John Barrera has been a student and teacher of fastpitch softball pitching for 14 years. After serving in the U.S. Army for 22 years, he retired and now resides in Fayetteville with his wife. John's daughter, Belinda, attended college at East Tennessee State University as a pitcher on a softball scholarship.
As a pitching coach, he began giving instruction at the encouragement of head coach Ron Simpson and now has the privilege to coach beside him. Barrera gained travel ball experience while serving as the pitching coach for the North Carolina Flames 18U. The team amassed six state championships in three years from ASA, NSA, USSSA, and USFA. They earned third place finishes at the USFA Nationals in 2002 & 2003 in Panama City Beach, Fla. In 2003, the team finished second at the Pony Nationals in Raleigh, N.C. Additionally, Barrera coached the Fayetteville Academy softball team in Fayetteville.
Barrera continuously seeks improvement by attending coaching clinics. He has attended clinics conducted by pitching legend Ernie Parker (pitching coach to Lisa Fernandez and Jennie Finch), L.B. Bailey (China National Softball Team and Greek Olympic pitching coach), Cheri Kempf (Founder of the K Club - the largest pitching facility in the U.S.) and Mike Candrea (U.S. Olympic Softball Coach).
Barrera has conducted numerous pitching clinics for recreational leagues, middle schools, and high schools. He also gives private lessons.
