Austin grew up playing baseball and has been passionate about the sport his entire life. He’s another Chesterfield native, attending Matoaca High and playing for RISE Baseball under the direction of Chris Martin. Austin went on to play baseball at Marymount University where he majored in Health Sciences while also being named to all-conference and all-state teams.
Since graduating in 2019, Austin has coached at RISE. He loves helping young players develop their talent and improve in the game of baseball.
Chris is an innovative entrepreneur in central Virginia who received his Economics degree in 2011 from Hampden-Sydney College. In 2013, he took over ownership of small, but growing baseball academy in Midlothian and has since turned RISE Baseball into one of the premier academies in central Virginia. Chris and his staff have trained professional, collegiate and young athletes of all ages.
In his free time, Chris loves spending time with his wife Heather and son Easton. Much of the great entertainment that the Chili Peppers offer is inspired by his love for a fun and family-friendly atmosphere and Chris knows it’s not just baseball, but great food, drinks and fan engagement that will make the Tri-Cities Chili Pepper fans for life.
Jason has always been an enthusiastic fan of all sports. Despite his love for baseball, he realized at an early age he was TERRIBLE at playing it, so he focused on soccer, surfing and snowboarding where he is slightly less terrible. Jason discovered his love for PA and entertaining solely by accident one day by agreeing to announce at a local little league game because no one else wanted to do it. He found out that it brought joy to the fans and players and from there it has been all about fun and creating great experiences for people. A passion had been born!
Jason in his free time has no free time. He has 2 sons that play high level travel baseball and school baseball in Dinwiddie, VA and 1 daughter that gets what ever she wants at all times. He and his wife, Kelly, stay on the move and embrace their controlled chaos.
As a professional nomad, Rob has traveled the country for education and experience in the pursuit of career dreams and aspirations. With a background in higher education and entertainment talent management, Rob recently transitioned into the sports management field. As a life-long baseball and Chicago Cubs fan, Rob knows the exhilaration and pain that baseball brings. However, if we are being honest, as a Cubs fan, it is mostly pain.
A core passion that Rob has is helping people pursue their dreams and goals in order to live a professional and personal life that is fulfilling and rewarding. As a holder of three college degrees, Rob believes in the value that education, on and off the field, can have in helping people to achieve their goals.
Aside from baseball, Rob is a fan of Doctor WHO, wrestling, peanut butter, archeology, comedy, and creating content for his personal brand on Instagram.