Coaching Staff

In 2024, Meistickle begins his 42nd  season at the helm of the Crackers since the team was "reborn". The number of former players now approaches 1400. 300 plus of the 1400 players have gone on to play professional baseball. 

In 1982 and after his professional career came to a close, Kevin Meistickle dedicated himself to assisting and helping players continue their careers at the collegiate or professional level. More than 100 of his former players have also continued into coaching at either the high school, college or professional level. His Cracker teams remain the only team to have competed for all four major (amateur) national championships -- NBC, Stan Musial, Dizzy Dean and NABF. The Crackers won the Sunbelt League Championship in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Crackers also celebrated winning their 1000th game during the 2016 season. For his efforts in amateur and semi-professional baseball, Meistickle was inducted into the National Semi-Pro Hall Of Fame in 2017.  

Drafted by the New York Mets in the 34th round of the 1973 MLB June Amateur Draft from Thiel College (Greenville, PA),played 10 seasons with several organizations including the New York Mets, the Atlanta Braves, the Montreal Expos, the Minnesota Twins, the Pittsburgh Pirates and several teams in Mexico and Latin America. Coach Meistickle is the first Thiel College athlete to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft and was the College’s first professional baseball player. 

Pitching Coach Steve Autry will begin his 25th year with the Crackers in 2024. A 2017 National Semi-Professional Baseball Hall Of Fame Inductee, Coach Steve Autry has been labeled by many as a gifted and energetic teacher with an extraordinary talent to "reach the unreachable". Autry is a former Cracker in his own right, as a pitcher whose amateur career spanned an amazing 20 years. A standout pitcher at Chattahoochee Valley CC and Augusta College, Autry still holds several school, amateur and Cracker records for strikeouts, appearances and innings pitched. Coach Autry brings a positive attitude and highly inspirational approach to instructing and teaching pitchers. “After my efforts to play professionally were over, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. To be a positive influence on players, help them develop their skills, build confidence and get them to the next level is my goal. It's not about me; it’s about the player. Everyone learns differently and being able to reach, teach and inspire young players is something I take great pride in. It's really bigger than baseball." 

 Since the 2012 season, Brad Ethridge has served as 3rd base coach and hitting coach for the team. With a take charge attitude and with a passion for teaching young players, Coach Ethridge works with players to improve their hitting techniques and monitors players' swings over the course of the season, advising them when necessary between at-bats on adjustments to make. He also oversees their performance during infield practices, cage sessions, and pre-game batting practice. His dedication to assisting players in refining and perfecting their skills both at the plate and on the base paths has been invaluable and has been a contributing factor to the teams success in recent years. A power hitter and RBI leader on most teams he played for, "The Captain" played collegiately at South Georgia State College, Embry-Riddle (where he helped lead his team to the 2002 NAIA World Series) and Lee University where in 2004 he was named team MVP and earned All American honors. He was also named as an All Region and All Conference player in 2005.  He is a 2004 graduate of Lee University with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Theology. Ethridge was inducted into the National Semi Pro Baseball Hall Of Fame in 2017.

Coach Coursey is in his first Summer with the Crackers where he assists with batting practice and most pre & post game field work. Coach Coursey also coaches 1st base for the team. Chase was a standout at Lanier High School and went on to play collegiately at East Georgia College and Savannah State. He is also currently a coach for the 16U Georgia Sauce and has recently accepted a role as an Assistant Coach working primarily with catchers at Peachtree Ridge High School. 

Coach Meistickle on Coach Coursey; "Chase is just a good baseball guy. He loves being here, talking baseball and working with players. He'll stay as long as anyone wants to stay as long as it helps the players. He's been a big help for us already this summer with all he does, including keeping the field ready to go. It's hard work but he's really in to it. Happy to have Chase." 

Welcome Chase!

Keltin Devoe is in his first year as a coach with the Crackers. Coach Devoe was a standout infielder at Flowery Branch before furthering his baseball career at the often nationally ranked Chattahoochee Valley Community College in Phenix City Alabama.  Coach Devoe is also a former Cracker player and a member of the 2014 SBL Championship team. 

During his second year at Chatt Valley, his college career was cut short by an injury but his inspirational journey to overcome that injury has inspired many!  https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/andees-army-helps-fund-mans-stroke-recovery/26803121/

Coach Devoes' love for baseball continues in his passion for teaching and coaching youth players with Team Elite.  

Coach Meistickle On Keltin Devoe:

"We are happy to have Keltin helping us this season. He loves being involved with everything it takes to get the guys ready for the game. He's also a very good teacher and an instructor who's in high demand at the youth level so we are lucky to have him with us this summer".