MEET THE TEAM
Captain Fun (David Klein)
Founder and Coach
David Klein is a nationally recognized, award-winning transformational coach and experience designer in the baseball and softball world. His distinct approach marries traditional coaching with modern methodologies, tailored to resonate with today’s youth. As a former college baseball player and coach, he laid the foundation for Legends Baseball and Softball in 2009. From its humble beginnings as a summer collegiate baseball team and youth camp, Legends Baseball has grown exponentially to become the largest club baseball program on the West Coast. Impressively, it stands alone as the only U.S. franchise specializing in baseball and softball, producing over 50 players who have signed MLB contracts, and nurturing 3 major leaguers and 2 Olympians.
David’s transformative influence extends beyond the field. He’s profoundly impacted thousands of youth players through his “Legendary Life Playbook,” an experiential 10 week guide that instills vital life lessons through sport. His recent creation, SpeedBall™, introduces a fresh approach to baseball and softball, involving three teams of five players competing and rotating across the field. Over the past decade, David has been a beacon of knowledge, sharing his insights with Little League coaches through live clinics and online platforms. As we approach 2024, David eagerly anticipates launching a premier certification program for youth baseball and softball coaching, further solidifying his commitment to the sport and its future leaders.
Coach Smiles (Gabriel Estevez)
Coach Estevez is a 3rd year coach for Legends Baseball and has played baseball for 16 years all the way up until Canada Community College in Redwood City. When his playing career ended, he needed to fill in a void for the game he loves, especially since he had been around it his entire life. This is when he decided to coach, not only to work with the next generation of players, but to build relationships and teach life lessons as well. Coach Estevez has experience teaching high school players as well as younger athletes.
“My goal as a coach is to teach the game in the most fun, and easy mannered way. I believe everyone should experience this game, and the importance of focusing and giving your all is something I want to bring out of the kids.”
Coach Estevez’s favorite team is the San Francisco Giants, and his favorite player is Juan Soto. He believes the Giants are a franchise that truly models true professionalism, while Juan Soto is a great example for the youth on how to play the game everyday.
Instructional Specialties: Outfield
Carlos Payte
Sonoma Camp Director
Carlos is an experienced baseball coach and player with over 10 years of coaching experience and 15 years of playing experience. He is currently active in the Redwood Empire Baseball League and is passionate about coaching youth players in a fun, safe, and skill-building environment.
Carlos fell in love with baseball as a child, playing T-ball and Little League, and went on to start all four years of high school as a catcher. After high school, he played one year at Santa Rosa Junior College and later worked as an assistant coach for the Novato High School Varsity program, focusing on hitting and catching.
Carlos is also a Certified Personal Trainer and currently works with Petaluma youths, helping them improve their skills in pitching, catching, hitting, speed, strength and conditioning.
“The biggest thing I love about coaching kids is to see them learn and be able to repeat and succeed in what I am teaching them. The smile that is on their face makes it worth every second”
Coach Fire Flame (George Peters)
South Bay Camp Director
With almost a decade of experience in collegiate baseball and strength coaching, George is excited to lead our South Bay camp location in the summer of 2023.
George brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to his role as Head Varsity Coach at Prospect High School. Having spent 8 years with the Legends, his positive energy and infectious personality make him a beloved coach among players and colleagues alike.
George has served in coaching roles for teams across different sports, including the Oakland Raiders, Cal State Stanislaus, CSU East Bay and the Academy of Art. His ability to bring out the best in players makes him an exceptional youth mentor and leader.
Coach Quesadilla (Tyler Quintanilla)
Coach Tyler Quintanilla is a pitching, hitting, and fielding coach for Legends Baseball. Tyler was a dual position player for most of his high school career. He then focused solely on pitching at College of Marin and Hawai’i Pacific University. Tyler completed his college career at American River College, where he was a nominee for Conference Pitcher of the Year.
Coach Jet (Justin Trevino)
Justin Trevino aka Coach Jet – Is a San Antonio, Texas native. Coach Jet had a successful baseball career. He was a 4-year letterman at La Vernia High School. Jet was also a 3x All Conference INF, 1x Offensive MVP and a 2014 All-State INF at La Vernia High. He left Texas to play at Chabot College where his dad played & coached at. Then got a scholarship to Midland University where he finished his college career. Jet was a 4 year starter in college. Was an 3x All-Conference infielder and a 2x all-academic infielder in his college career. He graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Sports management marketing with a minor in human performance. After college, Jet played professionally overseas in Australia. When he got back to the states he started his dream of working in baseball. First year back he served as a Head JV Coach/Asst on Varsity at Central Catholic in San Antonio till covid hit. Then went on to work for Perfect Game as a scout for 3 years. During the last 2 years as a scout for Perfect Game, Coach Jet went on to be a graduate assistant coach at Midland University to get his Masters Degree and to be named the head infield coach. After graduating from Midland University Coach Jet came back out to the Bay to pursue the dream to coach and teach at the junior college level. Last season he spent his first year at junior college at City college of San Francisco as the head assistant coach.
Coach Happy (Jesse White)
Peninsula Camp Director
With 10 years of coaching experience, Jesse White is a skilled mentor in baseball, from youth to college level. He served as the head hitting and catching coach for Palma High School’s varsity program for three seasons, and currently works as an assistant coach for the Menlo Park Legends Collegiate team. He has also privately trained players of all levels, from little league to low Class A professionals. Jesse’s specialties include hitting, catching, and infield, but he is also a versatile generalist.
Jesse’s own playing career includes being an all-conference player in high school, MVP for his college prospect team in his senior year, and scholarship to Cal State University Monterey Bay. He also transferred and played one season at Monterey Peninsula Junior college, took the team to their first playoff run in over 40 years, and received a scholarship to Central Washington University where he won a conference Championship and finished his college career with a degree in Communication. Despite an opportunity to play in the Pecos Independent professional League, Jesse decided to shift his focus to coaching, his lifelong passion.
