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Instructors

Mike Skogen- Owner/Instructor

From 1996-2012, Coach Skogen had the unique opportunity to have been involved with coaching baseball at every level of play from T-Ball though NCAA Division I, Division II each year, as well as professional. In 2007 alone, Coach Skogen was involved with coaching five of the six considered levels of baseball (T-Ball, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth, College, and Professional). Coach Skogen has had success coaching at every level of the game from State Championships at the youth level including a 36 game winning streak over two seasons to a North Central Conference Championship at the NCAA Division 2 college level. A native of Johnstown, ND and graduate of Midway HS (Inkster, ND), Coach Skogen completed his degree at North Dakota State University with a Major in Physical Education, a Minor in Coaching, and a Masters in Athletic Administration.

  • 1996-2009- Midway T-Ball, Cal Ripken, Babe Ruth Program Director & Head Coach
  • 1998-2006- North Dakota State University- Assistant Coach
  • 2007-2012- Minnesota State-Moorhead Club Baseball- Head Coach
  • 2007-2008- Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks- Assistant Coach
  • 2010- Fargo Post 2 Legion Hitting Coach
  • 2011- Opened The Ball Yard

Patrick Gaylord- Hitting, Infield, Pitching

  • Hometown- Katy, TX
  • Starting SS for University of Houston
  • Hit .266 and fielded .960 over his professional career.

Mike Lang- Outfield, Hitting

  • Hometown- Dumont, NJ
  • Outfielder
  • College- Rutgers University (NCAA Big 10)
  • Career Hits Record Holder with the Sioux City Explorers

Past Instructors

Erik Swanson- Pitching- With the Seattle Mariners

  • Hometown- Terrace Park, OH
  • 2014 8th Rd Draft Pick of the Texas Rangers
  • Traded in 2016 to the NY Yankees for Carlos Beltran
  • College-Iowa Western Junior College
  • Helped lead Iowa Western to a National Championship
  • Named Most Outstanding Pitcher at the NJCAA D1 World Series

Kole Zimmerman- Catchers/Outfield/Hitting/Velocity Program

  • Hometown- Windom, MN
  • 4 Year starting Catcher/Infielder/Outfielder at NDSU
  • Helped lead NDSU to a North Central Conference title in 2004
  • 4 Year starting Middle Linebacker for NDSU Football
  • Current Assistant Coach with the FM RedHawks

Matt Strahm- Pitchers- Now Pitching for the San Diego Padres

  • Hometown- West Fargo, ND
  • Led NJCAA Division 1 in srikeouts with 122 in 99 innings in 2012
  • Finished his career at Neo Sho CC as the all time leader in Strikeouts, Complete Games, and Shutouts
  • Signed to play at the University of Nebraska after Junior College
  • Drafted in the 21st Round of the 2012 MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals
  • Signed with the Royals and played in Idaho Falls in 2012.

Jay Flaa- Pitching- With the Baltimore Orioles

  • Hometown- Mandan, ND
  • Pitcher
  • 2015 8th Round Draft Pick- Baltimore Orioles
  • Currently in the Orioles Minor League System
  • College- NDSU

Kyle Kingsley- Pitching

  • Hometown- Fargo, ND
  • Pitched as the Closer for North Dakota State University
  • Had a 2.06ERA in 39.1 innings his Senior Season
  • Played with the FM RedHawks and Sioux City Explorers in 2013 compiling a 3.38ERA.

Max Casper- Now Coaching at NDSU

  • Hometown- Circle Pines, MN
  • 4 year starting SS at NDSU
  • Finished his NDSU career as the all time leader in games played, defensive assists, sac flies, and sac bunts. He is second in defensive chances, and at bats and third in total hits.
  • Signed with Sioux Falls and finished the season with the FM RedHawks in the American Association.
  • Played Professionally 2013-2016
  • Was an Assistant Coach with Augustana College (SD) helping them to a National Championship in 2018.

Tanner Adam- Catchers/Infielders Instructor

  • Hometown Langdon, ND
  • Played two seasons at Des Moines Area CC leading them to two JUCO World Series as a Catcher/Infielder
  • Played two seasons at NDSU as a Catcher/Infielder.
  • Current Bullpen Catcher for the FM RedHawks

Jason Kalbrener- Pitchers

  • Starting pitcher for 4 seasons with NDSU
  • Finished his career 6th in All Time Wins and 5th in Strikeouts/9 Innings at NDSU
  • Pitched professionally with Evansville of the Frontier League where he made 17 starts.

Kaia Sele- Fastpitch Softball Hitting/Fielding- Now Coaching with Concordia College

  • Hometown- Bemidji, MN
  • Concordia's starting first baseman for four seasons from 2010-13
  • Three-time All-MIAC award winner
  • Concordia's all-time leader in home runs and hits
  • .381 batting average over the course of her 135-game career
  • Career .974 fielding percentage