Mission and Goals

Our mission at Minnesota Baseball Academy is to:
Teach the fundamentals of baseball including: pitching - hitting - defense.
Correct bad habits and provide the tools to become a better player.
Educate players on in-game strategies.
Evaluate and Enhance the 5 tools of baseball...

... And have fun doing it!

Minnesota Baseball Academy’s goal is to educate and enhance the 5 tools of baseball: hitting for average, hitting for power, arm strength, speed and defensive ability.

Focusing on the fundamentals is the key to becoming a better baseball player. Teaching youth baseball players important drills and correcting bad habits at an early age allows them to get a jump on their competition. MBA brings the finest coaches to work the camps, including current college players, college coaches, as well as current and former professional players. Our student to coach ratio is usually 7:1, which allows each student to get plenty of individual attention.

Looking to increase your velocity, hit better to the opposite field, and be a slick fielder? We offer the resources including 5-tool evaluations, videotape breakdowns and in-game strategies.

Minnesota Baseball Academy Instructors

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 Barta’s 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. He got moved up for the 2008 season and will begin his time at Double AA with Birmingham.

John currently lives in Maple Grove.

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.

Joe Anthonson, a Iowa Central junior college prodigy and Division I Campbell University graduate, will be entering his third 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, Anthonson will be playing for the San Angelo Colts in Texas. Joe works with all of Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitters and advanced infielders.

Steve Daugherty (Montana) – Minnesota Blizzard Director and P.A.SE. Director
Daugherty, a 2004 St. Scholastica graduate, is CES's P.A.S.E. Director and Director of the Minnesota Blizzard. During his four years at CSS, his teams won four consecutive UMAC Championships and were ranked as high as 7th in the nation. Steve, who played 1st base and catcher, batted .350 in his four years and received the honorable Joe Pearson Blue-Gold Award, an award that signifies a CSS player who exemplifies hard work, great attitude, strong effort and is viewed as the "ultimate teammate."

With his background in Exercise Physiology, Steve has built Minnesota Baseball Academy’s 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.

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. He’ll start at the Triple AAA level. Appert works with Minnesota Baseball Academy's hitters and infielders.

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.

Chris Weber, who played his first year of professional baseball with the Sioux Falls Canaries, served as their starting shortstop and was a mainstay in their line-up. Weber has also been the head coach for several Blizzard teams taking many of his teams into championship rounds. "C-Web" will serve as MBA's hitting and infield instructor.

Adam Olow, outfielder and star of the St. Paul Saints, is just the second player in Saints' history to play four seasons. It is his seventh overall year in independent baseball. A college star at Chapman (CA), Adam played three seasons for Dubois Country in the Frontier League prior to joining the Saints. In 2004, Adam set the league record for batting average with a .376 mark. He also set Saints' standards for hits (128) and hit by pitch (15). His total for runs and doubles were just one shy of team standards. In 2002 at Dubois County, he led the league in On-Base Percentage (.485), finished second in Runs and Walks and fifth in Batting Average. Adam works with MBA's hitters and infielders.

Brent Krause, who was the 2005 Northern League Rookie of the Year, will be in his 2nd year with Minnesota Baseball Academy. Brent, who hit .327 (14hr, 51rbi, 29 dbls), signed with the Twins Double AA affiliate last year before returning to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in 2006 where he batted .282 with 6 HR and 22 stolen bases. Krause played college ball for Jamestown, a 2004 College World Series participant, and was a 4-time all conference player, 3-time all-region, and 3-year All-American honorable mention. Brent works with MBA's hitters, outfielders and catchers.

Colin Brackeen, a 15th round draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1997, enjoyed a five-year professional career, three with Toronto, two with the St. Paul Saints and one with the Duluth Dukes. "Bracks" was a standout collegiate pitcher, earning All-American honors his senior year at St. Olaf where he led the entire nation in strikeouts with 14.1 per nine innings highlighted by striking out 17 in a 7 inning game against Carleton. Colin also played in the Northwoods collegiate league with the Rochester Honkers where he as an All-Star and set numerous records as a starting pitcher. Colin still plays amateur baseball with the Hastings Hawks and works with MBA's advanced pitching students.

Matt VanDerBosch, drafted in the 9th round by the Boston Red Sox in the 2004 amateur draft, will be starting his 3rd year with the Sox. In the summer of 2005, "Vandy" played almost the entire year at Double A leading off while playing centerfield. Matt was voted Lowell Spinners Player of the Year in 2004 and is projected to be in the big leagues in 2007. Matt helps out with Minnesota Baseball Academy's young 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.

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 MBA’s pitchers.

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 is a physical therapist with OSI in Stillwater and works with professional and amateur athletes.

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.

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