THE LINEUP
FCA Baseball Staff are missionaries who in faith have stepped out to serve Jesus and see kingdom impact. All staff are faith funded by a home team made up of gospel patrons who support through prayer, encouragement, and financial giving.
TEAM ORR
BEN ORR
MINISTRY DIRECTOR
Ben came to FCA Baseball after spending 5 years with Missionary Athletes International, a non-profit Christian soccer ministry. Ben served as the Director of Creative Media and Director of Camps for the Southern California Seahorses Los Angeles office. Ben has always felt a strong desire to be involved in sports ministry. At age 14 he worked his first soccer camp with the Seahorses, leading a group of 5-6 year olds.
In 2000 while playing professional baseball, Ben founded the Called Up Baseball Camp allowing him to share his baseball skills and reach the surrounding baseball community with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In January of 2011 Ben joined the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to pioneer and direct a new division of FCA Baseball in Southern California, the first division for FCA Baseball on the West Coast.
Ben played baseball at Biola University and then signed a professional contract with the Chicago Cubs in 2001. After playing for the Boise Hawks (Short Season A) and the Daytona Cubs (High A) Ben was released from the organization. Ben pursued baseball for two more seasons playing for the Canton Coyotes (OH.), the Solono Stealheads (CA.), and the Gary Railcats (IN.) Ben retired from baseball in 2003.
Ben married his beautiful wife Lindsay on October 13, 2002 in Eugene Oregon. Lindsay is a Violin teacher. They have settled in La Mirada, CA and have four sons Caleb, Jackson, Owen, and Titus. They attend Grace EV Free Church in La Mirada.
CONTACT BEN
Phone: (562) 686-8262
Email: borr@fca.org
TEAM FRIESEN
Isaac Friesen
DIRECTOR OF Operations / Shepherds Ministry Director
Isaac has spent his whole life either on or in close proximity to a baseball diamond. However those fields have rarely been close to home. Growing up and playing his prep career near Boulder, Colorado, his summer teams traveled across the USA and sought to play the best competition.
Upon finishing high school with All-State honors, Isaac pursued the opportunity to play college baseball at Seminole State College in Oklahoma where he was honored as an Academic All-American at Seminole. He transferred to the University of Hawaii in Honolulu his Jr. year where he became involved with FCA and grew in his faith as a student athlete. It was during that time, that his girlfriend Heather had a near death experience falling 50 feet off of a cliff while hiking. This was a turning point in his prayer life and relationship with The Lord. It showed him that he could not rely on his strength alone, but that he could seek God for the strength He offers through Jesus Christ. Heather and Isaac are now married and reside in the South Bay.
Now that Isaac has opened this new chapter of his life as a mentor and coach to the next generation, he is excited to have the chance to bring his experiences as a baseball player and as a man of God to connect with the next generation of warriors for Christ.
CONTACT ISAAC
Phone: (720) 878-4459
Email: ifriesen@fca.org
Jesse Lopez
DIRECTOR OF YOUTH TEAMS
Jesse was born in California, but founded his love for baseball in Albuquerque, New Mexico; starting out in t-ball for Mile High Little League. After spending 8 years of his childhood there, he moved back to California and continued to play baseball in Orange County for East/West Fullerton little league.
He continued to play baseball at Eldorado High School, graduating in 2017, and going on to play at Cypress College. After performing well at the junior college level, Jesse transferred to Long Beach State University to finish up his playing career. During this time, Jesse found his identity in Christ in freshman year, joining a life group and getting baptized in November of 2017. After his senior year of college, and having a faith conversation with one of his coaches, he found his way to FCA and started the coaching journey of developing ball players for Christ. Jesse started out as an assistant coach, then head coach, and eventually took over as the youth teams director where he now develops young athletes from the ages of 11-14 years old, into competitive players who are rooted in Christ.
During his playing career, Jesse found that his identity was often times found in baseball, rather than the Lord. Baseball had a way of gripping his emotions and heart in a way that was unhealthy. While working hard, sacrificing, and learning valuable lessons; the main thing was missing, which was Jesus. Jesse now resides in Fullerton, with the goal of helping athletes develop to the best of their abilities and keep Christ predominant in their hearts.
CONTACT JESSE
Phone: 714-768-9531
Email: jesselopez@fca.org
Deeanna Tomczak
Softball Lead / Youth Teams Admin
DeeAnna is a Southern California native who was a dedicated 3 sport athlete. After her playing days, she coached high school and travel softball for about 8 years. She lead a team to a Triple Crown World Series Championship. After having 3 boys, DeeAnna shifted her focus to baseball.
She began coaching her sons' teams and realized that she had the potential to start making a positive impact on the community. From her early years, she embraced the gospel and pursued a relationship with Jesus. DeeAnna has over a decade of experience in children's ministry at her church, and has dedicated herself to discipling youth.
FCA merges her passion for softball and her love for Jesus. DeeAnna is filled with excitement and appreciates how FCA maintains a standard of excellence by prioritizing quality sport instruction while always focusing on what truly matters most, which is the athletes relationship with Christ!
CONTACT DEEANNA
Phone: (714) 944-7833
Email: dtomczak@fca.org