Baseball LMW: 2026

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

01/07/26 TCC / Tri County Conference 2026 Baseball Preview - unofficial - last update: 01/07/26

01/07/26 TCC / Tri County Conference 2026 Baseball Preview - unofficial - last update: 01/07/26

TCC - https://tricountyconference.wordpress.com/

Below -

1- MHSAA 2026 Baseball Calendar & enrollment classifications

2 - 2025 TCC Standings / MPR rankings

3 - 2025 MHSBCA & TCC awards

4 - state champions & runner-up

5 - websites of interest

6 - possible first games (subject to change)

7 - some of the SEC players rostered after high school (and some pros)

*MPR note: MPR is a ranking system that COULD be used for seeding playoff teams. The biggest issue I see is that not all results are reported to the MHSAA. Whether this is done thru lack of staff or to “stay under the radar” or just “why bother” I do not know. However, if coaches want seeding, then it is necessary to have accurate information. So coaches - you choose!

MPR (Baseball) - https://www.mhsaa.com/sports/baseball/mpr

2026 MHSAA Baseball Calendar -

Practice Begins - March 9

First Contest - March 18

(ACT Test date - April 11)

(SAT Test date - May 2)

(Memorial Day - May 25)

District Finals - May 29 or 30

Regionals - June 3, 6

Quarterfinals - June 6

(SAT Test date - June 6)

Semifinals - McLane Stadium, MSU, East Lansing - June 11-12

(ACT Test date - June 13)

Finals - McLane Stadium, MSU, East Lansing - June 13

Enrollment classifications -

Division 1 - 944 and above (153 schools)

Division 2 - between 437 - 943 (152 schools)

Division 3 - between 233 - 436 (156 schools)

Division 4 - 232 and below (151 schools)

* * *

2025 TCC Standings - TCC W-L - (MHSAA MPR W-L / MPR)

from https://tricountyconference.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/tcc-picks-2025-all-league-baseball-team/

*Ottawa Lake Whiteford - 11-0 - TCC Champion (D3 20-9 / 0.575)

Sand Creek - 8-4 - (D3 15-14 / 0.519)

Britton Deerfield - 5-4 - (D4 13-7 / 0.489)

Petersburg Summerfield - 6-6 - (D4 16-10 / 0.498)

Erie Mason - 5-6 - (D3 7-24 / 0.430)

Lenawee Christian - 2-8 - (D4 6-13 / 0.388)

Morenci - 1-10 - (D4 10-13 / 0.396)

* * *

TCC / Tri-County Conference -

#Britton Deerfield (D4 / 125)

Baseball Head Coach: Andrew Clark (19 years? )

Address: 201 College Ave; Britton; 49229 - Phone: (517) 451-4581

Field: at school (west of football field)

Pressbox: no

Concessions: ?

Rest Rooms: port-a-johns

Athletic website: https://britton-deerfields.bigteams.com/

#Erie Mason (D3 / 363)

Baseball Head Coach: Blain Moore (4th year)

Address: 2400 Mason Eagles Dr; Erie; 48133 - Phone: (734) 848-9350

Field: at school (north of school, next to football field)

Pressbox: can't remember

Concessions: ?

Rest Rooms: ?

Athletic website: https://emathletics.org/

#Lenawee Christian (D4 / 114)

Baseball Head Coach: Jamie Beach (3rd year)

Address: 111 Wolf Creek Hwy; Adrian; 49221 - Phone: (517) 265-7590

Field: Cougar Park - at school, nothwest of main building

Pressbox: ?

Concessions: ?

Rest Rooms: ?

Athletic website: https://lcscougars.com/

#Morenci (D4 / 138)

Baseball Head Coach: not assigned (01/06/26) - posted 10/20/25

Address: 788 Coomer St.; Morenci; 49256 - Phone: (517) 458-7506

Field: at school - south of school east of the football stadium

Pressbox: ?

Concessions: ?

Rest Rooms: ?

Athletic website: https://www.morencibulldogs.org/o/athletics

#Sand Creek (D3 / 237)

Baseball Head Coach: Wayne Perry (10th year - Hudson/93)

Address: 6518 Sand Creek Hwy; Sand Creek; 49279 - Phone: (517) 436-3124

Field: north side of Gorman Road, northwest of school

Pressbox: ?

Concessions: ?

Rest Rooms: ?

Athletic website: https://www.sc-aggies.us/athletics

#Petersburg Summerfield (D4 / 162)

Baseball Head Coach: Reid Olmstead (6th year - Summerfield/15 - Siena Heights)

Address: 17555 Ida West Rd; Petersburg; 49270 - Phone: (734) 279-1012

Field: Darrell Polter Field (south of school next to football stadium)

Pressbox: yes - stadium seating

Concessions: yes

Rest Rooms: ?

