Baseball Coaching Staff

• Mark Yoshino - Head Coach
• Scott Fairbanks - Assistant Coach
• Dana McCracken - Assistant Coach
• Dave Smart - Assistant Coach
  
  
  
  

Mark Yoshino
Head Coach

Coach Mark Yoshino enters his tenth year as Head Coach at Bellevue, and eigteenth year of coaching overall. Fifteen of those eighteen have been at Bellevue. Yoshino was fortunate to take over a team that has only had one losing season in over 30 years. In a day and age where coaching turnover is high at all levels, the consistent success of the baseball program is partly due to the coaching stability at BCC. Yoshino follows a short list of baseball coaches at Bellevue, which includes Jim Harryman, Ray Washburn, Bob Albo, Jim Johnson, and his predecessor, Mike Kanzaki. During the fifteen years as part of the Bellevue tradition, Yoshino has played an active role in the growth of an already successful baseball program. Since his inception into Bellevue Community College athletics in 1994, Yoshino has helped over 108 players move on to continue playing baseball and furthering their education at four-year colleges, set a school record for most wins in a season, and increased net fundraising revenue by 50%. He has also helped spearhead greater community involvement to numerous youth baseball leagues on the eastside from the Little League to American Legion level. His commitment to the eastside baseball community is evident by his attendance at youth baseball games for all age levels throughout the area in addition to his numerous coaching clinics as well. Yoshino has also helped cultivate several facility development projects for Courter Field along with an increase in the number of student-athletes graduating with a two-year degree while playing baseball at the college. The team is currently graduating approximately 75% of their sophomores, which is a major success for athletic programs at the community college level. Entering his tenth year as Head Coach, Yoshino has coached 27 players who were drafted by professional teams. He has had eighteen pitchers drafted since his inception in '94 with six signing professionally in the last five years.

Prior to becoming part of the Helmsmen coaching staff, Yoshino was associated as a player and coach at Bellevue's arch-rival opponent, Edmonds Community College. As Head Assistant at Bellevue from 1994-1998, Yoshino was responsible for performing duties such as coaching pitchers, development of the off-season speed/strength & conditioning program, recruiting, maintaining Courter Field, coordinating youth instruction programs, promotions, fundraising, budget management, equipment-uniforms, academic advising, and sports information. These are duties that he continues today as Head Coach.

His first year not only was successful by his own terms, but also was one of the best seasons ever in school history. Yoshino earned North Region Coach of the Year honors for assembling a region championship club. In addition to the team setting a school record for wins, Yoshino felt that the program's greatest accomplishments that year were individual, as ten of twelve second-year players earned a degree. In addition, nine of those were recruited by and placed into four-year college baseball programs. The '02 season will also go down in Bellevue history as one of the greatest teams for their 34-14 record and runner-up finish at the NWAACC Championships. Bellevue finished with the number one ranking in the NWAACC Coaches' Poll in '02 as Yoshino was named Coach of the Year.

In 2003, fourteen players received scholarships to play baseball at the next level - more than any other college in the league. Of those fourteen, eleven were to division I universities while another was to one of the top NAIA programs in the nation. Two turned down scholarships to pursue professional baseball.

This past year in 2007 was one of the greatest as far as the team goes, but was another success for Coach Yoshino's primary goals: graduation and moving on to a four-year. 13 players from the team are now at four-year colleges while 9 of them received their transfer degree. Winning the schools first NWAACC Championship in over 28 years was just icing on the cake.

A 1987 Interlake HS (Bellevue) grad, Yoshino accumulated several accomplishments as a pitcher in both high school and college. As a junior, Yoshino sported a 0.60 ERA for the 24-1 Saints, who captured the class AAA state championship in addition to a final ranking of 16th in the nation by U.S.A. Today. The following year, Yoshino earned All-KingCo honors as he captained the Saints to a Crest Division title. Yoshino then took the mound at Edmonds CC, compiling a two-year record of 12-1 for Coach Bill Stubbs. In 1989, Edmonds finished second in the NWAACC with a 40-6 record, one of only three teams to win 40 games in the history of NWAACC baseball. Yoshino was named recipient of the Art Feiro Award (first and only Edmonds CC athlete to ever receive this honor), which is presented annually to the top scholar-athlete in the NWAACC.

