Train with experienced instructors who have competed and coached at the professional, collegiate, and elite amateur levels.
Start TrainingCoastal Athletics is built around quality instruction, player development, and helping athletes grow in confidence, skill, and competitive understanding.
Learn more about the professional, collegiate, and instructional experience behind the Coastal Athletics coaching staff.
“Dedicated to giving the quality instruction needed for improvement and success.”
Fletcher Bates is the owner and operator of Coastal Athletics, which has been in operation since 2003. He is dedicated to giving the quality instruction needed for improvement and success.
Fletcher is a Wilmington native who played at New Hanover High School before being drafted out of high school in the 5th round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. He retired after playing 10 years professionally for the New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles organizations.
Today, he continues his connection with MLB as an associate scout for the New York Mets. In his years of professional playing, Fletcher received several high achievement awards for his athletic excellence. He earned the title of three-time All-Star as well as three-time MVP at the professional level.
He was also on Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospect List and the 40-man roster with the Marlins for two years. Fletcher’s professional experience is an invaluable asset to the Coastal Athletics team.
Fletcher provides baseball instruction and training in all aspects of the game and serves as the head owner/operator of the Coastal Athletics facility.
“Pete hopes to affect each of his players in the best way possible.”
Pete Gilardo was born in Orangeburg, New York, where he made a great name for himself. He excelled all four years at Dominican College from 2004 to 2007 and finished with a career .328 batting average while also being named All-Conference three out of his four years.
His most notable accomplishments in college included being named to the All-Tournament Team after his sophomore season with an astounding .800 batting average for the tournament and also being named a three-year captain.
Pete was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2007 MLB Draft and spent most of his time as a catcher, while also registering a few innings on the mound. He caught several big-name pitchers, including Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, and John Smoltz.
His experiences in baseball are invaluable to the program’s development and the athletes he works with. Pete hopes to affect each of his players in the best way possible.
“Great passion for the game of baseball which he hopes to pass along to the players.”
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in Cary, North Carolina, Michael Rooney was a four-year starter in the middle infield for the varsity baseball team at Cary High School and a three-time All-Conference selection.
From Cary, Michael attended college at UNC-Wilmington, where he started at shortstop every game but one for his final three seasons as a Seahawk. He helped take UNCW to a regional his sophomore year, playing all 62 games at shortstop.
He finished his career in the top 10 at UNCW in OPS, runs scored, walks, hit-by-pitches, and double plays turned, and also holds the records for career assists and single-season assists.
Rooney was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 30th round in 2010 and spent three seasons in the minor leagues, making it up to Double-A while playing alongside and against big leaguers like Manny Machado, Brian Roberts, Nick Markakis, Pudge Rodriguez, Adrian Gonzalez, and others.
He was used at all four infield spots during his minor league career. He has an abundance of knowledge of the game and a great passion for baseball, which he hopes to pass along to the players.
Nathan Keeter is from Wilmington, North Carolina and attended Coastal Christian High School as well as PRO5 Academy.
Nathan went on to become a Division I starter at Liberty University, where he was a consistent contributor on both sides of the ball and made SportsCenter Top 10 Plays on multiple occasions.
He spent his graduate year at Lenoir-Rhyne University and brings high-level collegiate experience to the Coastal Athletics coaching staff.
Lowell Schwartz pitched at Blackburn College in Illinois from 2016 through 2019 and was voted Most Improved Player by his teammates in 2017.
He also played summer baseball in the Pioneer League in Iowa.
Lowell worked on staff at Blackburn College from 2019 through 2024, serving as Volunteer Assistant in 2019, Head Assistant with pitching and strength and conditioning duties from 2020 through 2023, and Interim Head Coach in 2024.
Lowell is Driveline Certified and brings strong pitching development, strength training, and coaching experience to Coastal Athletics.
Every athlete develops differently. Our goal is to help players build confidence, improve skills, and prepare for success both on and off the field.
Instruction from coaches with professional, collegiate, and advanced baseball backgrounds.
Training designed to help athletes improve mechanics, confidence, and decision-making.
Coaching that gives athletes personal attention and actionable feedback.
Each athlete receives instruction aligned with their age, goals, and areas of improvement.
Train with Coastal Athletics and learn from experienced coaches who understand what it takes to compete at the next level.
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