ANgels Program Staff
John Lutz - Executive DIRECTOR
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Coach (John) Lutz and his wife, Nicole, took the helm of the Milwaukee Angels Youth Baseball Program in Fall of 2012. Together, the Lutz Family, were eager to build upon a long legacy of success the Milwaukee Angels established since 1994.
For as long as Coach Lutz can remember, the Lutz brothers and their father, Bill Lutz (Senior) have lived and breathed baseball. Drafted right out of Milwaukee Thomas More High School in 1983 by the Kansas City Royals. After 3 years at the professional level, Coach Lutz returned home to Milwaukee, WI. Coach Lutz continued to play locally and played for Milwaukee Wolf’s Cleaner’s and Lannon Stoneman for over 15 years. He was one of the top hitters in the Langsdorf and with Land Of Lakes Western Division powerhouse Lannon Stoneman. Coach Lutz could play virtually anywhere on the field. During Lutz’s days on Wolf’s Cleaners, the team captured 13 Langsdorf League championships along with Western Division titles and grand championships with Lannon.
In 2009, Coach Lutz was inducted to the Old Time Ball Players Association Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame, alongside his father and some of the best baseball players, coaches and pioneers of America’s Pastime from the Badger State. Following his playing career, Coach Lutz, turned his passion into developing and coaching Milwaukee’s youth full time. He has been fortunate to coach so many players but most meaningful, his son, Jack, who continues to share the same love and passion for the great sport of baseball.
#LutzPlayBall
Ty Ramirez Sr. - Program Director​
Ty Ramirez Sr has been with the MKE Angels for 11 years and brings over 20 years of coaching experience to the field. His extensive background includes coaching with the Milwaukee Angels, Midwest Halos, and S2N across Southeastern Wisconsin. A former athlete from Cudahy High School, Coach Ramirez excelled in both baseball and football. Professionally, he serves as a Program Director for Youth Sports, which aligns with his passion for teaching the game he loves. Coach Ramirez is motivated by the opportunity to impart life lessons through sports and values his role in shaping young athletes' lives. One of his most memorable coaching moments was guiding two of his sons through the Cooperstown tournament and achieving impressive bracket runs. His favorite sports quote is simply, “Compete.”
Ryan Kalinowski - Program Manager​
Kalinowski has been coaching for 4 years, with 3 of those spent with the Milwaukee Angels, an organization he’s deeply connected to, having played with the team from ages 8-14 under the guidance of his father, Brad Kalinowski. Along with his brothers, Ryan’s involvement with the Milwaukee Angels has been pivotal in the program's success. A graduate of Oak Creek High School, Ryan pursued college baseball for 6 years at Calumet St. Joseph, earning honors such as a conference tournament win with Northwestern Ohio and preseason AllConference catcher. Off the field, Ryan is the owner of KaliSports, which hosts youth baseball tournaments in Southeastern Wisconsin. His passion for coaching comes from a desire to help kids reach their full potential, not only as athletes but also as young men. His favorite coaching moment was winning his first tournament with the Milwaukee Angels, followed by team support at his men’s league game. His favorite sports quote is from Ricky Bobby: "If you ain’t first, you’re last."
Josh Diorio - Program Coordinator​
Coach (Josh) Diorio began with the Milwaukee Angels in 2019 as a player under Coach John Lutz and continued with the program through the partnership with Cody Smith, Trevor Theissen, and the Midwest Halos. Since 2021, Coach Diorio has been actively involved with the Angels' staff at camps and clinics, gaining valuable coaching experience. After high school, Coach Diorio was offered the chance to coach a youth Angels team during a summer before college, a role that proved to be a perfect fit. Coaching players ages 7 through 12, Coach Diorio focuses on teaching baseball skills as well as respect and integrity, aiming to develop both skilled players and wellrounded individuals. A Whitnall High School graduate in Greenfield, WI, Coach Diorio earned First Team AllConference honors throughout varsity baseball, along with All-District First Team and Honorable Mention All-State recognition in senior year. Currently, Coach Diorio is a freshman at Bryant & Stratton College in Wauwatosa, WI, where he plays baseball and studies general marketing. This position allows him to stay close to home while continuing to coach with the Milwaukee Angels. Passionate about teaching baseball, Coach Diorio finds fulfillment in seeing young players grow through their hard work. He embraces the philosophy, “Baseball is simply my platform to elevate Jesus Christ, My Lord and Savior.”
SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR - Bob LUTZ
​Coach (Bob) Lutz begins his fourth year instructing with the Angels Organization. He has numerous years of coaching youth baseball, high school and college, as well as playing locally and collegiately. Bob coached numerous youth baseball teams; Greenfield Little League, Martin Luther Jr Spartans, and Gators Select Baseball.
He started coaching high school baseball as an assistant coach at Pius XI High School from 1983-1985. From 1986- 1988 he was head coach at Dominican High School. In his three years at Dominican, they were the Metro Conference co-champs in 1987 and the WISSA State Tournament runner-up. His teams twice advanced to the WISAA State Baseball tournament in Stevens Point. He also coached the Wisconsin Coaches Association East All-Star Team 1987 and the East team won the tournament.
Lutz played high school baseball at Thomas More and played college ball at UW Parkside. At Parkside, he earned four letters and was an All-Conference pick in 1978 and 1980 and was named to the NAIA district 14 All-State team in 1980. He also played/managed in the Land O Lakes and Langsdorf leagues; winning 13 Langsdorf league championships, 3 Land O Lakes Grand championships and 3 state NBC championships.
Bob was the infield coach at UW-Milwaukee from 1991-1993 in their inaugural NCAA Division 1 seasons. He was also infield coach at Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1994-1995. He was a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Milwaukee area for 8 years.
Ryne Hicks - Special instructor​
Coach (Ryne) Hicks brings 15 years of coaching experience to his role with the MKE Angels, where he has been a dedicated coach for the past 3 years. His coaching journey includes time with the Sierra Vista Baseball Academy and Buena High School in Sierra Vista, AZ. A former athlete from Centennial High School in Bakersfield, CA, Hicks excelled in both baseball and basketball. Professionally, Hicks serves as a State, Private & Tribal UAS Program Manager with the US Forest Service, demonstrating his leadership and management skills. His passion for coaching stems from a desire to teach youth the fundamentals of baseball and prepare them for high school competition. One of his proudest achievements is leading Sierra Vista to the District 8 Championship—a milestone that marked the town's first advancement in 18 years. Hicks lives by the quote, “Baseball is supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great,” reflecting his commitment to the challenging and rewarding nature of the sport.
Jace Baumann - SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR, Pitching
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Coach Bob Lutz begins his second year instructing with the Angels Organization. He has numerous years of coaching youth baseball, high school and college, as well as playing locally and collegiately.
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Bob coached numerous youth baseball teams; Greenfield Little League, Martin Luther Jr Spartans, and Gators Select Baseball.
He started coaching high school baseball as an assistant coach at Pius XI High School from 1983-1985. From 1986-1988 he was head coach at Dominican High School. In his three years at Dominican, they were the Metro Conference co-champs in 1987 and the WISSA State Tournament runner-up. His teams twice advanced to the WISAA State Baseball tournament in Stevens Point. He also coached the Wisconsin Coaches Association East All-Star Team 1987 and the East team won the tournament.
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Lutz played high school baseball at Thomas More and played college ball at UW Parkside. At Parkside, he earned four letters and was an All-Conference pick in 1978 and 1980 and was named to the NAIA district 14 All-State team in 1980. He also played/managed in the Land O Lakes and Langsdorf leagues; winning 13 Langsdorf league championships, 3 Land O Lakes Grand championships and 3 state NBC championships.
Bob was the infield coach at UW-Milwaukee from 1991-1993 in their inaugural NCAA Division 1 seasons. He was also infield coach at Milwaukee School of Engineering from 1994-1995. He was a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Milwaukee area for 8 years.
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Bob is currently Vice President of the Old Time Ball Players Association (OTBA). In 2016, he was named to the Old Time Ballplayers Association of Wisconsin Hall of Fame, alongside his father Bill and brother John. OTBA promotes baseball and recognizes outstanding baseball players from the state of Wisconsin.
Collin Yelich - SPECIAL INSTRUCTOR, Hitting, Catching
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Collin Yelich is a Westlake Village local who started on varsity for four years at Westlake High School in California. After graduation he attended Sam Houston State University where he played D1 baseball. Yelich was then drafted by the Atlanta Braves after his Jr year and played for their league organization before signing with the Miami Marlins. Collin is the brother of the NL MVP and All-Star Christian Yelich. He specializes in hitting and catching.
Collin’s focus on lessons whether they are Catching/Hitting is teaching the position with correct form and technique with current drills and information that are being taught at the professional level. Adapting to each individual and making them understand why they are doing certain things and what certain changes will do as each individual is able to do certain things that work for them and building off of those foundations so help them perform at their highest ability.