After a recurring elbow injury ended his playing days after earning a scholarship to the University of Portland, Yoshino returned home to begin coaching. He began with the U.S. Bank (now known as Washington Bankers Connie Mack) team in 1990. He was with the summer league powerhouse for seven years. During his U.S. Bank stint, Yoshino spent one season as pitching coach at Edmonds CC, where his staff sported the lowest team ERA (2.40) in the NWAACC. Other coaching stints include the Sandy Koufax level (13-14 year-olds), and the Chaffey 18-under Baseball Club in 1997, a team which he played on in his prep days. He has been a clinician-speaker at several events in the region including the Pemco All-Sports Clinic, Pacific Northwest Coaches' Convention, Bellevue CC Camps, Edmonds CC Camps, Washington Baseball Camps, St. Martin's College Camps, Dave Valle Baseball Camps, and Diamond Baseball Camps. His baseball knowledge has also been utilized in the past by previously serving as an associate scout in the early 90's for both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox organizations before he became a coach at Bellevue.

Yoshino earned his master's degree from Pacific Lutheran University in exercise science/athletic administration. He graduated with honors and a 3.9 g.p.a. In 1993, he obtained his bachelor's degree in exercise & sport science from Western Washington University. He was selected by the faculty at Western as the Outstanding Graduating Senior and Physical Education Major of the Year for graduating with a 4.0 g.p.a. Yoshino also served an internship at the Philadelphia Phillies spring training site in Clearwater, FL, assisting the sports medicine team with the physical conditioning / injury rehabilitation of minor leaguers. Yoshino earned the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist title, which is recognized by university athletic and professional sport organizations as the credential to work with elite athletes at either level. Yoshino is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine, National Strength & Conditioning Association, and American Baseball Coaches Association among others.

Yoshino's academic and professional credentials in the health & fitness field have given him the opportunity to also work at the college as a full-time instructor in physical education and health. He is a tenured faculty member at the college and is also the Assistant Athletic Director and Men's Athletic Commissioner. In 1996, Yoshino was a nominee for the Margin of Excellence Award, which is annually presented to an employee on campus whose dedicated efforts towards helping students and serving the college are recognized. Although mostly known for his hard work on the baseball diamond, Yoshino is just as proud of his efforts 'in the classroom' - as a student and as an instructor. To Yoshino, these accolades are the true reflection of his efforts at serving as a positive role model for the players at Bellevue. His promotion of sportsmanship while still demonstrating success in a competitive college athletic environment has been recognized by his peers. In 1999, Yoshino was asked to speak at the Seamount League Sportsmanship Summit. His commitment towards enhancing the image of Pacific Northwest baseball is also evidenced by his active role on the NWAACC Baseball Committee. Yoshino and his wife Lisa and their newborn son Quinn (born 11-11-07) reside in Newcastle.

Personal: Lists greatest baseball thrill as "every day I'm on the yard when the plush green grass I've just mowed has the perfect striping pattern in it"...self-described as the nice guy who has never finished last...goal is to provide the total experience, which includes winning, moving onto 4-year or pro ball, instruction, the best uniforms, a great facility to play on, and great memories to all of his players every year...favorites include golf vacations to one of America's greatest 100 golf courses, late night runs to Dick's Drive-In (hobbies), every BCC athletic team (teams), Tiger Woods (athlete), Contact, Heathers, For Love of the Game (movies), any golf tournament (TV show), Jodie Foster (actor), Sting, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans (musical performers), Dick's cheeseburgers (food), Picture Perfect - Mowing Techniques for Sports (book), Travel & Leisure Golf (magazine).

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Scott Fairbanks
Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach Scott Fairbanks begins his third year of coaching at the college level after a learning experience in 2006 as interim coach for Olympic College in his hometown of Bremerton. Originally signing on as a volunteer coach, Fairbanks was thrusted into an everyday coaching role after a mid-season termination of the head coach. His exposure to a variety of duties was perhaps one of the fastest ways to learn the realms of college coaching. Now a local resident, Fairbanks is continuing his true passion at his alma mater.

