DEREK RICKETTS

Coach Ricketts grew up playing baseball in the Modesto and Central Valley areas of California. He and his family were always around the sport of baseball growing up, with parents that helped run the local little league, coach his teams, and a sister who played competitive travel softball.

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Coach Ricketts played baseball at a high level from a young age, playing on all-star teams in little league throughout his youth career. As a high school player Coach Ricketts played competitive travel ball and was a 4-year varsity starter at Johansen High School in Modesto, CA, where he played catcher, 3rd base and pitcher.

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Following high school, Coach Ricketts continued his baseball career playing a year at Modesto Junior College (MJC), a year with Merced Junior College, and the last 2 years of college on scholarship at The Masters University (TMU – NAIA – GSAC conference) located in Santa Clarita, CA. Throughout his playing career his teams have won numerous championships, playoff games, and he has learned the game under fantastic coaches and mentors.

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Coach Ricketts has coached baseball since the day his playing career was over. He started an academy for individual lessons for local players in California and served as an Assistant Coach for the varsity baseball program at Johansen High School. After moving to Kentucky, Coach Ricketts has been involved coaching baseball for Scott County Youth Baseball, was an Assistant Coach for the 2021 7U Bluegrass Ambush and the Head Coach for the 2022 8U Bluegrass Ambush. He enjoys being able to share his knowledge with youth players and finds real meaning in helping guide and teach the technical, mental and leadership aspects of the game.