Meet the Owner — Russ Canzler
Russ Canzler is a Hazleton, Pennsylvania native and former Major League Baseball player whose professional career and passion for player development are the foundation of RCS Warpath Baseball.
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2004, Canzler went on to play 12 seasons of professional baseball, including time at the Major League level in 2011 and 2012. A multiple-time professional All-Star and the 2011 International League MVP, he built a career defined by work ethic, preparation, and a deep understanding of the game.
Throughout his playing career, Canzler remained committed to working camps and clinics, developing a passion for teaching and mentoring young athletes.
After retiring from professional baseball in 2015, he returned home with a vision to bring the training methods, knowledge, and standards of professional baseball to players in Northeast Pennsylvania. That vision led to the creation of RCS Warpath Baseball and, in 2023, the opening of the RCS Academy — a year-round training facility that serves as the hub for player development programs and Warpath travel teams.
In addition to leading Warpath, Canzler serves as Head Baseball Coach at Hazleton Area High School, where his program consistently competes at the highest level of Pennsylvania 6A baseball. His coaching philosophy centers on long-term player development, competitive excellence, and building confident young men on and off the field.
Russ and his wife Kim live in the Hazleton area with their six children and remain deeply committed to serving their community through the game of baseball.