The Field

Coaching Staff

One head coach. A committed staff. Family first — always.

Chris Balcom  •  Head Coach  •  Family-First Program

Coaching Model

Texas Venom is led by Head Coach Chris Balcom, supported by a committed assistant staff. The model is simple: the head coach owns development and game decisions, the assistants back him on the field, and the Co-Directors handle everything off it.

Coaches coach. They are never pulled into dues, scheduling, parent logistics, or paperwork — that lives with the Co-Directors. When a coach has a family conflict, assistant coverage keeps practice and games on plan.

Family first is not an excuse — it's the policy. This program was built by parents who understand that coaches showing up for their own kids is exactly the character we want coaching ours. A coach who prioritizes family teaches the right values on the field.

Meet the Coach

CB
Head Coach
Chris Balcom
Head Coach • Co-Director

Former 7-year professional baseball player with 10+ years in player development across ages 8–18. His program is built on pushing every athlete to her highest potential — on and off the field.

Owns lineups, development, strategy, and rotations. Family-first by design: when a family conflict arises, the assistant staff keeps the field covered without a drop in standard.

Player development Game strategy Family-First
Assistant Staff

Three-Deep Assistant Bench

A head coach is only as steady as the staff behind him. Venom carries up to three assistant coaches so practices run on plan, position groups get real attention, and no game is ever left without leadership — including when the head coach has a family conflict.

  • → Position-group ownership — hitting, defense, pitching/catching
  • → Selected by the head coach
  • → Same development framework — no knowledge gap on coverage days
  • → Zero administrative burden

The Firewall Policy

The head coach and assistant staff are protected by the same firewall. No parent, Board Member, or Co-Director has authority over coaching decisions — and no one criticizes family-first absences.

Coaching concerns → addressed by the head coach, face-to-face, within 24 hours of the game
Org concerns (dues, scheduling, conduct) → Co-Directors only, never the coaches
Family absences by either coach are communicated in advance, covered by the other, and never subject to parent critique
No Board Member, Co-Director, or parent may challenge, dispute, or pressure either coach to reverse any coaching decision or family priority

This policy is in the bylaws. It's not a handshake agreement — it's a formal Board-level commitment that protects both coaches and sets the expectation for every family that joins this program.

Staff Structure

Head Coach

Chris Balcom

  • → Lineups, game strategy, rotations
  • → Player development plans
  • → Final on-field authority
  • → Co-Director — coaching representative
Assistant Coach

Welch

  • → Position-group coaching
  • → Practice execution
  • → Coverage when head coach is out
  • → Zero administrative burden
Open — Assistant

Assistant Coach

  • → Position-group ownership
  • → Selected by the head coach
  • → Zero administrative burden
Open — Assistant

Pitching / Catching Coach

  • → Pitching & catching development
  • → Selected by the head coach
  • → Zero administrative burden

Interested in coaching? Texas Venom is recruiting assistant and specialty coaches. You coach — we handle everything else. Contact the Co-Directors.