Our Team:

George Loft

George has thirty years of baseball coaching experience that ranges from middle school all the way to the professional level. He previously coached at the varsity level for ten years at Walt Whitman High School as well as for three years at the collegiate level with Dowling College as the hitting coach (including a trip to the NCAA Division II College World Series in 2009). Additionally, he served as the strength coach during his tenure at Dowling and for the Long Island Ducks Professional Baseball Club of the Atlantic League for seven years  He also has over 500 coaching wins (and counting) at the travel level. George is presently a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, in addition to being the Director of Baseball Training for Yeti Baseball. He is the founder and principal owner of Loft's Baseball 365, Inc. as well as a Certified Trainer for the Top Velocity Performance Center of Long Island.

George is a Long Island native originally from Nesconset, where he currently resides with his wife and two children.

Peter Recupero

Pete has been involved with the game of baseball as a player and coach for over twenty years. After playing at Hauppauge High School, Pete played at the collegiate level for Briarcliffe College in Bethpage NY from 1999-2001, where he was a two-time Div. 1 NJCAA World Series participant. From 2002-2004 Pete began his coaching career also at Briarcliffe, serving as their hitting coach and Infield instructor. He also is a certified Personal Trainer, with a specialty in strength and conditioning training. He has trained many athletes at the New York Sports Club from 2002-2004 and the Old Westbury Golf & Country Club from 2004-2006. In 2008, Pete decided to devote himself to becoming a full-time Physical Education Teacher in the William Floyd School District. During his ongoing tenure at Floyd, Pete was the assistant coach of the varsity softball team for five years from 2012-2017 where he helped lead them to several playoffs appearances. Pete’s other coaching experiences have come with the North Shore Giants travel program from 2018-2021, and he is currently a lead instructor and a Head Coach for the Yeti baseball program. He is the co-founder of Loft's Baseball 365, Inc. as well as a Certified Trainer for the Top Velocity Performance Center of Long Island.

Pete is a Long Island native originally from Hauppauge and currently lives in Mount Sinai NY with his wife and two children.

Tyler Loft

Tyler Loft is a 2024 graduate of Stony Brook University with lifelong experience in baseball. He played as both an outfielder and pitcher at Smithtown High School East and later as a pitcher at Farmingdale State College. Tyler went on to train at TopVelocity’s headquarters in Louisiana, where he realized significant personal improvements through the program.

As a senior at Smithtown East in 2018, Tyler co-founded Yeti Sports Ventures and led the organization’s inaugural Yeti Baseball team in 2019. Today, he manages all aspects of the program, including apparel design, social media, and player development.

Tyler also leads the inaugural college recruiting seminar program for Yeti Baseball, where he guides athletes through the recruiting process and helps them maximize their college opportunities.

Brandon Ruland

Brandon is a Co-founder and Owner of Yeti Baseball where he serves as the Offseason Workout Coordinator, Player Development/Tryout Coordinator, and a Head Coach. He is currently in his 3rd season as Head Coach of the Kings Park High School JV Baseball team. He also serves as an Assistant Coach for the Varsity team. He has been working in the program for the last 5 years, also serving as the Middle School Head Coach for 2 years. He was voted the Section XI League VI JV Coach of the Year in 2023. He attended Long Island University, graduating in 2022 with a degree in Health/Physical Education. He is a 2018 graduate of Islip High School where he was a 3-year starter on the Varsity baseball team, earning All-League honors in 2018.

Aiden Mehmel

Aiden is 2023 graduate of William Floyd High School, where he played 3 years of Varsity Baseball. He currently attends Farmingdale State College where he studies Sports Management and plays for the baseball team. Aiden is a versatile player who has been called on to play all infield positions over the course of his career. Aiden is in his second year with Loft’s Baseball 365, working in the facility as a trainer for both the Start Right and Top Velocity Programs, as well as assisting with various clinics and camps held throughout the year. He is currently the coach of the Yeti 13u White team and has two younger brothers that play in the Yeti organization. Aiden is also a brand ambassador for Baseball Lifestyle.

Joe Valentine

Joe Valentine is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher with a distinguished career and over 20 years of coaching experience. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 26th round of the 1999 MLB Draft, Joe played for organizations including the Oakland Athletics, Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Cincinnati Reds, making his MLB debut with the Reds in 2003. His career also extended internationally to Japan, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

• All-Star at every minor league level.
• Named Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year in 2002.
• Won two minor league championships.

• Pitching Mechanics: Teaching advanced techniques, improving mechanics, and increasing pitch accuracy and velocity.
• Game Strategy: Enhancing decision-making skills and overall game awareness.
• Mental Toughness: Providing insights into maintaining focus and composure during competition.
• Player Development: Offering personalized training programs tailored to each player's unique needs and goals.

Joe is dedicated to helping players reach their full potential both on and off the field. His supportive coaching style and commitment to excellence have earned him a reputation as a mentor who truly cares about his players' success.

Join Joe Valentine for a top-tier baseball training experience that will elevate your game to the next level!