Wabash Valley Wildcats

My name is Andy McNeany, and I am excited for the opportunity to lead and develop young athletes through competitive travel softball.

My passion for coaching and player development stems from a lifetime spent around the game. I grew up in Delphi, Indiana, where I played baseballthroughout my youth and high school career. Following high school, I continued my baseball career at the College of DuPage, where I studied several aspects of the game, including baseball strategy, player development, and athletic conditioning.

In my twenties, I coached youth baseball at Wea, helping young athletes develop both fundamental skills and a love for competition. Years Iater, when my daughter chose to play softball, I became immersed in the sport and quickly recognized many similarities to the game I had loved my entire life. While learning the unique nuances, movements, and strategies that make softball different from baseball, I found a renewed passion for coaching and player development.

My softball coaching journey began as an assistant coach on two 10U recreational softball teams. ln the fall of 2025, I accepted my first head coaching role with a 10U recreational team. During the 2026 season, I served as the head coach of a 10U Battle Ground recreational team while also leading the Battle Ground Showcase Team, which competed in weekend USSSA travel softball tournaments.

Through these experiences, I have gained valuable knowledge in tournament scheduling, roster management, player development, and the day-to-day responsibilities required to operate a sucressfultravel softball program. I continue to learn and grow as a coach and am excited to further develop both myself and the athletes entrusted to our program.

My coaching philosophy extends far beyond wins and losses. While we willwork hard to compete at a high level, our primary goal is to help athletes develop as complete players and confident young people. I am assembling a knowledgeable coaching staff that shares this vision and brings expertise in multiple areas of athlete development.

The game of baseball and softball has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am grateful for the lessons it has taught me and the opportunities it has provided. I look forward to sharing that passion with a dedicated group of young athletes while helping them build skills, confidence, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime.

My love for the game began when I was five years old, playing baseball on my dad's Little League team. I played baseball until I was 12, and was no longer allowed to play because I was a girl. I was told there was a sport called softball for girls, so I gave it a try, but the transition from baseball was challenging, and I eventually stepped away from the game.

At 15, I discovered another passion—group fitness. I began teaching at 17 and never looked back. Today, I serve as the Healthy Living Director at the YMCA, where I have the privilege of helping people build strength, confidence, and healthier lives while making a meaningful impact in our community every day.

Before joining the YMCA, I spent 15 years teaching high school English in my home state of New York. My experiences in both education and fitness have shown me the incredible impact strong female role models can have on young women. I believe every girl deserves someone who believes in her, challenges her, and helps her recognize what she's capable of.

When my daughter started playing softball, I found my way back to the game as an assistant coach and eventually a head coach. Coaching has become the perfect blend of my passions. I love helping athletes become stronger physically while also building resilience, confidence, leadership, and a positive mindset.

As both a coach and a mom, my goal extends far beyond wins and losses. I want every player to leave the field more confident than when she arrived—to find her voice, embrace challenges, overcome adversity, support her teammates, and believe in herself both on and off the field. If these young women leave our program knowing they are capable of more than they ever imagined, then we've accomplished something truly meaningful.

My name is Tyler Forbes and I am a born and raised West Lafayette resident. I am a Harrison High School graduate; class of 2012.

At a young age, I developed a love for baseball. Starting the game at 5 with recreational team play; I moved on to playing travel baseball by 9 for the Lafayette Lightning for one year, then moving on to Indiana Lions. Playing on a travel team has created not only great memories for me, but also long standing friendships. Baseball carried me all through high school, where I was able to gain even more friendships and knowledge/love of the game.

In 2013, I coached a pony league team for a season before moving into a career and starting a family. Now that my kids have found a love for the game, I have made my way back to coaching. In Fall of 2025, I was a helper coach for a 10U softball team and 6U baseball team through Battleground Rec. As my schedule allowed, I would fill-in for coaches where needed and offered help to both teams. In Spring of 2026, I was an assistant coach along side Andy McNeany for a 10U softball team at Battleground as well.

Softball has always intrigued me. The fast paced and competitiveness of the game has drawn me in, where now I can share that love and interest with my own daughter. My goal is to not only share this with my daughter, but to also help guide other girls to find their love through this game. Some of the best years I have experienced were with my travel team, and I hope to be able to create that for others as well. Winning every game will mean nothing if you’re not loving what you do.