After 50+ years of coaching and managing youth teams, Steve Kruse has stepped down as General Manager and President for Blue Wave, one of California’s oldest and most respected club baseball organizations.
Established in 1996 by Steve Kruse and Louis Baltierra, Blue Wave is one of the oldest club baseball organizations in Irvine, Orange County. Over the years, Blue Wave teams have played over 10,000 games, won over 150 tournaments and 13 national championships, and been ranked on multiple occasions.
More than 450 Blue Wave alumni have played or are playing collegiate baseball at some of the top programs in the country, including: UCI, USC, UCLA, Oregon, Cal State University Fullerton, Stanford, PENN, Gonzaga, USF, University of Miami, Pepperdine, Long Beach State, Fresno State, Arizona State, Nebraska, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico State, Sacramento State, UCSB, Santa Clara, University of Central Florida, Clemson, Babson College, Biola, and more.
More than three dozen Blue Wave alumni have played professionally, including current MLB players Dylan Moore (Mariners), Austin Hedges (Cleveland), and James Kaprielian (Oakland).
Former Blue Wave players and coaches have also gone on to coach at local high schools, colleges, and the pros, including: Rich Pohle (Brea Olinda HS), Bret LeVier (San Juan Hills HS), Jason Smith (Canyon HS), Brett Kay (JSerra HS), Ben Owens (Northwood HS), Darric Merrell (Temecula Valley HS), Jon Hurst (Diamond Bar HS), Matt Florer (USD), Justin Viele (SF Giants), Aron Garcia (Northwood HS), Chris Reiland (Laguna Hills HS), Shannon Blansette (Anoka HS, Minnesota), and Wes Oberlin (Athletic Director Sacramento State).
Though retired, Kruse will now serve as editor for HotRosters.Com, a startup focused on providing youth baseball resources for SoCal players, parents, and coaches.
Tustin Knights GM Ray Lopez will take the helm and manage the Blue Wave high school level teams going forward. Lopez can be contacted at 714-981-4966 or [email protected].