SPRINGSPIRIT
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Our Mission.

SpringSpirit exists to provide pathways for youth to realize life opportunities through sports, education, and mentoring programs based on Christian principles.
  • Our Story

  • Our Team

  • Our Comunidad Team

  • Our Board

  • Our Partners

  • Our Core Values

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  • Our Story

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    Melissa and Kenny Baldwin
    Co-Founders and President


    The foundation of SpringSpirit began several decades ago in San Antonio as Kenny Baldwin, President and Founder, grew up and played baseball in a neighborhood much like the one SpringSpirit serves today. He was given the opportunity to attend Rice University on a baseball scholarship and then played professional baseball before spending twenty-eight years as a successful consultant in the oil and gas industry. Kenny credits his success to strong coaches, great teachers,  loving mentors, and faith leaders who encouraged him throughout his life. It is his greatest desire to create these same opportunities and relationships for other under-served youth through SpringSpirit Baseball.
  • Our Team

    Administration

    Kenny Baldwin
    President/Founder
    Rachel Owens
    (Chief Operating Officer)
    Jeanne Grube
    (Controller)
    Yesenia Merchan
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    Operations)
    Brian Dennison
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    Pitner Campus Director
    Juan Ramirez
    Assistant Director at Pitner Campus
    Ana Mendoza 
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    Campbell Campus Director
    Marc Laney
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    Senior Director of Development 
    Kakki Reasoner
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    Development Manager
    Stacy Dunn
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    Accountant

    Pitner Campus Team

    Juan Ramirez 
    Assistant Director a Pitner Campus
    Katie Whalley
    Development Coordinator
    Laura Smith 
    Director of Education
    Susan Hall
    Education Manager for Pitner Campus



    ​​Carin Thorn
    Education coordinator/Early Literacy
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    Connally Mooring 
    Mentoring and Literacy Coordintor 
    Blanca Gallegos 
    Whole Child Program
    Kevin Witt
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    Athletic Director
    Gabriel Castillo
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    Competative Baseball Coach 

    Michael Kidd
    Recreational Sports Coordinator/ Youth Ministry 

    Campbell Campus Team

    Ana Mendoza 
    Campbell Campus Director 
    Sergio Razo 
    Recreational Sports Manager for Campbell Campus
    Adrian Lucero
    Recreational Sports Coordinator
    Elmer Villa
    ​Competitive Soccer Coordinator 

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    ​Lizandro Salaza
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    Competitive Soccer Coordinator 


    Said Perez 
    ​Adult Ministry 
  • Community Advisory/Ambassador Committee 

    Luis Rojas - CAAT President and SpringSpirit Board Member

    ​Luis grew up in the Spring Branch area and attended Valley Oaks Elementary, Landrum Middle and Northbrook High. He spent the majority of his career in the banking industry before transitioning to the energy sector. He currently works as an Onboarding Specialist at Shell. Luis and his wife love Spring Branch and wanted to raise their two children in this area. As a family, they became heavily involved with SpringSpirit due to its mission and the positive impact it was having in the community. They have continued to volunteer with SpringSpirit even after needing to relocate to the Cypress area, and their children continue to go to school in SBISD and will graduate from Northbrook High School. Luis is dedicated to ensuring that his family continues to grow their roots in Spring Branch and make an impact on the community.

    Rosalba Covarrubias - Vice President and Community Chair

    ​(Rosy) I was born and raised in Mexico and came to this beautiful country in the year 2000. I am a full time mom very involved in my kids activities, I am a volunteer in their schools as well as in Spring Spirit. My whole family have been participating in SpringSpirit since 2014. I Have three kids, Kevin, Joscelyn and Paola. We started with CRL where I was a team mom and then the coach. Helping is something that I love and makes me feel good. I am pleased to see my community grow and excel. One of my goals is to see my children go to college, educate them as people of good and faith continue to support and guide them to achieve their goals and personally continue to grow as a person, If I could have a superpower it would be to fly , to be able to be on time in all my kid’s practices, games , school , CAT meetings and avoid Houston’s traffic stress ;)

