all while reminding his athletes to keep the bigger picture in mind. Using baseball as his platform, Coach Przybylak teaches his athletes to be loving, caring, passionate, and empathetic human beings. He is the kind of person I would want coaching and teaching my kids.
To this day, though my baseball career is over, I rely on Coach Przybylak as a friend, mentor, and advisor. There is no other person on earth I would rather have coaching my child than Coach Przybylak.
Harrison White – Yale University
MLB Miami Marlins Minor League Player
What the Pro’s Are Saying
Former MLB Players Who Love Our Baseball Program.
I have been with the OC Hawks since 2011 and I have seen Coach Mark teach many life lessons through the game of baseball. Whether it’s “Life Rocks”, “Finish the Drill”, or “Faith or Fear’, Coach Mark pours his heart and soul into each and every kid that comes through the program…including my own son Andrew, who has played for Coach Mark for 7 years. As a dad, I couldn’t be happier.
Coach Mark has been instrumental in teaching my son about life as well as baseball. He has given him many nuggets to take on his journey. I believe in it so much that I have continued to be a part of the OC Hawks since Andrew graduated in 2018. I love what the Hawks are about and I am proud to continue to be a coach in the Hawks program.
Mike Lamb
11-year MLB Player
“I’ve known Coach Przybylak now for well over a decade. It’s very rare that you can have someone who has a great depth of knowledge of the game, and can share it and transfer it into his players. He is also someone who cares deeply about his players as he sets a vision for them to grow up to be great men, and not a vision that’s just for the next short season. Coach Przybylak is a pretty rare Coach in the baseball world, and I strongly feel that any player that decides to commit to play with him and his OC Hawks program would be making a very wise decision.”
Paul Reddick
Paul Reddick Baseball – 90MPH Club – Author, Owner, Director
“I was blessed to play 16 years in Major League Baseball, and since retirement, I’ve spent the past 11 years coaching Youth Travel Baseball in Southern California. Out of all of the men that I have shared a baseball field with, Coach Mark stands at the very top of my list due to his knowledge of the game, his passion in teaching it, and his deep level of desire to grow the game but not only producing successful ball players, but just as important, great young MEN! I am a fan of Coach Mark and OC Hawks Baseball!”
Mike Sweeney
KC Royals Hall of Fame – 5-time MLB All Star
“I had the great pleasure of coaching a full year with Coach Przybylak in 2007, and began a lifelong friendship with a man I now consider family. What makes a coach great is not only their knowledge of the game, but more important the ability that they have to connect with their player. Coach Mark understands to the highest extent the components of the game, and he has the ability to connect his message with players of all ages and skill levels.
Playing 12 years for 5 MLB organizations, I was around many great coaches. I consider Coach Przybylak one of the greats, one I would trust with my own son. If you’re looking for your child to learn the game, and take their game and approach to the highest level, I would highly recommend playing for Coach Mark Przybylak.”
Ryan Lehr
12 Year Pro Player – Founder of “The Pure Swing”
“I’ve been fortunate to coach and scout baseball all over the world. And my days spent on the field or in the cages as an OC Hawk Coach have never left me. In fact, it’s impacted me tremendously. It’s here where I first learned the balance of persistence and patience in coaching with Coach Mark, and am eternally grateful. —Persistence in achieving greatness on and off the field each day. – Patience in the delicate role a coach leads while guiding his young student-athlete’s confidence and future.
His program impacts these young OC Hawk players from an early age on, as he works hard in building personal relationships with them and their families with smart, passionate, healthy, and highly intellectual coaching. As a result, so many of the OC Hawks we coached together went on to enjoy and experience very successful high school, college and pro careers.Andthat’s something that didn’t happen just by accident.It’s something I tell Coach Mark I’m extremely proud of.
Today I consider Coach Mark my lifelong mentor and friend. I believe he becomes the very same for every player that wears the OC Hawk uniform.The OC Hawks has a long tradition of being a premier youth baseball development program. If you’re serious about finding a program dedicated to building a future for a student-athlete and a future success story on and off the field, then trust Coach Mark and the OC Hawks process, program and tradition.”
Andy Berglund
MLB International Scout – Manager South Africa National Team
Are You Ready to Join OC Hawks?
We Welcome You to Call Us or Click the Button Below and Explore the Possibilities. We Think You’ll Love All of Us at OC Hawks Travel Baseball Club and Our Winning Program!
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Travel Baseball?
A travel team is a youth sports team that plays at an elite level. These teams travel, often long distances and out of state, to games, competitions, and/or tournaments (hence the name). Usually, these teams are part of a private or club sports program, not a recreational league or one affiliated with a school.
There is almost always a try-out or audition process to join the team. And there is no guarantee of playing time (unlike in recreational leagues where all kids will usually get a chance to play regardless of ability). Travel teams are also sometimes called elite teams, select teams, club teams, or tournament teams.
Why Travel Baseball Rocks
Young athletes can reach a point where they are bored with rec league play. A travel team may be the best way for them to learn new skills, meet expert coaches, progress in their sport, and have fun in the process. Kids need to be challenged so they can grow. On a competitive travel team, players gain great experience in team play and sportsmanship.
They also need to learn more about taking care of their body to keep it strong and healthy through conditioning, nutrition, and good sleep habits.1 And, of course, traveling can be a great way for both families and teams to bond through shared experiences, like meals or just swimming in the hotel pool. Kids are exposed to new cities and sometimes get a chance to play tourist.
How to Choose a Travel Baseball Team
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Travel Baseball vs. Little League
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Is Travel Baseball Worth It?
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Contact OC Hawks
An OC Hawks Staff Member Will Get Back to You Shortly
Send Us a Message…
We’d Love to Hear from You!
Email, Text or Give Us a Call
Email Address
COACH MARK PRZYBYLAK
coach@prokidsacademy.com
Location
Field Practices are held at Chapparosa Park, Laguna Niguel, CA
Batting Practice Location: Laguna Beach Batting Cages 2003 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA
Phone (text also) Number
To Sign Up or if you have questions:
(949) 874-7764