Dual Passport Catcher, Corner IF (EU,US), 5 Years of Professional Experience Across the Globe (SIGNED IN AUSTRIA 2024)
Name: Michael Varga
Height: 183cm
Weight: 98kg
DOB: March 13, 1997
Date Available: March 1, 2024
Indy Pro experienceBats: R
Throws: R
Positions: Coach, Youth Coach, C
Positions (alt): Utl, 1B, 2B, 3B, OF
College: Florence Darlington Technical College, Presbyterian College
Personal
Michael Varga is a player-coach who has a wide breath of professional experience both around the diamond, and the world. He is a dual-citizen, carrying an EU and American passport.
Growing up, Varga was an All-Conference and 2x Under Armour Pre-Season All American high school catcher who began his college career at NJCAA DI powerhouse Florence-Darlington Technical College. During his 2 years there, he was essential in leading Florence-Darlington Tech to a NJCAA DI Region X Championship, NJCAA DI Eastern District Championship, and NJCAA DI World Series Appearance in 2017
Varga then moved on to finish his college career at NCAA DI Presbyterian College, a member of the highly competitive Big South Conference. He was known as a a strong defensive catcher (high-level blocking, 1.85-2.0 pop time) with quick bat speed, gap to gap power, and outgoing leadership qualities.
After graduation, Coach Mike immediately played half a season for the MSG Phoenix in the highest division of the Belgian Baseball League. Despite a shortened season, he tied the league in home runs. He also began his journey as a professional coach and baseball consultant. Chris Dassy, President of the MSG Phoenix, said this about Coach Mike:
“Mike played and coached in our program in 2019. He came highly recommended by a coach I know and trust. And he did not disappoint, making a direct impact on our player development. I hired him for private catching lessons for my son, that’s how much I trust him. A lot of coaches know baseball. The separator for me is how much a coach cares. And Mike does care about his players.”
In his first year overseas, Varga also represented Team North America in the 2019 World Port Tournament held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, starting at both first base and catcher.
Coach Mike played his first season of winter-ball in Perth, Australia, with the Wembley Magpies of the top division in the Western Australia Baseball League. He again proved both his defensive and power-heavy prowess, finishing the season in the top 10 for home runs and slugging percentage. Varga also continued to develop his coaching network, coaching four teams for Wembley in addition to leading the Wembley-Perth 12U Club Champs to a Grand Prix Championship. Reed Morris, President of the Wembley Magpies, had this to say about Coach Mike:
“Mike played for our club and coached in our junior program in 2019, and quickly made an impression on both senior and junior players. He provided great structure and practice plans for our player development, both in groups and individual lessons. I would highly recommend Mike for his approach to junior development, his game knowledge, and his interest in each player he comes into contact with.”
Following his time in Australia, Varga showed his dedication to baseball and youth development by being one of the first and only imports to reach Europe before global lockdowns due to the Coronavirus. Coach Mike played and coached for the Attnang Athletics in the top division of the Austrian Baseball League during the 2020 season. During the season, he was the regular season home run leader (9), and finished in the Top 10 of almost every offensive category in the league. In July, he was named the Head Coach for the Upper Austria Baseball Academy, an Austrian Baseball Federation sponsored initiative to help continue growing and developing the game of baseball in each of Austria’s regions. Andreas Lastinger, Head Coach of the Athletics, had these closing remarks about Varga:
“Michael Varga is a very strong hitter with good hand-eye coordination and great instincts. What really stood out was his ability to hit every kind of pitcher, good, bad, and great pitching alike. As a catcher he helped to grow our pitching staff; he has a lot of in-depth knowledge of modern pitching development. I could also fully rely on him if I had a hitter who needed 1-1 coaching to further develop their craft or get out of a slump… As of him as a coach… I have seen only a handful of guys who are so good at bringing the love for the game towards children or people who try out baseball for the first time. He is an absolute professional if you are looking to build a really broad base of players for your club. He is very dedicated to the team he plays for. He will give a lot of effort to help out the entire organization.”
Varga joined the historic Draci Brno of the Czech Extraliga in 2021. Due to Covid-19 regulations, his Extraliga season ended prematurely. Varga finished the 2021 season with the Santa Fe Fuego of the American Independent Baseball League: the Pecos League. There, he quickly became the starting catcher, helping to greatly improve the performance of the entire pitching staff while providing a clutch bat in the order. This shortened tenure was highlighted by a pinch-hit, walk-off, 3-run home run against the Tucson Saguaros.