    Grecia Castro CAAT  Member - Ministry

    ​Grecia Castro My husband Diego Mendoza and I have 4 children Diego, 15 years old, Grecia, 13 years old, David, 8 years old, and Daniel, 5 years old, we also have a dog son that we adopt, Canelo 2 years old. My husband and I decided to emigrate to this country in 2013 for a better future for our children since our country does not have a good education for children with different disabilities, I have 3 children with hemiparesis, autism and Asperger's syndrome. I came to Spring Spirit that same year (2013)! I was looking to learn more about this country and socialize (I have always liked meeting people and learning new things) and this organization helped us a lot and welcomed us as family. I enrolled my children in the CRL league after my daughter Grecia became the first generation of Lady Toros, she learned to interact with more children starting to speak more, the coaches and SS staff made her feel welcomed and always included her in activities and practices, that helped her a lot with her disability. My son Diego was more inclined towards education, he went to classes after school, he was very supportive in reading classes and he waited every Friday to attend FNL. David and Daniel participate in Reading and soccer, David is now in swimming lessons and he is very excited to be part of it. Well, this is how we started and we got involved in this amazing organization. We volunteered to give back a little bit of all SS have contributed to our family.

    Cristina Urbina (Cristy) - CATT MEMBER - Ministry Chair

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    ​Cristina Urbina (Cristy) My name is Maria Cristina I am originally from Montemorelos, Nuevo León Mexico (where the best orange is grown) 5 years ago I arrived in this country of opportunities, arriving with a suitcase full of dreams and hope for a better future. We are a family of 4, my husband Julio Gonzalez, my son Diego (13 years old), my daughter Ximena (7 years old). I really enjoy getting involved in my children's activities, volunteering at my children's schools, and Spring Spirit, that has become as a family for us. My children are involved in sports, education programs and FNLL. Also, I’m a the Team Mom in my daughter's Softball team. Always willing to help anytime I can. My goal is to learn to speak and write English, and for my children to go to college.
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    Stephanie Lizama - CAAT Member - Softball Chair

    ​Stephanie Lizama She and her family have been a member of Spring Spirit since 2015. She is an active member in the community as well as the Spring Branch school district, where she serves as a member of the Campus Improvement Team for Edgewood Elementary. Stephanie has two children involved at Spring Spirit, Gavin, and Jude. She is married to Marlon Lizama who teaches a creative writing course for youth at the center. She was a volunteer softball coach for the Lady Toros and continues to work closely with them. She has set many goals for the future, but at this time she is focusing on health and fitness. Stephanie is from Louisiana where she attended Louisiana State University. She enjoys reading in her spare time as well as listening to music. She is from a small town in Louisiana and knows the importance of community. Stephanie is honored to be a part of this committee where she can help improve the needs of others.

    Francisco Lopez - CAAT Member - Soccer Chair 

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    ​Francisco Lopez I’m Francisco Lopez arrived from Mexico City at the age of 17 I was fortunate enough to graduate from HS. I waited 7 years after HS graduation to enrolled in college for various personal reasons, at that time I was already a father of my 3 children, but this only gave me the focus and the energy to do it. I graduated with the degree of a Bachelor of Accounting Cum Laude from the University of Houston-Downtown. I been part of spring spirit for the last 8 years. I had coach and volunteer in different capabilities at spring spirit and the community. My kids have played baseball, soccer, and attended several summer camps. I really want to see this community grow and become a beacon in this town. Diego, played baseball and currently he is in U15 competitive soccer program. Emma is more into education she participates in the statistics program. Sasha is only 8 and currently she will participate in the soccer program. All my kids really enjoy FNL and the summer programs.

    Andy - CAAT Member - Education Chair

    ​Andy began volunteering at Spring Spirit on his nephew, Raul’s T-ball team in 2018. Like the players he serves, he also grew up in the Spring Branch community. He has been coaching the same core group of boys, through CRL, who are now on the competitive 9U Toros team. He is currently a bilingual educator for Spring Branch ISD and serves on campus and district level teams. Andy graduated from Texas A&M University in 2017 where he was a proud member of the Corps of Cadets. Andy’s interests include playing basketball, watching sports, and spending time with his family. Now as a member of the CAAT, he hopes to continue making a difference in the community and help Spring Spirit reach more families.

