In just his third year as head coach of the Becker baseball team, Tyler Niedfeldt says he is “learning that the more I learn the more I realize I don't know.”

Fortunately, Niedfeldt has surrounded himself with  great baseball minds.

 

“I am really excited about our coaching staff,” he said. “For the first time since I have been here we have everyone on Becker staff and it is my hope that we can build some consistency for a few years in a row.”

 

Niedfeldt’s varsity assistant is Matt Eigen. The JV coach is Ryan Szymanski. The C-squad leader is Brett Knutsen. Eighth grade is coached by Mark Kolbinger and seventh by Todd Schuster.

 

Niedfeldt feels the Granite Ridge Conference is one the area’s best conferences around for baseball.

 

“Our conference is very strong when it comes to baseball,” he says.  “Foley, Little Falls, Albany and Cathedral will be very good again this year.”  

 

As far as Becker’s section foes goes, Monticello has a very talented, senior-heavy team this year that has been very successful the last few years.  

 

The team captains for 2019 are senior Dawson Hill and junior  Zack Wenner.

 

“Our captains are extensions of the coaches,” Niedfeldt says. “They should be able to start a practice and organize the players before coaches ask them to start.  They help mold goals and expectations for the season.”

 

The Bulldogs have a wealth of young pitchers on the team — plenty to choose from for Niedfeldt and his staff.

 

“I believe that our defense is good enough for our team to win some low scoring games,” said the head coach.

 

Forty-five kids (same amount as last year) have come out to play America’s game in grades nine-12.  

 

“We have great depth and for that reason, we will bounce some players back and forth between varsity and JV,” said Niedfeldt.  “I could easily have a bench of nine-10 guys but if I do that, players will lose at-bats and innings.  Our players understand that and have been carrying themselves in a very professional manner when asked to play JV.”

 

  Niedfeldt says he enjoys how the preparation of baseball at the high school level is mainly on the individual and own team.  

 

“There isn't as much 'scouting' and preparation of the opponent,” he said. “Getting our players ready to preform at their highest level can typically be done without having to scheme an opponent at the high school level.”

 

Niedfeldt’s biggest baseball mentor has been his own high school baseball coach.  

 

“He was able to teach us fundamentals and skills while keeping practices and games fun.  He was able to teach me some lifelong lessons about being a man as well.”

 

So far this season (as short as it has been), Niedfeldt hasn’t had to worry about any major injuries or missed time due to academics. His players have been putting in a lot of time during practices and worked out extensively in the off-season.

 

What are the realistic expectations for the team?

 

“I expect our boys to surprise some people,” Niedfeldt said.  “We lost a large number of very good seniors last year and many teams have no idea what Becker has coming up.  I am very hopeful for a winning season and a deep playoff run in a very competitive conference and section.”

 

The team consists of: Andrew Kolbinger, Jackson Thorn, Jeremy Laugen, Lucas Eigen, Mitchell Louden, Dawson Hill, Dustin Henkemeyer, Dalton Fouguette, Zachary Wenner, James Schafer, Noah Mohs, Cameron Fischer and Alex Berglund.