Meet The Team
Meet the Crosstown Baseball Team
All of our in-person sessions are led by Charlie’s team of experienced instructors who’ve been working together for years as both players and coaches. We love the game and have a blast sharing that passion with our players. With backgrounds in collegiate and professional baseball, we offer expert guidance built on a shared philosophy.
Charlie Tilson
Charlie is a former Major League outfielder who played 11 professional seasons with the Cardinals, White Sox, Pirates, and Phillies. A second-round draft pick out of New Trier High School, he made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. Tilson posted a
.288 career batting average, stole more than 150 bases and was named the top defensive outfielder in the Cardinals organization by Baseball America.
Brian Schlitter
A Chicago-area native and Maine South High School alum, Schlitter began his professional journey after being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2007. He played in the MLB for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics. Schlitter’s career also includes international experience with Japan’s Saitama Seibu Lions.
Ryan Lidge
Ryan is a Barrington native and cousin of MLB All-Star Brad Lidge. A standout catcher at Notre Dame, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and went on to enjoy a successful professional career. In 2022, he earned All-Star honors with the Chicago Dogs, hitting .322 with 12 home runs and 80 RBIs. Recognized for his leadership, competitiveness, and mental toughness, Ryan now serves as a mental performance coach with Jim Fannin’s ZoneCoach®, where he helps athletes develop confidence, focus, and a championship mindset.
Christian Friedrich
Christian pitched in the big leagues for the Rockies and Padres. He grew up in Evanston and attended Loyola Academy before heading to Eastern Kentucky, where he starred on the mound. A first-round pick in 2008, he made his MLB debut in 2012 and tallied over 200 strikeouts. He later continued his pro career with a stint in Korea for the NC Dinos.
John Calarco
John is a member of the St. Pats Hall of Fame and played professional baseball in the Pioneer league for the Salt Lake City Trappers. He is a tremendous coach for players of all ages. The proud father of local legends Anthony and Alex Calarco (Starting Catcher at University of Maryland), John has spent a lifetime in baseball as player, parent, and coach.
Anthony Calarco
Anthony holds the single season home run record at New Trier High School. He played collegiately at Northwestern where he was a First Team Big Ten Performer, then transferred to Ole Miss where he started at first base for the Rebels and subsequently was signed by the Texas Rangers. He currently plays for the Schaumburg Boomers.
Alex Calarco
Alex played at Northwestern University
before transferring to the University of Maryland, where he became a key contributor for the Terrapins. In 2025, he posted 19 home runs and a 1.044 OPS for the University of Maryland, establishing himself as one of the most productive hitters in the Big Ten.
Tony Livermore
Tony Livermore is an infielder from Chicago who starred at Northwestern University, where he made 49 starts at shortstop in 2024 and posted a .980 fielding percentage, committing just four errors in 200 chances. A graduate of Mount Carmel High School, Tony was a four- year captain in both baseball and football.