Varga played the 2023 season for the Drummondville Brock in the Ligue de Baseball Senior Majeur du Québec (LBMQ). Varga spent the majority of the season behind the dish, leading the team to its first clinch of a non-elimination playoff berth in team history, and guiding the pitching staff through its best ever statistical season across the board. He also finished in the Top 10 of many of the league’s offensive categories, including home runs, doubles, and slugging percentage.
Michael will play for the Schwechat Blue Bats of the Austrian Baseball Bundesliga in the upcoming 2024 season.
Playing Experience
Coaching Experience
YEAR | ROLE | ORGANIZATION | LEAGUE/DIVISION | DETAILS |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012-15 | Assistant Coach/Volunteer Umpire | Ashford Little League | N/A | Assist Head Coach with practice and games |
2014-17 | Head Coach | RBI Baseball Academy | Summer Travel Ball | Responsible for the growth, safety, and well-being of 15 campers through day and overnight camp. |
2014-19 | Head Coach/Social Media Manager | For the Love of the Game Baseball | N/A | Encourage personal development through team building exercises and independent goal achievement, constructed and manage the camp Facebook page, create daily itineraries that format group rotations, practice schedules, and camp structure, teach groups of 9-12 children, ages 7-12 years old, specific skill progressions in order to improve their knowledge of the game, as well as their athletic ability. |
2018 | Assistant Coach | Wilmington Sharks | Baseball Camp | Assisted coaches with camp duties |
2019 | Assistant Coach | Mt. St. Guibert Phoenix | Belgian Baseball League | Assistant coach to second division, 18u, and 15u teams. Primarily ran catchers and hitters portion of practices. Develop players' skills, mindset, and love of the game. Set-up practices, create itineraries, and lead team initiatives. Provide council to the head coach and coach bases during gameplay |
2019 | Youth Outreach and Development Coordinator | Wembley Magpies | Western Australia Baseball League | Head coach of the Junior League and Club Championship teams. Assistant coach of State League 3 team. Ran week long introductory programs at various primary schools in the Perth area to help promote, grow, and develop the game. |
2020 | Head Coach | Attnang Athletics | Austrian Baseball League | Youth development advisor and Head Coach for U10-U16 programs. |
2020 | Owner, Virtual Online Coach | Michael Varga International Coaching | Michael Varga International Coaching is an online and mobile coaching service for baseball enthusiasts all around the world. Founded by a successful international, professional player and coach. MViC brings a polished knowledge of the game, dedicated hands-on services, and unique, effective developmental programs all through the convenience of your computer, smartphone, or tablet. What makes Michael Varga International Coaching stand out? MViC prides itself on bringing out the best in ballplayers of all ages and skill sets around the globe, while embracing the life lessons and worldwide sense of community this amazing sport provides. For more information, visit: www.michaelvargainternationalcoaching.com | |
2020 | Director | Upper Austria Baseball Academy | Austrian Baseball Federation | Oversaw and ran this Austrian Baseball Federation sponsored program in the Upper Austria region, containing 4 youth programs and 200+ youth players |
2020 | Head Coach | Summerball Baseball Camp | Attnang Athletics Baseball | Fully oversaw all camp activities for U12 players at Summerball Camp, one of the biggest summer baseball clinics in Europe. Created itineraries, led development, and executed practice plans. |
Stats
Pro/Overseas Batting
Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | MSG Phoenix | 16 | 60 | 14 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 | .367 | .443 | .833 |
2019 | Team USA | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
2019-2020 | Wembley Magpies | 28 | 78 | 12 | 21 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 0 | .269 | .367 | .538 |
2020 (Reg. + Post Season) | Attnang Athletics | 24 | 85 | 34 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 39 | 18 | 11 | 3 | 0 | .376 | .500 | .823 |
2021 | Draci Brno | 22 | 71 | 12 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 1 | 0 | .239 | .317 | .352 |
2021 | Santa Fe Fuego | 14 | 39 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | .256 | .408 | .410 |
2023 | Drummondville Brock | 27 | 80 | 10 | 24 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 23 | 0 | 0 | .300 | .391 | .587 |
2024 (In Progress) | Schwechat Blue Bats | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
College/Amateur Batting
Years | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-17 | Florence-Darlington Technical College | 58 | 137 | 22 | 35 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 30 | 18 | 47 | 5 | 3 | .255 | .356 | .372 |
2018-19 | Presbyterian College | 69 | 168 | 17 | 30 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 17 | 65 | 1 | 1 | .179 | .266 | .256 |
2018 | Wilmington Sharks | 24 | 68 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 32 | 2 | 0 | .162 | .208 | .265 |