Softball and Baseball Coaching at GRIT Academy Athletics

Jason is the founder of GRIT Academy Athletics and a highly respected instructor in North Georgia, specializing in baseball instruction and softball development. He is known for his commitment to athlete training, guiding players from youth through the collegiate level and beyond. 

Jason began playing baseball at age three and was competing in travel ball by age six, training in elite programs across the Southeast led by former Major League players and coaches. He went on to play at Loganville High School, where he was part of a State Championship team, and continued his career at Georgia Gwinnett College. While there, he served as President of the Baseball Association and contributed to the development of both baseball and softball club programs.

Before founding GRIT Academy in 2018, Jason served as a Cobb County Police Officer, bringing a strong foundation of discipline, leadership, and mentorship into his athlete training career. 

With over 11 years of experience training athletes and more than a decade coaching within the Cambridge Feeder Softball program, Jason has built a reputation for developing players at every level of the game. He currently leads the North Georgia Feeder (NGF) Program as Director, and previously developed the feeder program at St. Pius X Catholic High School.

Jason works with athletes ranging from beginners to college players, guiding numerous individuals through the recruiting process to compete at Division I, Division II, and junior college levels. He also continues to train and develop current collegiate athletes, helping them refine their skills and elevate their performance in baseball and softball.

Jason is married to Holly Little, a former collegiate softball player at Berry College. Together, they are raising their three children, Luke, Harper, and Hadley, and have built GRIT into a family-driven community focused on developing athletes on baseball and softball fields across our community.

Will Foster is a highly experienced baseball instructor at GRIT Academy, specializing in hitting, infield, and outfield development for athletes across all levels.

A Cumming, Georgia native, Will played four years of varsity baseball as a middle infielder at North Forsyth High School before continuing his career at Reinhardt University.  He later earned his degree in Exercise Science from Kennesaw State University and now serves as a Physical Education teacher at King’s Ridge Christian School.

Will has been coaching since 2011, with experience spanning private instruction, travel baseball, and high school programs.  He spent seven years as an assistant coach at North Forsyth High School and currently serves as an assistant varsity coach at King’s Ridge, where he helped lead the Tigers to a Final Four appearance in the 2024 State Playoffs.  He also stepped into the role of middle school head softball coach in 2024, further expanding his impact across both baseball and softball development.

In the travel ball space, Will has coached every age group from 8U to 18U and currently serves as Head Coach of the 17U Roadrunner Baseball Academy National Team.  He has also worked alongside Michael Barrett, helping build and develop high-level training programs through Barrett Baseball and Roadrunner Baseball.

Known for his strong fundamentals and ability to connect with players, Will focuses on helping athletes improve mechanics, build confidence, and compete at the next level.

Outside of GRIT, Will enjoys spending time with his wife, Chloe, who together they welcomed their first baby.  His passion for coaching and player development shows in every session, both on and off the field.

Coach Jason Schmidt brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and a lifelong passion for developing pitchers to GRIT Academy.  Specializing in pitching instruction, Jason has coached athletes at every level of the game, from Little League and travel baseball to high school varsity, helping players build the mechanics, discipline, and confidence needed to succeed.

Originally from Wisconsin, Jason moved to Sarasota, Florida, where he became part of one of the most accomplished high school baseball programs in the country.  As a pitcher at Sarasota High School, he helped lead the Sailors to back-to-back Florida State Championships in 1993 and 1994, as well as a National Championship in 1994. That championship team was later recognized by USA Today as the National High School Team of the Decade.

Following high school, Jason earned a full scholarship to pitch at Manatee Community College (now the State College of Florida), one of the nation's premier junior college baseball programs, before completing his collegiate career at the University of West Florida.

After college, Jason dedicated his career to coaching and player development.  He has spent more than 25 years mentoring athletes, including 12 years coaching at the high school varsity level.  His experience spans youth baseball, elite travel programs, and high school competition, giving him a unique perspective on what it takes to develop players for every stage of their baseball journey.

Coach Jason's philosophy is simple: there are no shortcuts.  He believes success comes from mastering the little things, doing them consistently, and trusting that the results will follow. Every lesson emphasizes sound mechanics, disciplined practice, mental toughness, and a relentless work ethic.

His personal mantra reflects the standard he sets for every athlete, "Get better today. Outwork yesterday."

