Coach
James Heffley
James Heffley is a native of Kensington Maryland and has been playing and coaching in the DMV area for over ten years. He graduated from Albert Einstein High school in 2019. As a four year varsity catcher, he earned all-state mentions and all-star selections while earning a career batting average of .440 and caught stealing percentage of 71%. During this time, he also adopted the roles of Lead Instructor and Little League Development Coordinator with Play Ball Academy.
After high school, Heffley secured a walk-on position at the University of Maryland where he went on to play four seasons for the Terps as a catcher. During his time at Maryland, he won two Big Ten regular season championships and a Big Ten tournament championship. The Terps played in three regionals in that span (hosting one of them), were ranked nationally by Division I Baseball in the top ten, and shattered school records including wins (48), home runs (137), and RBI’s (552). Heffley graduated Maryland in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, earning dean’s list honors, academic all Big Ten selections, and a postgraduate scholarship. He was also the recipient of a 2022 Big Ten sportsmanship award.
Upon graduation, Heffley served two years as the Maryland Terrapins Baseball Director of Player Personnel. He assumed the role of head catching coach while also assisting with offensive strategies. During his time at Maryland, Heffley scouted hundreds of high school players, created training plans, and assisted in the development of college athletes both on and off the field.
Alongside his work with Maryland, Heffley has had involvement with numerous youth and collegiate institutions across the country. He has conducted seminars on both college recruiting and beginner coaches. Heffley enjoys participating in organizations such as League of Dreams and Team Impact that help level the playing field for athletes of all ages and abilities. Heffley works primarily with catchers, infielders and hitters and specializes in student-athlete development.
Career Highlights
- Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winner
- Catcher, University of Maryland (2020-present)
- Lead Instructor, Summer/Winter Camps, Play Ball Academy (2020-present)
- MCBL All-Star (2021)
- Little League Development Coordinator, Play Ball Academy (2018-present)