In the final few days before Craig heads out to Texas, I wanted to acknowledge what he’s provided to Ballplayers over the last 14 months and wish him luck as he puts his spikes back on to pitch in a 3 week tryout.

Before coming in to work every day, he’s been training on his own to prepare to get back on the mound 3 years after finishing his college pitching career at Mayville State University in North Dakota. The tryout will be an opportunity to see where he stands, and has given him the ability to take what he’s learned after college and apply it. It’s always super interesting to realize how much you learn once you begin coaching - stuff that you wish you knew while you were still playing. As a young coach, it’s mutually beneficial to work with younger athletes, because you can teach them everything you’ve learned along the way - but in that teaching, you learn new things yourself as well.

Craig has built quite a following, with his schedule getting filled up with lessons almost every day of the week - so he will have big shoes to fill while he’s gone. If you ask any of the young Ballplayers he works with, they’ll surely say that he’s made them a better player and held them accountable - whether that’s with their pitching, hitting, or defense.

In addition to private lessons, Craig has been a valuable part of our staff as the Head Coach of our summer and fall 18U teams, coaching clinics and camps, group hitting sessions, and teaching many of our Speed & Strong classes.

On behalf of myself and all our coaches, we wish Craig the best of luck in Texas and will gladly welcome him back - whether that’s in a few weeks or several months.

*Craig has a couple openings remaining between today and his last day on Friday here. Coaches Austin, Caleb and James will pick up his shifts once he leaves.