Outside the facility, Jason enjoys spending time with his wife, Tara, golfing, traveling, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, and relaxing with their two German Shepherds.

Coach Jagger is a high-energy baseball instructor at GRIT Academy, specializing in pitching and infield development for athletes looking to elevate their game.

Originally from California, Jagger brings collegiate and high-level playing experience to his youth baseball lessons.  He played at Augusta University and competed in the Coastal Plains League with the Macon Bacon, facing elite talent and gaining valuable experience at the next level.

Known for his fun but focused coaching style, Jagger creates an environment where athletes can work hard, stay engaged, and improve with purpose.  He emphasizes strong fundamentals, attention to detail, and pushing players beyond their comfort zone to unlock their full potential.

Jagger believes that growth comes from doing what others won’t.  His mindset is rooted in discipline and effort, living by the philosophy that “success isn’t given, it’s earned” and “iron sharpens iron.”

Coach Michael Handley is a former collegiate pitcher and baseball instructor at GRIT Academy, specializing in pitching development while helping athletes build strong fundamentals, confidence, and a competitive mindset.

Raised in Georgia, Michael grew up immersed in the game of baseball.  His father, George Handley, founded the Georgia Tigers organization and The Ballpark at Duluth, where Michael developed a lifelong passion for the sport while learning from one of the state's most respected baseball communities.  Through his father's coaching, he witnessed the development of numerous collegiate and professional players, including his brother Matt Handley and former Atlanta Braves All-Star catcher Brian McCann.

Michael was a standout pitcher at Greater Atlanta Christian School (GACS) in Norcross, where he earned four varsity letters, helped lead the Spartans to two State Championship appearances and two Final Four runs, and established multiple school pitching records, including ERA, strikeouts, and saves.

He continued his collegiate career at Tusculum University, where he earned multiple All-Conference honors, helped lead the program to four conference championships, and made three NCAA Regional appearances during his career.

Following college, Michael transitioned into coaching and has spent years mentoring baseball players of all ages. From youth baseball and travel athletes to community programs like Sharon Springs Athletic Association, he is passionate about helping players develop sound mechanics, confidence, and a love for the game.

Known for his calm, encouraging coaching style and deep baseball knowledge, Coach Michael believes every athlete can improve through consistent effort, quality instruction, and attention to detail.

Coach Brian is a versatile and experienced baseball instructor at GRIT Academy, bringing a complete, all-around approach to player development across hitting, catching, and fielding.

A former 3-year varsity starter at Shades Valley High School, Brian competed at the 6A level, the highest classification in high school sports, where he developed the skills and mindset required to succeed in a highly competitive environment.  He continued his career at Enterprise State Community College before going on to play 8 years of semi-professional baseball with the Birmingham Juggernauts, where he led the league in slugging percentage and RBIs in 2021.

A true utility player, Brian has experience at every position on the field, including catcher, infield, outfield, and pitcher.  That versatility allows him to coach athletes with a deeper understanding of the game and how each position connects.

Brian has been coaching baseball and softball since 2012 and has led multiple travel teams from 12U–15U since 2017.  He is currently entering his third year as an Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at King’s Ridge Christian School, where he also serves as the Junior Varsity Head Coach.

Known for his ability to relate to athletes and prepare them for the next level, Brian focuses on fundamentals, game awareness, and building confident, well-rounded players.

Coach Kelley Bagarose is a highly experienced softball instructor at GRIT Academy, specializing in hitting, infield, and outfield development for athletes looking to compete at a high level.

Kelley was a standout player at South Forsyth High School, where she earned All-County and All-Region honors while helping lead her team to two region championships, two Elite Eight appearances, and top-five finishes in the state.  She also competed nationally with the East Cobb Bullets, a top-ranked travel program, before continuing her career at Georgia Military College on a softball scholarship.

With over 7 years of coaching experience, Kelley has worked across both high school and elite travel softball.  She currently serves as the Head Softball Coach at Norcross High School and has coached nationally ranked teams with Atlanta Premier Gold (14U and 16U) and East Cobb Bullets 18U Gold since 2019.

Known for her intensity and commitment to development, Kelley pushes athletes to go beyond talent and truly earn their success.  Her coaching focuses on fundamentals, work ethic, and building confident, competitive players.

To Kelley, GRIT means being willing to put in the work no matter how hard it gets.  She believes resilience is one of the most important qualities an athlete can have, because talent alone only takes you so far.