Welcome to SLU
Jeff Hipps brings over 30 years of baseball coaching expertise to Starting Line Up. His experience spans the high school level, Division 1 collegiate baseball, and includes his role as a professional scout for the Colorado Rockies. Through his extensive network within the baseball community, he has established connections at every level of the sport. As the SLU facility expanded, Jeff and his team successfully managed a travel ball and tournament team for a decade. Many of the athletes who participated in Starting Line Up have progressed to play for local high schools, with some even advancing to compete at the collegiate level.
Leveraging his background as a scout and coach, Jeff employs a customized approach to baseball training. He takes the time to evaluate each athlete's physical capabilities, movement patterns, eagerness to learn, along with past performance. The SLU philosophy highlights the significance of linking practice with real-game situations, emphasizing situational hitting, adaptability to various pitching styles and speeds, and helping shape a positive mental attitude towards the good and bad results that the game of baseball presents.
Justin Maffei
In 2013, Justin was selected as an outfielder by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 25th round of the MLB draft where he played for five years, finishing his professional career at the AAA level. In college, Justin played Division I baseball at University of San Francisco where he made the WCC first team in 2012 and WCC all-tournament team in 2013. During his high school baseball career at Junipero Serra High School, Justin hit .405 and led his team to the CCS championship in 2009. He also made the WCAL second team in 2008 and 2009. Justin now offers private instruction at Starting Line Up Training Facility.
Phil Caufield
The Washington Nationals selected Phil as an infielder in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft. He also played independent baseball in the Atlantic League. American Association, and Frontier League. Phil continued his career with the Tigres de Qiuntana Roo in the Mexican League. While playing in college at Loyola Marymount he was selected to the First Team All WCC in 2016 and 2017.
During his time at Burlingame High School, he made the First Team All PAL in 2013. Phil currently coaches at Skyline College. He is available for private instruction and team training.
Tom Caufield
Tom pitched professionally for five seasons in the independent Atlantic League, Pioneer League, and Frontier League. He played Division I college baseball at University of San Francisco. While at Burlingame High School, Tom was named the Peninsula Athletic League Pitcher of the year in 2013. He currently works as an
Assistant Coach at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. Tom is available for private instruction and team training.
Thomas "Hawk" Jacquez
In 1997, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Hawk as a pitcher in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball draft. He worked his way through the Phillies A, AA, and AAA clubs, where he posted a 2.96 ERA in 13 games in 2000 and a 1.98 ERA in 35 games in 2001. Hawk was called up to the big leagues that same year. In 2002, Hawk had season ending Tommy John. He retired from professional baseball in 2004. Hawk earned his B.A. and Master’s Degree from University of San Francsico, and holds certifications from the National Association of Sports Medicine, Titleist Performance Institute, The National Pitching Association, Velocity Plus Arm Care. Hawk grew up in Stockton, CA where he played baseball at Lincoln High School. He is a member of the Stockton Hall of Fame and Stockton Mexican Hall of Fame. Hawk and his father are one of only 200 father –son combinations to play Major League Baseball. Hawk provides private pitching instruction.