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Minnesota Baseball Academy Instructors -n- Staff
Adam Barta ‚ Owner, Minnesota Baseball Academy/Competitive Edge Adam Barta is a Lake Crystal, Minnesota native, and has been involved with baseball all of his life pitching in college and professionally along with coaching high school, college, and professional players. Barta played at St. Scholastica, a nationally-ranked NCAA in Duluth, MN. Barta was 19-5 in his career and is on the career leaders list in appearances and wins in a season at CSS. He beat nationally ranked Wartburg in 1998, a win that allowed CSS to be ranked for the first time. In 1999, he threw three shutouts, helping the pitching staff set an NCAA record for shutouts in a season with 13 (13 Oshkosh, 1999). After graduating in 1999, he began his coaching career as an assistant under Head Coach John Baggs. During Bartas time as a player and assistant coach, St. Scholastica was among the leaders in the nation in E.R.A and fielding percentage. In the spring of 2000, Barta pitched professionally for the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League. Currently, Barta is the President of Competitive Edge, home of MBA, where he and his staff run camps, individual lessons, team practices and tryouts. He works in the Midwest as an associate scout for the Chicago White Sox running showcases for baseball players in the Midwest. Barta lives in Roseville with his wife, Heidi, and their son, Spencer.
John Anderson ‚ Competitive Edge Owner and MBA Director of Baseball Operations "Johnny", a college standout at Muscatine JC and Briar Cliff, earned All-American and Academic All-American as a college shortstop. After graduating in '99, John went to Sioux Falls University and was an assistant baseball coach and also earned his Masters Degree in Business. John has been playing baseball for the past nine seasons and is among the best independent players off all time. He has been a three-time all star at three separate positions - SS, Dubois County Dragons - LF, New Jersey Jackals - 2B, San Angelo Colts. Anderson won a Northeast League championship with the New Jersey Jackals in 2004 when he batted lead off and lead the league in at-bats, hits and doubles. John finished the 2006 season in San Angelo where he led the United Baseball League in average (.390) and was the leagues MVP. He also broke the independent league hitting streak record hitting in 31 straight games. John got his contract bought by the Chicago White Sox in 2007 where he hit .280 as an every day second baseman before being moved up to Double AA Birmingham before getting released in 2008. John lives in Cottage Grove and is engaged to be married to Laura Ayers July 31st in Cottage Grove, MN.
Steve Daugherty (Montana) ‚ Minnesota Blizzard Director and P.A.SE. Director With his background in Exercise Physiology, Steve has built Minnesota Baseball Academys strength and conditioning program (PASE - Power, Athleticism, Strength, Explosion) which most of our players are a part of. Becoming a great baseball player is important, but becoming a better athlete is something that Steve has a great passion for. Whether it be making a player faster, hit with more pop or creating more velocity, Daugherty has a passion for getting athletes to perform at peak levels. "Montana" has been with Minnesota Baseball Academy for six years and works with the majority of the student/athletes that come through MBA's doors.
Ben Moore, a Hudson High School, WI graduate, was all-conference and all-state north team senior year (9-2 2.50ERA .550 BA) At the time of graduation, Ben was the all-time American Legion record holder for wins and batting average. In 2003, Moore signed as a free agent with the New York Yankees and in 2004 was a combined 9-3 with a 3.30 ERA with Low A, High A, and Double AA affiliates. As a top pitching prospect reaching 95mph on a regular basis, Ben suffered a season-ending groin injury and was released in 2005. Ben quickly signed with the Winnipeg of the Northern League in 2006 and led all pitchers with a 2.50 ERA in 96 IP. That winter, he played in Colombia and led that league in ERA (2.35) and was second in strikeouts. In 2007, Ben was fourth in the league in strikeouts and continued his winter ball tear in Colombia where he went 6-0 with a 2.80 ERA and helped Barranquilla win a championship. In 2008, Moore was second in the American Association in strikeouts while winning ten games and leading the Sioux Falls Canaries to an American Association Championship.
Ryan Morse, who played at SMSU from 2003-05, plays for the Vero Beach Devil Rays in the Class A FSL and will play for the East Division All-Stars. A native of St. Cloud, Minn., Morse is 2-1 this season with a 2.72 ERA appearing in 13 games with six starts. In 53 innings pitched he has recorded 31 strikeouts while allowing 15 walks and 46 hits. Opponents are hitting just .236 against him. Morse, SMSU's first and only Major League Baseball draft-pick, was selected in the 13th round of the 2005 draft. In 2006 he was named Pitcher of the Year at Rookie League Princeton (W.Va.), where made 10 starts before being promoted to short-season Hudson Valley. His combined 2.78 ERA in 2006 ranked fifth in the organization. In 2007 he finished 5-6 with a 3.99 ERA appearing in 30 games with 16 starts for Class A Columbus in the South Atlantic League. Morse played three seasons for SMSU earning first team All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honors all three years. A second team all-region honoree in 2005, Morse finished his career at SMSU with a 17-11 record in 35 games with a 4.51 ERA. He ranks second in school history in strikeouts (190), third in strikeouts/per nine innings (9.02), tied for sixth in wins (17), seventh in games started (34) and eighth in innings pitched (189.2). He also tossed the sixth no-hitter in school history on Mar. 29, 2005 versus Minnesota, Crookston. Morse works with MBA's top pitchers and young hitters. Ryan currently resides in St. Cloud with his wife, Traci.
