Since 1999 - 38 MLB Draft Picks - 500+ College Scholarships
VIPER BASEBALL ACADEMY
Our Coaching Staff
Rickie Diehl
Pitching Instructor + Owner
Rickie Diehl started North Alabama Vipers travel baseball team in 1998 to provide a more competitive atmosphere and a more structured learning environment for the players in his area. The success of this one team helped to establish Viper Baseball Academy in 2003 - bringing kids from not only the North Alabama region, but players from all over the state of Alabama and Tennessee.
Since then, Rickie has produced teams that have gone on to win countless state championships and world series. Over the past 15 years alone, Rickie has served as head coach for over 150 college baseball players and 30 drafted Major League Baseball players. Along with the success of his players, Rickie has won over 1500 games, 78 tournaments, 4 world series, and 11 USSSA state championships. Coach Diehl has also served as the 2011 USSSA Alabama Coach of the Year and has been inducted into the Alabama USSSA Coaches Hall of Fame.
Along with the success of Viper Baseball Academy, Rickie also operates his family business Diehl Automotive in Huntsville, Alabama where he resides. He is a husband to Patricia Diehl and father to his three children: Shawn, Ryan, and Megan. When he’s not out coaching baseball, he enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.
Contact Info:
(256)508-3591
Shawn Diehl
Hitting Instructor + Head Coach of 16U National
Coach Shawn Diehl is a graduate from Belhaven University where he played under, Mississippi Hall of Fame Coach, Hill Denson. Shawn was a switch hitting shortstop and helped lead Belhaven to the NAIA World Series in Lewiston, Idaho. He has coached 10U-17U VBA teams. Shawn has been training and developing baseball players at VBA from 2010 to present. He also assists other local travel teams to help develop better coaching and spread knowledge to the baseball community. " My ultimate goal is to teach a player how to coach himself both mentally and mechanically, thats when I know I've done a good job."
Contact info:
(256) 508-6723
Roger Wright
Pitching Instructor
Coach Wright is a 1983 graduate of Lee High School. He helped lead the Generals to two state semi-final appearances in 1981 and 1983. His 30 year career wins as a pitcher at Lee makes him the school's all-time wins' leader. He played baseball at Calhoun Community College and the University of North Alabama. Coach Wright began his coaching career at Lee High School, coaching football, basketball and baseball before moving to Buckhorn in 1997 as the head baseball coach and a history teacher. His 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 teams all competed in the state playoffs at the 5A level. The 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012 teams competed at the state playoffs at the 6A level. The 2012 team set the BHS school record for wins at 36. At the end of 2014, Coach Wright retired from BHS and became the pitching coach at the University of Alabama Huntsville. In 2016, he was inducted into the Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Wright is married to Belinda and they have three sons: Mitchell (25) who is now the head coach at Hazel Green, Kyle who is a Pitcher with the Kansas City Royals and Trey.
Contact info:
(256) 653-2931
Ryan Diehl
Trainer + Head Coach of 2025 National Teams
Coach Ryan Diehl is a 2009 graduate of Sparkman High School where he help lead the Senators to consecutive playoff appearances and a semi finals appearance in 2008. Ryan went on to play baseball at Northwest Shoals Community College, and later finished his degree at the University of Alabama. Ryan's competitive playing career with VBA started 1998 with the North Alabama Vipers, where he helped the vipers win countless tournaments, state championships, world series championships, and a prized Cooperstown championship in week 2 of 2002. Ryan's baseball knowledge, experience, and love for the game now translates into coaching, where he is a Trainer at VBA and coaches the VBA National Level teams. Ryan lives in Madison with his wife Nichole, and three children Banks, Parker and Bishop.
As of June 27, 2025
Chris Telaga
Hitting Instructor
Coach Telaga has been training and developing hitters at VBA from 2006 to present. He began coaching Viper Baseball teams in 2007 and recently served as head coach of the 2015 12u team. Coach Telaga spent the last 4 years on the Bob Jones baseball staff and prior to that was the assistant head coach at Sparkman High School for 10 years. Chris lives in Meridianville with his wife Sherri and his two kids Maggie and Garrett.
Contact info:
(256) 682-3918
Andrew Dennis
Head Coach of 14u National VBA Travel Baseball Team
Andrew Dennis “A.D.” is a former minor league catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. He played for VBA since 2002. A.D. also played on the 2005, week 3 Cooperstown Championship Team, the Rocket City Stingers. He graduated from Huntsville High where he played baseball and had the privilege of playing on their 2011 State championship team and was crowned the 2011 player of the year. Following high school, Andrew signed with Wallace State and was a 2 year starter on their baseball team. In 2013 he signed with UAB, but was instead drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 37th round. A.D. is a tough competitor but has the heart and patience of a teacher and desires to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of Elite players.
Contact info:
(256) 417-3679
Kris West
Coach of 7U Red, Former Coach of numerous VBA teams
Coach West is a graduate and former pitcher at Auburn University, 2007-2009. He graduated from Sparkman High School where he played baseball, football, and basketball. Coach West played baseball for Rickie Diehl before VBA was established and has coached the 11U - 15U Viper teams over the previous 4 seasons. Coach West is a tremendous motivator and teacher of the game.
“I consider it a privilege to share my knowledge of the game with young athletes. I am also honored to learn from Coach Diehl as I grow as a mentor. Rickie is the ultimate competitor and his passion to teach young players how to compete in the game of baseball, as well as life, is evident every day I am around him.”
Contact Info:
(256)683-0943