Famed Basketball Coach, Bobby Knight was quoted to say, “The key is not the “will to win” – everybody has that. It is the will to prepare to win that is important.”

On athletic stages throughout the world, youths can be seen shooting baskets, throwing tennis balls at brick walls, kicking soccer balls into a net, or merely spending time on the field while the other children are heading to the lockers. These youths are the ones which are preparing themselves for future athletic success, but how does one achieve independent repetition catching and throwing a football?

In 1993, inventor, Mike McGonigle developed and patented a ball, the Passback™ Football (U.S. Patent No. 6,264,574), which provides independent practice and hours of fun for children and adults alike. The ball is a one of a kind training and learning tool which comes in both junior and official sizes. It is thrown like a regulation football, but is engineered to hit a surface and come spiraling back.

First Base Sports Group, LLC, a Montana Limited Liability Company founded in 2008, holds the exclusive licensing agreement for this patented product. First Base Sports is a marketing and management company dedicated and committed to introducing the Passback™ air filled football to the American Public.

First Base Sports Group, LLC is currently owned and managed by its founding members, Mr. Mark J. Shutey, Mr. Corey F. Brock, Mr. Matthew P. Pelletier, Mr. Bill Dilfer, and Mr. Steve Emtman.

Mr. Mark J. Shutey is a dynamic leader with in excess of 18 years proven management and entrepreneurial experience. He possesses an extremely diverse range of abilities which include strategic planning, business finance, corporation start up, new technology development, market analyses, market introduction, advertising and sales. Mr. Shutey’s background includes experience with cutting edge technological development resulting in extensive patent, trademark, and publishing involvement. He has managed major projects throughout the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Mr. Shutey’s career has been focused on turning concepts into reality and reality into profits. Mr. Shutey holds a B.S. degree in engineering from Montana Tech.

Mr. Corey F. Brock provides both legal expertise and business finance expertise. Mr. Brock is a general partner in Brock Carpenter and McGuire P.S. Graduating cum laude from Willamette College of Law, Mr. Brock’s career has been focused around corporate and business law, as he has been heavily involved with countless corporation start-ups, growth oriented companies, acquisitions/mergers, business planning and raising capital.

Mr. Steve Emtman is one of the most highly recognized collegiate and professional athletes in the U.S. As a Defensive Lineman and Leader for the 1991 National Championship, Washington Huskies, Mr. Emtman received accolades to include the Outland Trophy, Lombari Trophy, selection as All-American Chevrolet Defensive Player of the year and candidacy for the Heisman Trophy. He was the first player selected in the first round of the 1992 NFL draft and played six years of professional football for the Colts, 49ers, Red Skins and Dolphins before being forced to retire due to injury. Mr. Emtman was a Business Management Major at the University of Washington and has been involved with and invested in numerous start-up companies over the past several years.

Mr. Matthew P. Pelletier, CPA, CFO, provides over 22 years of accounting and entrepreneurial experience. Mr. Pelletier is a general partner in MR & Company, Inc. graduating with a Business Administration degree from Carroll College, as well as an accounting degree from the University of Nevada Reno. Matt specializes in Corporate as well as Individual Taxation and business start up and formation.

Mr. Bill Dilfer is a proven executive with over 25 years experience leading Marketing and Business Development organizations in large and small companies as well as start-ups. Mr. Dilfer’s career has focused on creating and executing strategies for companies selling products through various indirect channels, including resellers, manufacture reps, and OEM customers. Mr. Dilfer holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and an Engineering degree from California State University at San Luis Obispo.