Soltero takes pride in academy

COLUMBUS - Nebraska head baseball coach Mike Anderson gave Saul Soltero a offer he couldn't refuse.

After attending the press conference of the hiring of assistant baseball coach Dave Bingham, Soltero's baseball coach at Emporia State in 1986-87, Anderson met Soltero, who lives in Columbus, for the first time. Anderson asked him if he was interested in being an elite instructor on the Nebraska Baseball Academy.

“We all went to dinner after the press conference, and Coach Anderson asked me what I was doing and why I wasn't involved in baseball with my pro ball experience,” Soltero said. “I told him I was taking a break. He then asked me if I wanted to be a part of the academy.”

Soltero is currently in his second full year on the staff. He is the primary instructor for their intensive pitching instruction. He does speaking engagements and runs clinics all over the state for all positions.

He said being part of the academy is something he really enjoys.

“I'm a baseball guy,” Soltero said. “I enjoy kids and love teaching baseball the right way. That's how Coach Anderson wants to teach it.”

During his baseball playing days, Soltero was on the pitching staff at Emporia State. Soltero was also on the San Diego Padres pitching staff from 1987-92.

Bingham said the academy is pretty lucky to have an instructor like Soltero because of his knowledge of the sport.

“Saul has a tremendous background in baseball at all levels,” Bingham said. “He competed at the college and professional levels, has also coached on the professional level and has worked with some of the best pitching instructors in professional baseball. So he brings a wealth of experience to our staff.”

The purpose of the Nebraska Baseball Academy is to help athletes develop a positive attitude about themselves and the game of baseball.

The Nebraska coaches instruction provides campers with fundamentals, disciplined work habits, drills and a passion for the game. The coaches want the athletes to approach challenges with confidence and help contribute to the campers goals.

Soltero was the one who thought of the idea to bring the academy to Columbus last summer. Soltero said he never gets a chance to help out the kids in Columbus, so he asked Anderson if the Academy could go there.

“It was special because Mike did the summer camp in Columbus last summer, and he brought his entire staff to town,” Soltero said. “It was great, and the kids enjoyed it. It's not everyday you have the Big 12 Coach of the Year come here to teach baseball.”

Soltero currently lives in Columbus with his wife, Sharon, and daughter, Amanda. He also serves as the Director of Major League Baseball Services for the Hoosier Bat Company, a position he has held for eight years.

The aspect Soltero enjoys the most about his job with the academy is working with the children.

“I like teaching the kids,” he said. “I have many kids from all over the state who I have had call me, e-mail me, text me and tell me things like when they are going to be in town or about their lives. The relationships I have built with kids is the neat thing.

“If you aren't in it for the kids, then you are in it for the wrong reasons. As for the baseball program, I admire them so much that I would fall on the sword for that group. I believe in what Mike is doing down there, and I think he is doing a great job.”