Each offseason, the Minnesota Twins Community Fund kicks off the youth baseball and softball seasons by hosting the Minnesota Twins Coaches Clinics at Target Field!
We believe that coaches can make a powerful difference in the lives of young people, and coaching isn't just about creating great athletes—it's about creating great human beings! That's why we bring together a full lineup of experts from across the country to share instruction and inspiration for coaches of all levels to lead their team. From little leagues to high school teams, from first-time coaches to veteran coaches, these clinics are a great way to pick up new baseball and softball coaching skills, drills and philosophies.
We are proud to host our clinics in partnership with the Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association and the Minnesota State High School Baseball Coaches Association. We are working together to cultivate a community of coaches that lead with passion, hustle, heart and fun!
Registration is now open!
Butch Thompson is a renowned college baseball coach with a storied career. A native of Amory, Mississippi, he has developed numerous talented players, including 24 Major League Baseball draft picks. Thompson has led Auburn University to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, including a College World Series berth in 2019. His coaching philosophy emphasizes strong pitching, sound defense, and aggressive baserunning.
Gianni Bloom is the Jupiter Hammerheads Defensive Coach. Prior to this role, he served as the Director of Player Development for the University of California, Santa Barbara baseball program. As a former UCSB Gaucho catcher, Bloom brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the position. His focus on defensive excellence and player development makes him an excellent speaker for our clinic.
Todd Fitz-Gerald is the head baseball coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where he has led the Eagles to multiple Florida state championships, including titles in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Under his leadership, the program has become a national powerhouse known for producing top-tier talent, with several players advancing to college baseball and the MLB draft. Fitz-Gerald has over 20 years of coaching experience. His coaching philosophy centers on discipline, teamwork, and developing players both on and off the field.
Keith Bateman is a coach that does things the right way. At Augsburg, Bateman has coached 29 All-MIAC; nine All-MIAC Defensive Team; 17 All-Region student-athletes, including one MIAC Rookie of the Year; one Regional Rookie of the Year; and one NCAA DIII/Rawlings Gold Glove recipient. Bateman has had 12 players play in summer collegiate baseball leagues with 10 of those playing in the prestigious Northwoods League. He has also had two of his former players go on to sign professional contracts. Bateman's players have also had success in the classroom with 51 Academic All-MIAC and nine Academic All-District award winners, one Academic All-American, and one NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient.
Navery Moore, the Minnesota Twins Assistant Director of Pro Player Procurement, brings a wealth of baseball experience to his role. Selected by the Boston Red Sox in the 26th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, Moore's impressive collegiate career at Battle Ground Academy earned him recognition as a 2008 First-Team All-Mid-State designated hitter and the Anderson Bat National Player of the Year. His contributions were instrumental in leading Battle Ground Academy to multiple regular season and tournament championships.
Moore continued his baseball journey at Vanderbilt University, where he played under the guidance of renowned coach Tim Corbin. His talent caught the attention of major league scouts, and he was subsequently drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 2011 MLB Draft.
Born and raised in Minnesota, Andrew Ettel has been a lifelong Twins fan thanks to his dad who instilled a love for baseball at an early age. While playing baseball through high school, Ettel found he had a greater aptitude for math and went on to attend the University of Minnesota. Currently residing in Lino Lakes, Ettel was the first dedicated analyst for the Minnesota Twins, beginning as an intern in 2012. As a baseball research analyst, his current focus lies in building predictive models for player acquisition and development and assisting with in-game strategy.
Ryan Brownlee is the head baseball coach at Western Illinois University. He has led the Leathernecks to increased success since taking over in 2013, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Brownlee’s teams have consistently produced talented players, with several being drafted by Major League Baseball organizations. Before Western Illinois, he served as an assistant coach at Iowa, where he was instrumental in recruiting and developing top talent.
Head baseball coach James Mulcahy has led the Perham High School Yellowjackets for the past seven years and consistently ranked in the top 10 of the state. Under Mulcahy, the Yellowjackets are 135-25 overall, 69-3 in conference play, and have won 6 consecutive conference Heart O Lakes conference titles, three Section 8AA titles, and three state appearances, including a 2nd place finish in 2023. Previously, he coached in California at Verdugo Hills High School and Granada Hills High School where he guided the Highlanders to the D2 Los Angeles City Championship in 2004. Coach Mulcahy attributes much of the Yellowjackets’ success to their early season focus while indoors. In many years this can be as many as 4+ weeks, which forces the team to develop skills, compete, and get game-ready in small spaces. The Yellowjackets have not had a single outdoor practice in the last three years before their first game.
Connor Gandossy joined the University of Minnesota baseball program in 2024 as an assistant coach. With a proven track record of developing hitters and catchers, Gandossy brings valuable experience from his seven years at Creighton University. He played a key role in the Bluejays' success, including multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and consistently strong offensive performances. Before Creighton, Gandossy spent the 2012-16 seasons at Saint Louis University, where he served as an assistant coach for four years.
Ty McDevitt is the head baseball coach at the University of Minnesota. He has recently taken over the program after a long and successful tenure under John Anderson. Known for his innovative approach to pitching development, McDevitt emphasizes data-driven analysis and cutting-edge techniques. Under his guidance, the Gophers pitching staff has seen significant improvement, particularly in terms of performance and injury prevention. McDevitt's commitment to player development and his passion for the game have made him a respected figure in college baseball.