Derrick Pfeffer, regarded as one of Minnesota Baseball Academy's top instructors for his ability to teach hitting, pitching and infield has been with the program for three years. Pfeffer was a standout high school player and a top recruit touching 89mph as a senior. Pfeffer played at Iowa Central leading his team to back-to-back Junior College World Series as both a pitcher and hitter. After Iowa Central, Derrick transferred to Waldorf and pitched 17 complete games in two years leading his pitching staff and the school in that category. Derrick lives in Hastings, MN.
Joe Dempsey, Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitting and catching instructor, was a four-year letter winner at Div. I Butler University. Dempsey was a standout starting catcher all four years earning first-team all-conference and captain his senior year. After graduating, Dempsey played professionally for the Lincoln Saltdogs in 2008 of the American Association League before getting traded to the Rockford Riverhawks of the Frontier League. Dempsey currently resides in St. Paul, MN.
Joe Anthonsen, an Iowa Central junior college prodigy and Division I Campbell University graduate, will be entering his fourth year of independent league baseball. While at Iowa Central, this quick middle infielder took his team to the World Series two consecutive years while earning himself two 1st team all-region player awards. At Campbell, he was 1st team all-conference and was rewarded with a trip to the Cape Cod league, one of the best wood-bat leagues in the nation, where we won a championship with the YD Red Sox. After college, Joey A, played pro ball for Rockford in 2006 where he was an all-star shortstop his first year. In the summer of 2008, Joe won the Frontier League Batting title hitting .352. Joe works with all of Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitters and advanced infielders.
Luke Appert, who was a 2-time Big Ten Player of the Year for the Minnesota Gophers, was drafted in the 6th round by the Oakland Athletics in 2003. In 2004, Luke led his Class A Kane County Cougars in almost every offensive category including walks and on-base percentage. In 2005, the 2nd baseman was promoted to High A with the Stockton Ports where he continued to be among the team leaders in all offensive categories. Luke also made a short appearance in Triple A with the Sacramento River Cats in 2005. In the winter of 2007, Luke got picked up by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Rule 5 draft and has been playing with them at the AA/AAA level since. Appert works with Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitters and infielders.
Mark Dolenc, a Mankato State outfielder and pitcher, was drafted in the 15th round by the Minnesota Twins in 2006. He'll be entering his third year of professional baseball when he joins the Class A affiliate Beloit Snappers. Mark spent his first year in the Gulf Coast League before moving to the Appalachian League his second year where he hit .287 and was rewarded with his second invite to the Fall Instructional League. Beginning his third year with the the Twins, the speedy outfielder (6.5 60) will be looking to move up to either High A or AA this year. Mark works with all of Minnesota Baseball Academy's advanced hitters and outfielders.
John Wilkins brings with him with a lifetime of baseball experience. As a player, John split his collegiate career between the University of Minnesota and Mankato State University. After his playing days, John transitioned the same level of commitment and passion into coaching the game of baseball. Wilkins has spent the past 30+ years coaching at the high school level. He has also been an ambassador of the game of baseball through his service to USA Baseball, Junior Olympics and the Minnesota High School Baseball Association. He has received a number of awards for his contributions to the game including the baseball meritorious service award from the ABCA. John resides in St. Michael with Audrey, his wife. They have two children Rob and Shannon.
Jeff Lahti, inducted into St. Scholastica's Hall of Fame in 2000, captained CSS to it's first-ever NCAA National Tournament appearance and finished his career having played in more wins (129) than any other Saint in history. The 2nd baseman was named NCAA All-Region and Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team his senior year in 1999. Jeff signed a professional with the Duluth Dukes of the Northern League and hit .300. Currently, Lahti runs Physical Therapy, Sports and Beyond and will work with all players who are on rehab assignment.
Corey Kemp is in his sixth year as an assistant coach at the College of St. Scholastica under Head Coach John Baggs. This summer, he will enter his sixth season as the head coach of the Hermantown American Legion team. At CSS, "CK" became the programs all-time wins leader with 29. He is also the career leader in innings pitched, ERA, strikeouts and appearances. He was named the Conference Pitcher of the Year in 2000 and an All-American in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, Corey signed a professional contract with the Duluth-Superior Dukes of the Northern League. Kemp works with MBAs pitchers.
After his senior season, Rolloff had offers to play at the next level but chose not to in order to spend more time with his new bride, Janie |
| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 24 February 2010 23:16 ) |
Matt Radamacher, originally from Bay City, MI, comes to Minnesota having played with the Alexandria Beetles (Alexandria, MN) of the Northwoods collegiate baseball league and has made a home in Minneapolis. Rademacher attended the University of Michigan where he spent three years, including a red shirt year, playing under Coach Rich Maloney. From there Rademacher transferred to play for Coach Gary Gilmore at Coastal Carolina University, where he spent his remaining two years. At Coastal, Rademacher anchored the Chanticleers behind the plate helping them finish the 2007 season ranked 17th in the country, as well as a Big South Conference Championship and NCAA Regional appearance as a host. Rademacher then signed with the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League after finishing his senior season at Coastal Carolina University. "Rads" works with all Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitters and catchers. He is also the 12u Elite Blizzard coach.
Brandon Rolloff, concluded his college career with a bang by going 8 for 12 with 1 hr, 2 triples, and 3 doubles in the NCC Conference Tournament. In his four year career at Augustana, Rolloff's dynamic style of play enabled him to play all three outfield positions. In his freshman campaign, Rolloff was the only freshman to be named to the NCC, All-Conference Baseball Team.