MEET THE CREW

Mike Greif: Co-Owner 

Mike Greif has been around baseball and softball for most of his life. He played baseball until college then switched gears to softball when his daughter, Lauren, started playing in 2004. Mike since then has coached girls' softball at Dunham Park and for the Chicago Fireworks and Chicago Ravens travel softball organizations. Mike is currently an assistant coach for the 18u Ravens. Aside from sports, Mike has been married to his wife, Kristen, since 1994 and he works for Accerifty, an American Express company as a Sales Support Manager/ Sales Force Administrator. Mike wanted to be a part of Royal Swings Training Center to continue to build on what Buzz and Hanna Buchan started as well as continue to give girls an opportunity to develop their skills and play fast pitch softball. 

Vince Fanelli: Co-Owner

Vince Fanelli started coaching in 2001 at Ridgewood High School in Norridge, Illinois. Vince coached 3 sports for 17 years at Ridgewood: football, basketball, and baseball. For the past 4 years he has been the head baseball coach at Ridgewood High School. Vince also had the opportunity to play at the college level taking tours at Concordia University Chicago, Oakton Junior College, and North Park University. Coach Fanelli brings his coaching network to Royal Swings Training Center along with the love and passion for teaching the game of baseball to the young and older generations of baseball players. 

Chris O'Leary: Co-Owner

Christopher O'Leary is married to DeeDee O'Leary and is the proud father of three children, Chiara (18), CJ (16), and Kiley (7). Chris is currently the President of Norridge Harwood Heights Little League and has served on the board for the last 12 years. Chris has coached all (3) of his children since they have played t-ball. One of his greatest memories was having the opportunity to coach his son's 12u Park Ridge Jr. Hawks team in Cooperstown, NY. His daughter, Chiara, also provided him a once in a lifetime opportunity of traveling to the Netherlands to watch her play softball. Sports have always been a huge part of Chris' life since he was playing little league. His parents always coached his team and taught him about sportsmanship and being a great teammate. They were always in attendance at every event he played in and also made it a priory to be at his kids games. Chris believes sports help children develop athletically, physically, socially, and teaches them respect and discipline. He looks forward to growing Royal Swings Training Center and watching young athletes develop into future stars. 

Joe Mazzuca: Hitting Instructor

Joe Mazzuca graduated from Holy Cross High School in 1999. As a senior, Joe was the Holy Cross High School team MVP and East Suburban Catholic Conference MVP. Joe earned his Bachelor;s degree in Science at Northern Illinois University and was named Verizon's Academic Scholar, all while managing to break the school's RBI record, tying the hits record, being recognized as team MVP, and making the Conference All Tournament team. In June 2003, he was drafted in the 12th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Florida Marlins. After 2 years of playing in the Marlins Organization, Joe was recruited to play in the Italian Baseball League. He won numerous Italian league championships with multiple teams. He was named the 2014 finals MVP. Joe participated with team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic and was also part of team Italy's 2010 European Cup Championship team. Joe retired from playing in 2016.  

Lauren Greif: Softball Instructor

Lauren Greif graduated from Lane Tech High School in 2017. During her senior year she helped lead her team to a class 4A Regional Championship. Lauren continued her softball career at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During her freshman year, she won the 2018 Alverno Newcomer of the Year award. Lauren is currently in her last year of college and plans to graduate in May with a degree in Business Management with a Communication minor. Lauren is also the head coach of the Chicago Ravens 18u softball team. 

Vito Iovino: Catching Instructor

Vito Iovino attended Ridgewood High School where he was a four-year starter for the Ridgewood baseball team. While in high school, Vito was a 3x All-Conference selection. Vito graduated and continued this baseball career. Vito played two seasons at Triton College. During this time there, he was a 2x Conference Champion and the 2018 North Central Community College Conference MVP. Vito also played 1 season at Murray State. Vito has returned to Ridgewood High School as the Assistant Varsity baseball coach and is the program's catching coordinator.