In addition to assisting Yoshino with coaching and managing the Bulldog pitching staff, Fairbanks is also taking over as recruiting coordinator. With an eye for evaluating talent, Fairbanks has visions of either a major college coaching or professional scouting career. His experience at all levels is of tremendous value to the team this year. This summer, Fairbanks will also coach the Bankers Baseball Club, an 18-under summer team with a storied tradition.

Fairbanks prepped at Olympic HS in Silverdale, WA. He was a two-time All-Olympic League pitcher and led the Trojans to post-season play. WIth a sidearm 88 mph fast ball, Fairbanks was a one-of-a-kind in the state, and was named a member of the Seattle Mariners area code team in the summer of '98. He was recruited by the University of Miami but enrolled at a junior college instead, with ambitions of becoming a professional pitcher. He was a standout out of the bullpen for Yoshino at BCC in '01 and '02. He earned a scholarship to Lewis-Clark State College, the national powerhouse. He was finally drafted after his senior campaign by the Oakland Athletics. He played two years of professional baseball before settling down this past season to begin coaching. Fairbanks and his wife Jody reside in Issaquah.

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Dana McCracken
Assistant Coach

Dana McCracken returns for his second year of coaching at BCC after starring for Bellevue in the late 90's. He was an integral part of the last Bellevue team that used metal bats before the league-mandated switch to wood.

McCracken will have plenty to offer the athletes on this year's team. He will not only coach third base, but will coach the catchers, assist with hitting instruction and provide his knowledge and healing techniques as the team's chiropractor. McCracken will also assist with the weight program for the Bulldogs.

As a player, McCracken was a standout at Lake Washington HS. He was a team captain as a senior, hitting .410 and was named second-team all-KingCo catcher. He led the Kangs to the league title in '95 and a third place finish at state in '94. He graduated with a 3.9 g.p.a. before enrolling at Bellevue.

At BCC, McCracken was a starting catcher for Bellevue during his two years ('97-'98). He had the second-best average on the team as a freshman (.374) and hit .407 as a sophomore. He held the top slugging percentage in '98 with an amazing .692 average. McCracken had a .972 fielding average and was a first-team All-Region catcher as a freshman and second-team catcher as a sophomore. From Bellevue, McCracken earned his AAS degree and accepted a scholarship to the University of Hawaii-Hilo where he started for his final two years of college for the Vulcans. McCracken graduated with a B.A. in Biology and was on the dean's list for his academic achievement.

McCracken then went on to Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon. He received his doctorate of chiropractic (D.C.) in '04. McCracken currently operates his own chiropractic center, McCracken Chiropractic and Wellness Center. He also coaches Lux Homes 18-under Connie Mack in the summer, his second year with the club. McCracken is single and resides in Kirkland.

Personal: lists greatest baseball thrill as state championships while at Lake Washington HS...favorites include weights, softball (hobbies), Mariners (team), Gary Sheffield (athlete), Anchorman (movie), Scrubs (TV show), Russell Crowe (actor), Angelina Jolie (actress), Pearl Jam (musical performer), pizza (food).

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Dave Smart
Assistant Coach

Coach Smart has been the infield coach at Tahoma High School for the last eight years. In 2003, all four infielders went on to play collegiate baseball. In 2007 all four infielders received D-1 scholarships. For the last nine years Coach Smart has operated Gold Glove Baseball Camps with former Bellevue and Edmonds coach Bill Stubbs. Coach Smart and Stubbs also teach hitting at Rips Training Center in Burien. In November of 2007 Coach Smart was named Director of Baseball Operations at Rock Creek Sports Training Center in the Maple Valley area.

Coach Smart resides in Maple Valley with his wife Mindy. They have two children. Ryan 22, a former Bellevue CC infielder, just finished his D-1 career at Charleston Southern University. Taylor, 15 is a sophomore infielder at Tahoma High School. Coach Smart will be responsible for hitting and infield at Bellevue.

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