Our Team
Archer’s Program Director & CBA Co-Founder
Aaron Appleyard | Coach Cba Archers Red
Aaron started playing baseball at the age of 9 as a Pitcher, First baseman and Right fielder. He was scouted at a young age for his pitching ability while playing for the AAA Airdrie Athletics in Baseball Alberta. He was scouted by the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics and the University of Washington Huskies. Aaron had hopes to play at the professional level. Unfortunately he suffered an injury to his throwing arm to which he lost all eligibility to play at the professional level.
In 1998 Aaron was asked to coach for the Old’s Sox who played Midget AAA in Baseball Alberta. Aaron was the Pitching Coach for the Sox and he had two players from his team scouted and went on to play baseball at the College level in the US. After the one year of coaching his arm felt pretty good, so he gave it another try to play at a higher level. Aaron played for the Beaumont Arrows who played against teams like the Calgary Dinos, Calgary Dawgs (Now the Okotoks Dawgs).
As of 2012, Aaron has been coaching again at a variety of age levels. In 2019, he was asked to be the Head Coach of the 18U AA Chestermere Crushers where he led them to a Provincial Championship that same season. Aaron is a NCCP Certified Coach who continues to further develop his knowledge of the sport.
Aaron cofounded Changeup Baseball Academy in 2015 to focus on cost-effective solutions for youth interested in playing baseball at a high level.
Aaron is a coach for the CBA Archers.
CBA Managing Partner & Co-Owner
Mike Sherman | Head Coach CBA Archers Red
Mike was born and raised in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia and comes from a 3-generation high-level ball family, including his grandfather Levi, who is a member of the Berwick Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in his fastball career.
Starting at an early age, Mike soon fell in love with the sport and by the time he was in U13 he was already a provincial champion, and Represented Nova Scotia at the PeeWee Atlantic Championships. Nova Scotia went undefeated and along with the Atlantic title, he won 2 skills competitions (catcher throwing comp. + fastest infield relay comp) and was named to the Tournament AllStar team as the starting catcher.
In U15, Mike again was awarded an opportunity to play for team Nova Scotia and to complete at the Bantam AAA National championships in Windsor, Ontario. Mike posted a +.300 batting avg during the tournament and held one of the top caught-stealing percentages of any catcher.
The very next fall, Mike was Selected for the Nova Scotia Youth Selects (players representing the very top prospects from all over the province from every league). While with the Selects, Mike learned everything he could from the teams coach, legendary ball figure on the east coast, Bobby Gillis.
After his first winter away in Newfoundland for University studies, Mike returned to Nova Scotia to play Men’s Int. AAA for the historic Hantsport Shamrocks. As a Rookie and one of the youngest members of the league, Mike soon won over the starting catcher role and finished the season with a .300 batting average – second on the team. Along with winning Rookie of the year, he help to lead the Shamrocks to a league, provincial and Atlantic championship – all in the same year.
Mike became a full-time coach with CBA in 2021, using his expertise in hitting and catching to take kids to the next level of their development.
Mike is NCCP trained.
CBA Managing Partner & Co-Founder
Ryan Stromquist | Special Assistant Coach CBA Archers Red & White
Ryan Stromquist grew up in various towns across Alberta, playing for multiple baseball teams. At 18, he turned down a U.S. baseball scholarship to pursue academics in Calgary. Though his path shifted, Ryan has spent over 15 years mentoring youth in baseball, billiards, and writing (though not all at once), earning a reputation as a dedicated and trusted mentor for children and families.
Passionate about making high-quality coaching accessible, Ryan understands the vital role baseball plays in guiding young athletes toward a positive future. He continues his own baseball development to ensure he brings fresh insights and techniques to the youth he coaches.
Currently, Ryan works in marketing and business development for a network of Alberta farms, serves as a consulting editor for Calgary’s longest-running literary magazine, and is also a freelance contractor and artist.
In 2015, he co-founded Changeup Baseball Academy to provide cost-effective training solutions for young athletes striving to compete at a high level.
Ryan is NCCP-trained.
CBA Leadership Team Member
CBA Leadership Team Member
CBA Leadership Team Member
Jaiden Mattock | Head Coach CBA Archers White
Jaiden Mattock has been part of the CBA coaching staff since 2020, where he has worked closely with Ryan and Aaron to learn and implement the CBA approach to player development. His passion for teaching the game and attention to detail have made him a valuable part of the program.
Before joining the coaching staff, Jaiden played under Coach Aaron beginning in 2019 with the 18U AA Chestermere Crushers. Primarily playing shortstop and second base, he served as the team’s leadoff hitter and was known for his consistency at the plate, defensive reliability, and high baseball IQ. In his final season with the Crushers in 2021, Jaiden posted an exceptional .997 on-base percentage (OBP), highlighting his discipline and ability to create opportunities offensively.
Jaiden specializes in baserunning, reading pitchers, and infield development. He is passionate about helping athletes improve their instincts, confidence, and overall understanding of the game while creating a competitive and positive learning environment for players at CBA Archers White.
Jaiden is an NCCP coach.
Owen Zingel | Assistant Coach Archers White
Owen Zingel brings a strong competitive background and a player-first coaching mentality to CBA Archers White. Owen played high-level baseball in California at Yorba Linda High School, where he developed as an infielder and competed in one of the most competitive baseball environments in the country.
Known for his work ethic, leadership, and knowledge of the game, Owen focuses on helping athletes build confidence, improve their baseball IQ, and develop strong fundamentals both offensively and defensively. His experience playing baseball in California has given him valuable insight into the speed and intensity required to compete at higher levels of the game.
As a coach with CBA Archers White, Owen works closely with players on infield development, situational awareness, and creating consistent habits that translate into success on the field. He is passionate about creating a positive and competitive environment where athletes can continue to grow both as players and teammates.
Benjamin Van Ham | Assistant Coach Archers White
Benjamin has trained with CBA as a player since 2022. Starting off his baseball career shortly before in the year 2020 playing for the Chestermere Crusher’s. As a player he developed and learned quickly starting off his high level playing career with the Archers. Playing the first ever game for the team as there Catcher. Benjamin quickly grew into the starting spot and became a team leader. Following the next season becoming an assistant captain and finishing his career in 2025 as the Captain of Archers Red.
Through Benjamin’s short baseball career he excelled and learnt quickly in the catching position giving him multiple College scholarships to play baseball in America. Due to Injury and other personal obligations he had to turn them down. He is pursuing his career in the sport by coaching and giving back to other kids in the CBA program.
Benjamin is an NCCP Coach in Training and is passionate about developing the next generation of catchers through strong fundamentals, leadership, and strong work ethic. He specializes in Catching, Pitch calling, and reading pitchers.
Benjamin is Assistant Coach for Archers White.