With a deep admiration and love for the game, much of Larry DiVito’s life has been set within the four corners of a baseball diamond. DiVito has starred in every role from player to coach in America’s favorite pastime. For the past three decades Larry Divito has taken the stage as a groundskeeper, including 15 years as the Head Groundskeeper for the Minnesota Twins. Throughout DiVito’s extensive resume, baseball serves as the commonality. When asked what it was that kept him in baseball for all these years, DiVito did not hesitate with his answer: “I love this game, I respect the game. I love to see things run properly for a sport I have great passion for. And game days, I love game day. That is what keeps me going.”
Troy Urdahl has been the head baseball coach since 2002 at St. Anthony Village High School, where he also serves as the school's activities director. Urdahl’s teams have won two Minnesota state championships during that time and Urdahl has been named state baseball coach of the year twice. He has served as a state all-star coach and has been inducted into the Litchfield Baseball Association and Minnesota High School Baseball Coaches Association Halls of Fame. Urdahl wrote the baseball-themed coaching leadership book Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life which reached #1 best-seller status on Amazon. In 2024 Urdahl was a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association baseball coach of the year, and he also coached for the Norweigan National Baseball team in the European championships. Urdahl completed his doctoral research studying the participation experiences of high school athletes.
Registration is coming soon. Please check back!
Jailyn Ford enters her sixth professional season and fourth with the Pride. Ford played her first two seasons with the Akron Racers and was drafted 3rd overall in the 2016 NPF Draft. She was acquired by the USSSA Pride prior to the 2018 season after being released by the Racers. She also plays in the Japan Softball League (JSL) where she had the lowest ERA in 2019 and 2020. She won best 9 for pitcher in the JSL in 2019.
Dallas Escobedo is a renowned figure in the world of softball. A former collegiate All-American and Olympian, she has excelled at every level of the sport.
During her time at Arizona State, Escobedo was instrumental in leading the Sun Devils to the 2011 Women's College World Series title. Her impressive pitching performances have solidified her place in the record books for both Arizona State and the collegiate level.
After her collegiate career, Escobedo was selected first overall by the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the 2014 NPF Draft. She has also represented both Team USA and Team Mexico on the international stage, helping Team Mexico achieve a fourth-place finish at the 2020 Summer Olympics. Currently, Escobedo serves as the pitching coach at Cal State Fullerton, sharing her expertise with the next generation of softball stars.
Kayla Hatting is the head softball coach at St. Olaf College, where she has led the team to significant success since 2016. Under her guidance, the Oles have won multiple conference championships and made appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Hatting has been recognized for her coaching excellence, earning MIAC Coach of the Year honors and developing numerous All-Conference and All-Region players. She has transformed the St. Olaf softball program into a consistent contender on the national stage.
Jennifer Trotter is the head softball coach at St. Thomas University. In her three seasons, she has guided the Tommies to improved performance each year, including a win against a top-25 team and their first Power 5 victory. She has developed talent, coaching two consecutive Summit League Freshman of the Year awards. Trotter’s leadership has brought increased competitiveness to the St. Thomas softball program.
Colleen Powers is the head softball coach at St. Catherine University. In her 12 seasons, she has transformed the Wildcats into a dominant force in the MIAC. Powers has led the team to multiple MIAC championships and NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic run to the NCAA Championship Round. Her coaching excellence has been recognized with numerous awards, including MIAC Coach of the Year honors.
John Tschida, who first held the head coaching position at St. Mary's from 1995 to 2000, led St. Mary’s to the school’s first NCAA Division III national championship. Tschida's Cardinals not only captured their first MIAC regular-season title since 2001 but also claimed the MIAC playoff crown for the first time in program history. SMU finished 1-2 in the NCAA Regional Tournament in 2024. A two-time National Coach of the Year, Tschida has been named the MIAC Coach of the Year 14 times (the most recent in 2024) and was voted into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame in December 2016.
Megan Rembielak, founder of MegRem Softball, is a former Division 1 softball player and coach. Influenced by her father, a former Division 1 baseball coach, she developed a strong foundation in the sport. As a standout shortstop at Appalachian State University, Rembielak excelled both on and off the field. With MegRem, she aims to share her knowledge and experience to help young athletes reach their full potential.
Bryan Ludwig played college baseball at Augsburg University (NCAA DIII) as a catcher and first baseman from 2004 to 2008. Since 2010, he has been serving as a rehab bullpen catcher for the Minnesota Twins. Notably, in 2014, Ludwig was a bullpen catcher for the American League during the MLB All-Star Game held at Target Field. In his coaching career he has taken on several roles, including lead instructor at the Minnesota Twins Training Academy and head coach and catching instructor for club baseball at Great Lakes Baseball Academy. Ludwig is currently a volunteer assistant and catching coordinator with the Auggies.
Ludwig has recently broadened his catching instruction efforts by working as a catching consultant for St. Catherine University and serving as an in-house catching instructor for the MN ICE (2019-2021) and Midwest Speed (2022-present) softball programs, contributing to the growth of the catching position in that sport as well.
Alicia du’Monceaux is the head softball coach at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minnesota. In her 16 seasons, she has guided the Eagles to significant success, including their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2018. Under her leadership, the team has consistently excelled both on and off the field.