    Wayne Weathersby CAAT Member - Baseball Chair

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    ​Wayne Weathersby is the oldest of three siblings, all born and raised in Houston, Texas. He graduated from Spring Woods high school in 2007, where he met his wife. They both have raised two wonderful boys, which opened the doors for coaching. He Started volunteering for Spring Spirit in 2017, when his son’s team needed a coach in the SpringSpirit Cal Ripkin league. From there, he transitioned to coaching a Toros team in 2019 and coaches that team and his son currently. He works for H-E-B at the Windfern Distribution Center, as a Warehouse Trainer for new hires. His Goals are to become an inspiring and great team leader, as well as a role model for others and to grow and become the best version of myself for my children. His hobbies include coaching baseball, staying athletic at Spring spirit, love to Draw & Paint when I have free time

    Jesus Garza

    My name is Jesus Garza. I was born in Mexico and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I've been married for 15 years and have a family of 8. I enjoy reading, and studying God's word and living 15 years for Jesus. I also enjoy family time, church, coaching softball, fishing, watching baseball and softball, serving others, carpentry, drag racing, horseback riding, and playing acoustic guitar. 

    Susana 

    Hello, my name is Susana, but everyone knows me as Susy. My family and I have been part of SpringSpirit for about 8 years. I have 3 daughters and all 3 have played softball for both LadyToros and CRL. My husband, Erick, has been coaching at SpringSpirit for about 5 years, and I would help being the team mom. We are not just at SpringSpirit for the sports. We also participate in the educational and ministry side of SpringSpirit, and we enjoy it. 
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    Patricia 

    Hi I'm Patricia. I've been a member here for years, I have two children that play baseball and softball. My son plays with the Toros, and my daughter plays with the LadyToros here at SpringSpirit. I love to give back to the community.
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  • Our Board

    Carlos Abello
    Chris Ferazzi
    Bob Kurtz
    Mary Tere Perusquia
    Kenny Baldwin 
    Ed Fikse
    Dan Lang
    Tony Pilegge
    ​Melissa Baldwin
    Terrence Gee
    Mark Lange
    John Prather
    Lance Berkman
    ​Mike Gilbert
    David Light
    Paul Primavera
    Ryan Bishop 
    Jay Graham 
    Jason Martinez
    Haley Reiser 
    Keith Booke
    Mark Hamilton
    Baker McAdams
    Luis Rojas
    David Buck 
    Bill Herman
    Mark McAdams
    Reid Ryan
    Steve Buckley
    Doug Hodo
    Brooks McGee
    Steve Schwarzbach
    Linda Castaneda
    Howard House 
    Stephen McNair
    Steve Scott
    ​David Cecil 
    Eric Hudson
    Philip McRae
    Aimee Snoots
    Gus Comiskey 
    Will Huthnance
    John Meredith
    Laura Sorrell 
    Jeff Dietert
    Sean Keenan
    Jeff Miers
    Steve Stephens 
    Bill Dore
    Steve Kim
    David Milich 
    Trey Strake
    Gary Edwards 
    Duncan Klussman
    David Miller
    Drew Taggert
    Cristina Feder
    Peggy Kostial
    Michelle Mouton
    Leslie Teel 
    Ken Theut
    Brian Thompson
    Beth Tilney
    Marlen Trujillo 
    Jesse Tutor 
    Luke Vammen 
  • Our Founding Partners

    • Founding Partners

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      The Stoller Foundation strives to be HIS witness “in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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  • Our Core Values

    • Teamwork: We rely on the talent and experience of every member of our staff to meet our mission goals.  We will work as one team to achieve our common and individual goals.  We will communicate openly, share ideas and support each other.
    • Respect for the Individual: We strive to create a workplace where employees learn from others and each person’s unique skills, gifts and experience are recognized.  We will demonstrate grace, compassion and patience with colleagues, volunteers and participants.
    • Integrity: We believe that trust is built on honesty and ensuring that our behaviors match our words.   We will act ethically, legally and according to our Christian principles in all situations.
    • Focus on the Family and Community:  We are committed to improving the lives of the families and youth of Spring Branch.  We will serve them willingly and with humility.  We will listen to the community in order to understand the specific ways in which we can help and we will deliver quality programming. 
    • Perseverance: We will be consistent and dedicated in our mission.  We will serve with a positive attitude and remain focused when we encounter obstacles.
    • Operational Excellence: We are committed to building a team of competent, caring individuals who will represent the values of SpringSpirit.  
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Jeanne Grube
Hometown: League City, TX
Hobbies: Photography, and Puzzles
Dream Vacation: Anywhere with a beach
Houston Restaurant Rec: ​Ginger and Fork
Favorite Sports: Houston Astros 
Favorite Athlete: Jose Altuve 
Favorite Music: Country Music or anything by Kenny Chesney
Why I Love SSB: Using sports as a way to bring mentorship and ministry to the kids, as well as bringing the community together.  

