Evan Zides - Owner & Head coach
Evan Zides is the owner of the Bay State Braves and DC Baseball Academy. Evan is also a head coach and assistant coach for the Braves.
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Evan started the Braves in 2014. In that time the program has grown from two teams to twenty teams in 2025.
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Alex Ingram - Director of Operations & Head Coach
Alex is the director of operations for the Bay State Braves as well as a head coach. He began his time with the Braves in 2014. Alongside being the director of operations Alex is also the general manager for DC Baseball Academy, the home of the Braves, and started there in 2013.
Alex played professionally in Prague, Czech Republic and Beaucaire, France from Spring 2011 to Fall 2012. While abroad he also coached youth teams, most notably leading the Beaucaire Chevaliers to a national championship in the 12U bracket, and a 5th place finish in the 15U bracket. Alex graduated from Macalester College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He was a 4-year Varsity starting pitcher. In his senior season as captain he led Mac to its first MIAC Conference Championship in 62 years, going 8-1 with a 2.49 ERA and 59 K’s. That year he received All- Conference 1st Team recognition as well as being voted the team MVP.
Chris Fay - Head Coach
Chris joined the Braves in 2018 and will the head coach of the 2024 13U Red and 15U teams. Chris is excited to share his passion for the game of baseball with the Braves and its players. Chris is the Wayland High School varsity baseball coach.
Chris worked full-time as a trainer for Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA); a national non-profit that believes in the power of sports to transform lives. Chris has presented at the World Baseball Coaches' Convention for three consecutive years, as well as numerous workshops for the Red Sox Foundation and many youth baseball programs across New England on issues related to sports psychology. Chris coached at Newbury College in 2007 and 2008 and currently writes for the New England Baseball Journal on topics related to youth baseball and coaching.
Christopher Panell - Head Coach
Christopher will the 2024 head coach for the 9U and 10U Red Bay State Braves teams. Christopher joined the Braves in 2016 as a staff member running clinics in the greater Metro West area. He is excited to share his passion for the game of baseball with the Braves and its players.
Christopher has coached youth baseball for over 25 years including Williamsport and Lou Tompkins. He is also actively involved in Community Investors, a non-profit program which focuses on bringing sports and movement programs to children of all skill levels.
Brian Rhone - Head Coach, Social Media Manager
A 3 Year Varsity Player at Notre Dame-West Haven from 2011-2013, Brian was part of the 2011 CIAC Class L State Championship team at Notre Dame. He also played for the CT Bombers from 2006-2013.
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Brian attended Newbury College where he played as a middle infielder. He earned NECC Academic All-Conference honors from 2014-17, and was an Athletic/Academic Award recipient at Newbury from 2014-17 as well.
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From 2018-2020 Brian was the Assistant Varisty and JV Baseball Coach at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Hamden, CT.
Besides his role as an private instructor serving hundreds of youth players in the CT area..he was the manager at Batter’s Box in Hamden, CT from 2017-2021. Brian was the director of the 12 and under program as well as the social media coordinator for the program.
Alex Belanger - Head Coach, Co-Social Media Manager
Alex Belanger started with the Bay State Braves in late 2023. He has spent more than four years coaching for travel baseball athletes. He brings a passion for helping others improve on the game they love.
Alex was a right-handed pitcher from Dean College who graduated with a degree in Sports Management. Alex threw a no-hitter in his last collegiate outing.
Justyn Ainsworth - Head Coach
Justyn joined the DCBA/Braves family in 2023. In 2024 Justyn led the 13U Blue Braves team to the D2 Championship game. Justyn played varsity high school baseball in North Attleboro, MA, and college baseball at Worcester State University, where he won numerous individual and team awards. He lived in the Cayman Islands for 10 years, loves to travel, and is a father to a 10 year old boy.
Colin O'Brien - Head Coach
Colin O'Brien joined the Braves in December of 2024. Colin played college baseball at Emerson College as a middle infielder and utility player. His experience includes coaching youth players in New England for the past six years. Colin has a lifelong love of the game of baseball and now enjoys teaching athletes who are excited about becoming better baseball players.
Ben Kefalis - Head Coach
Ben Kefalis joined the Braves in 2021. In 2023 his 12U Blue team made it to the final four in the Select Baseball League 12U D2 division. He is excited to share his knowledge and passion for the game to the program. Ben coached Senior Babe Ruth in Middleboro (ages 16-19) from 2016-2019. Ben is also the JV baseball coach at Wayland High School (2023-present).
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Ben played his college baseball at Eastern Nazarene College from 2013 to 2017. Ben played high school baseball at Bristol-Plymouth Vocational Tech. While there he and his team won the Mayflower League Championship in 2012, he was elected to the Mayflower League All-Star Team in 2013, and was elected to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team in 2013.
Steve Colella - Head Coach
Steve Colella returned to the Braves coaching staff in 2023. Steve coached with the Braves in 2017 before taking a position with the Nor'Easters program until 2023.
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In addition to coaching travel baseball Steve was the Worcester State Pitching Coach from 2019-2021, the Fitchburg State Pitching Coach from 2022-2023, and the Wachusett Dirt Dawgs (Collegiate Futures Baseball League in 2018 where he helped his staff set the record for Wins, Era, and Runs Scored.
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Steve had a very succesful college career. At Lindsey Wilson College he led the nation in saves and set the school record for most appearances in a single season. At UMass Dartmouth he was elected to the First Team All LEC Conference team. Steve attended Leominster High School where he was elected to the Pre-Season All Region Team, All Conference Team, and the Telegram and Gazette All Star Teams.
Mike Gilio - Head Coach
Mike resumed coaching with the Bay State Braves in September of 2024. ​
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Mike has over 18 years coaching experience in youth baseball. He is the assistant coach of Medfield Senior Legion and was also the head coach of Medfield Junior Legion. Mike has coached at many age levels ranging from 8-19 years old. Mike will be the head coach of a Braves 12U team this spring as well as assisting at other age levels.