Owner & Founder
Former Division I Catcher & Professional Player
Chris Ford, owner and founder of The Diamond Sports Academy, grew up in Gambrills, Maryland, where he attended Arundel High School and established himself as one of the top catching prospects in the region. A standout defender behind the plate, Chris earned national recognition as the No. 272-ranked catcher in the nation and the No. 2-ranked catcher in Maryland. In 2015, he was named a Preseason All-American before committing to play Division I baseball at Norfolk State University.
At Norfolk State, Chris quickly became known for his elite defensive skills and leadership on the field. As a freshman in 2016, he appeared in 30 games, posting a .228 batting average and throwing out five runners on the basepaths. Over the 2016 and 2017 seasons, Chris maintained a .986 fielding percentage with a 33% caught-stealing rate, helping lead Norfolk State to back-to-back Northern Division Conference titles.
In 2018, Chris transferred to Rogers State University, a nationally ranked Division II program. There, he continued to excel both offensively and defensively, batting .273 with a .455 slugging percentage. In 2019, he led the conference in every major defensive catching category, including a .987 fielding percentage and a 35% caught-stealing rate, while recording the fewest passed balls and errors among all catchers.
Chris began his professional career in 2019, signing with the White Sands Pupfish of the Pecos League. He later trained and competed with the Black Sox (Yinzer League) and the Washington Wild Things (Frontier League). During this time, he earned invitations to workouts with several MLB organizations, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, and Texas Rangers. In 2020, he received a Spring Training invitation from the Detroit Tigers before the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his professional journey, Chris had the opportunity to learn from several MLB veterans—experiences that helped shape his approach to player development.
After retiring from professional baseball, Chris founded The Baseball Doctor in 2022, specializing in catching, hitting, velocity training, baseball IQ, softball hitting, and athletic performance.
In 2025, Chris expanded his vision by opening The Diamond Sports Academy, now a premier destination for baseball and softball training in Maryland.
Hitting & Fielding Instructor
Former Division I & II Standout · All-Region Selection
A former Division I (Norfolk State) and Division II (Shepherd University) standout, Sy Mahdi brings years of high-level playing experience and a passion for player development to The Diamond Sports Academy.
Mahdi capped off his college career with a dominant final season, earning:
He appeared in 47 games, batting .341 with 13 home runs, 50 RBIs, 29 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. His performance earned him both MEC Player of the Week and NCBWA Atlantic Region Player of the Week honors.
Mahdi also earned multiple MEAC All-Academic awards and made the NSU Athletics Director’s Honor Roll.
A four-year varsity letterwinner and preseason all-state selection, Mahdi hit .400 as a senior with three home runs and 17 RBIs. He earned Team Maryland MVP honors during travel ball competition.
Sy Mahdi focuses on developing complete athletes through:
Baseball Instructor
Former NCAA Division I Player · UMBC Baseball
With over five years of coaching experience and a strong collegiate playing background, Connor brings a well-rounded and passionate approach to player development. He currently serves as a baseball instructor at The Diamond, where he has spent the last two and a half years working with athletes of all skill levels.
Before joining The Diamond, Connor provided two years of private instruction, helping players refine their fundamentals and grow their confidence.
A former NCAA Division I athlete and Bishop McNamara alum, Connor played four years of baseball at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). During his time at UMBC, he also worked as a camp instructor and coordinator for three years.
He further expanded his coaching resume with three years at Athletic Performance Inc. (API), coaching players ages 13–15 with a focus on skill development and game preparation.
Connor emphasizes fundamentals, baseball IQ, and strong work ethic, tailoring his instruction to each athlete he works with.
Softball Instructor
2× All-MEAC Outfielder · NSU Stolen Base Record Holder
Norfolk State Softball ’19–’23
Alison’s coaching journey began in 2022, when her 10-year-old cousin asked for batting and catching lessons. After rediscovering her passion, she committed fully to coaching and helping young athletes grow.
Baseball Coach
16+ Years Coaching Experience · Spalding / AACC / Frostburg
Kody Hines is an experienced baseball coach with more than 16 years of coaching and private instruction experience. A four-year varsity starter at Archbishop Spalding High School, Kody continued his playing career at Anne Arundel Community College before attending Frostburg State University, where he also served as an assistant coach.
Over his career, he has coached at respected programs including:
Kody focuses on fundamentals, exit velocity, confidence-building, and strong work ethic — both on and off the field.
Player Development Coach
Baltimore Orioles Player Development · Former Padres Organization
Richard Cosgrove is entering his fifth season in player development with the Baltimore Orioles and his sixth year in professional baseball, after beginning his career with the San Diego Padres in 2021.
He has worked across multiple minor league levels and was part of the 2023 Triple-A National Champion Norfolk Tides, a roster featuring several current and future MLB players.
Before coaching professionally, Richard played collegiately and was a three-year varsity starter, Anne Arundel All-County selection, and MSABC Futures All-Star. His early coaching stops included Phoenixville High School and Lackawanna College, where he contributed to a Junior College World Series run.
Elite Softball Coach
Hall of Fame NCAA Athlete & Award-Winning Division I Coach
Jenny Parsons is a nationally recognized coach and former NCAA Division I athlete with more than 30 years of experience. She now provides elite-level player development training after retiring from collegiate coaching.
A three-sport Anne Arundel County legend, Jenny earned First-Team All-County and Capital Gazette Player of the Year in volleyball, basketball, and softball.
At East Carolina University, she earned all-conference honors in both volleyball and softball and graduated holding ECU pitching records for:
Jenny spent more than 20 years coaching at the collegiate level, including:
In 2023, she led UCA to a record-setting 45 wins, ASUN titles, and an NCAA Tournament victory, earning ASUN Coach of the Year and NCAA Mid-Major Coach of the Year honors.
Jenny now focuses on pitching, defense, and advanced player development for athletes preparing for high-level competition.
Pitching Coach
Former MLB Pitcher · Montreal Expos & Boston Red Sox
John Dopson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher best known for his time with the Montreal Expos and Boston Red Sox during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Born in Baltimore, Dopson debuted with the Expos in 1985 before joining the Red Sox in 1988, where he became a key part of their rotation. His 1989 season included more than 180 innings pitched.
Known for command and precision, Dopson appeared in more than 100 MLB games before retiring.
After his playing career, he transitioned into instruction and youth development, helping players refine their pitching skills with professional-level insight.
At The Diamond Sports Academy, we take pride in helping players reach their full potential — on and off the field. From private lessons to team development, our athletes and parents share how our coaches, technology, and training programs have made a lasting impact on their game and confidence.
At The Diamond Sports Academy, we believe every athlete has the potential to compete at their highest level. From private lessons to elite development programs, our coaches provide the training, mentorship, and support needed to build confidence, skill, and discipline — both on and off the field.