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Jay Davis
Hometown: Shreveport, Louisana
Hobbies: Golfing, and boating 
Dream Vacation: Greece 
Favorite Sports Team: LSU Tigers
Favorite Athlete: Joe Burrow
Favorite Music: Country 
​Why I love SSB: ​The families
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Laura Smith
Hometown: Houston, TX
Hobbies: cooking, gardening, going to concerts, yoga, and traveling.
Favorite sports teams:  Longhorns and Astros.
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams 
Favorite Music: Americana
Houston Restaurant Rec Good Company Seafood
Dream Vacation: Hawaii
Why I Love SSB: It is a place full of hope and promise !
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Ana Mendoza
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Dream Vacation: Italia
​Favorite Music: ​Likes All Music
Things I love: chips and salsa, Playing Mexican Lotto
Houston Restaurant Rec: Flora, North Italia, Caracol and many others.
Why I Love SSB: I love our mission to transform lives.
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Alison Young
Hometown: Houston
Hobbies: CrossFit, gardening, cycling, baking/cake decorating, hiking, reading
Favorite Quote: "Everything will be all right in the end. If it is not all right, it is not yet the end." --Patel, Hotel Manager, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Why I Love SSB: It is spiritually and emotionally fulfilling to see that, every single day, we are making a real and profound impact on kids' lives.

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Blanca Gallegos
Houston Restaurant Rec: Del Friscos
Favorite Athlete: Michael Jordan
Things I love: flipping homes, running, cycling, cooking, event planning, gardening, traveling
Favorite Quote: Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world.
Why I Love SSB: I love collaboration to uplift the community in a holistic way.
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Connally Mooring
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Nickname: Conn
​Hometown: Houston, TX 
Houston Restaurant Rec: Island Grill
Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys or UT Football
Things I love: cooking, tennis, walks with friends, reading 
Dream Vacation: Australia 
Favorite Music: Whatever music is on the radio. 
Why I Love SSB: How motivated the entire staff is towards a common goal. 
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Michael Kidd
Hometown: Brownsville, Texas
Nickname: Kidd 
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Things I love: playing/watching baseball, swimming, playing chess, traveling, and the Lord.
Dream Vacation: Rome, Italy or Varadero, Cuba
Favorite Music: Contemporary Christian, Christian Rap, Today's Top Hits
Favorite Sports Team: St Louis Cardinals, and Rice Owls
Houston Restaurant Rec: Chuy's or the original Carrabba's
Why I Love SSB: The freedom to live out our faith and serve our community through the life-changing pillars of sports, education, and ministry!
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Johnnie McCrory
Hometown: Meridian, MS
Nickname: J
Dream Vacation: Europe 
Things I love: Crafts
Houston Restaurant Rec: Dario's 
Favorite Sports Team: Astros

Favorite Athlete: Altuve 
Favorite Music: Country
Why I Love SSB: The people 
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Yesenia Herera-Merchan
Nickname: Yessie
Hometown: Houston, TX
Things I love: Trying new/ different food, Word games/ puzzles and watching my kids play ball. 
Dream Vacation: Turks and Caicos
Favorite Sports teams: NY Mets, Houston Astros, NY Giants, Houston Texans. 
Favorite Athlete: Jocelyn Alo, Jose Altuve, David Wright
Favorite Music: All types of music
Why I love SBB: It gives young athletes a platform and the motivation to strive to go to college or bettering themselves by acknowledging God first.
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Rachel Owens
Hometown: All over! (military)
Houston Restaurant Rec: Good Company Cantina
Dream Vacation: Anywhere in the mountains.
Things I love: reading, and pilates 
Why I Love SSB: I The opportunity to make a difference in a child's life


Email: ​​rachel.owens@springspirit.org
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Juan Ramirez
Favorite Athlete:  Ronaldo "Fenomeno" Nazario
Things I love: soccer
Dream Vacation: Switzerland

Favorite Quote: Motivation is what gets you started. Habits are what keeps you going.
My Mt. Rushmore:
Mom, Dad, Andres Bautista (mentor), and my wife
Why I Love SSB: I love working with our kids!

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Lizandro Salazar
Houston Restaurant Rec: Tiny Boxwood's
Dream Vacation: Venice, Monaco, Greece
Things I love: soccer, futgolf, kayaking, cycling
Favorite Quote: Truth sounds like hate to those who hate the truth.
Why I Love SSB: I love the staff!