Athletic website:

#Ottawa Lake Whiteford (D3 / 263)

Baseball Head Coach: Terry Pant (14th year)

Address: 6655 Consear Rd; Ottawa Lake; 49267 - Phone: (734) 856-1443

Field: at school

Pressbox: yes

Concessions: yes

Rest Rooms: not sure

Athletic website: https://www.whitefordathletics.com/

* * *

2025 MHSBCA Awards - https://www.mhsbca.org/page/show/6074717-2021-2030

*MHSBCA Hall of Fame -

Darrell Polter (Petersburg Summerfield) - inducted 1999

Jack Luettke (Whiteford) - inducted 2024

*MHSBCA Dream Team -

*MHSBCA All-State Division 3 -

Tre Eitniear (Whiteford/27) - first team

*MHSBCA All-State Division 4 -

Russell LaRocca (Summerfield/26) - second team

*TCC 2025 All-Conference selections - https://tricountyconference.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/tcc-picks-2025-all-league-baseball-team/

Keegan Bush, Britton Deerfield/25 - 1st team, infield

Ryan Good, Britton Deerfield/25 - honorable mention

Luke Wiser, Britton Deerfield/25 - honorable mention

Caden Freeman, Britton Deerfield/25 - Sportsmanship

Karter Stubleski, Erie Mason/25 - 1st team, Pitcher

T.J. Langenderfer, Erie Mason/27 - honorable mention

Carson Ellerbrock, Erie Mason/25 - Sportsmanship

Colton Clymer, Lenawee Christian/27 - 1st team, catcher

Gage Hammang, Lenawee Christian/25 - 1st team, designated hitter

Drew Kirkendall, Lenawee Christian/27 - Sportsmanship

Wyatt Stevens, Morenci/25 - 1st team, infield

Talan Kruse, Morenci/26 - 1st team, outfield

Zach Stevens, Morenci/25 - Sportsmanship

Andon Sutherland, Sand Creek/26 - 1st team, infield

Reid Hulett, Sand Creek/25 - 1st team, infield

Ivan Wilkinson, Sand Creek/26 - 1st team, outfield

Jared Snyder, Sand Creek/25 - honorable mention

Carter Bettcher, Sand Creek/28 - honorable mention

Dane Morrin, Sand Creek/25 - Sportsmanship

Reece Kalb, Summerfield/26 - 1st team, Pitcher

Russell LaRocca, Summerfield/26 - 1st team, outfield

Allen Roof, Summerfield/26 - honorable mention

Tyler Dafoe, Summerfield/25 - honorable mention

Clark Ciacelli, Summerfield/26 - Sportsmanship

Dalton Neal, Whiteford/25 - 1st team, Pitcher

Zayne Emch, Whiteford/26 - 1st team, catcher

Nate Stevens, Whiteford/25 - 1st team, infield

Tre Eitniear, Whiteford/27 - 1st team, infield

Trent Eitniear, Whiteford/25 - 1st team outfield

Brendon Masters, Whiteford/25 - Sportsmanship

* * *

State Champions (1971-2025, Current TCC schools) -

2019 - Petersburg Summerfield - D4

1991 - Erie Mason - Class C

Runner-up (1971-2025, Current SEC schools) -

1989 - Erie Mason - Class C

* * *

Websites of interest -

TCC / Tri-County Conference - https://tricountyconference.wordpress.com/

NFHS / National Federation of State High School Associations - https://www.nfhs.org/

MHSAA / Michigan High School Athletic Association - https://www.mhsaa.com/

NFHS Baseball - https://www.nfhs.org/sports/baseball

NFHS 2026 Baseball Rule Changes - https://www.nfhs.org/sports/baseball/rules

MHSAA Baseball - https://www.mhsaa.com/sports/baseball

MHSAA Baseball MPR (not currently used for seeding) - https://www.mhsaa.com/sports/baseball/mpr

MHSBCA / Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association - https://www.mhsbca.org/

* * *

First games (from MHSAA site, 01/06/2026 - home team listed first)

March 18, 2026 - Adrian Lenawee Christian (0-0) vs. East Jackson (0-0), 4:30 PM

March 19, 2026 - Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (0-0) vs. Erie Mason (0-0), 6:00 PM

March 23, 2026 - Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (0-0) vs. Petersburg Summerfield (0-0), 4:00 PM

March 26, 2026 - Monroe St Mary Catholic Central (0-0) vs. Ottawa Lake Whiteford (0-0), 4:00 PM

March 30, 2026 - Morenci (0-0) vs. Stryker (OH) (0-0), 4:30 PM

April 02, 2026 - Britton Deerfield (0-0) vs. Waldron (0-0), 4:00 PM

April 08, 2026 - Morenci (0-0) vs. Sand Creek (0-0), 4:00 PM

* * *

01/07/2026 - Jim's (SECLMW) Baseball notes - unofficial

Unofficial, Uneditted and replete with errors of commission and omission

also posted at: http://baseballlmw.blogspot.com/

and http://albdistrict2mi.blogspot.com/ (American Legion Baseball)

* * *

Below -

* News Items

* Camps, Dining & social events (detailed in the calendar section)

* 2026 “calendar” - concentrating on January - April

* selected links (HS, coaches association, AmericanLegion)

News -

*Eric Theisen (Adrian HS & Adrian Post 275 / Milwaukee Brewers) - Mr Theisen is promoted to "Lead Hitting Coach" with Guillermo Martinez and Daniel Vogelbach as subordinates; Heavy Sports - https://heavy.com/sports/mlb/milwaukee-brewers/daniel-vogelbach-coach-news/

*Joey Wiemer (Bedford HS) - Mr Wiemer has been "claimed" by the Washington Nationals -

MLB.com - https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/nationals-claim-joey-wiemer-waivers-giants.html

*OHSAA NIL Resource Center “Understanding the OHSAA Name, Image, Likeness - Personal Branding Rights Bylaw” - https://www.ohsaa.org/Eligibility/NIL-Resource-Center

Upcoming Camps, Dining & Social events - see “calendar below for links -

January 8-11 - 2026 ABCA Convention in Columbus, OH

January 9-10 - 2026 MHSBCA Convention

January 22-24 - 2026 OHSBCA State Clinic

January 22-24 - 2026 IHSBCA (Indiana) State Clinic

January 24 - Hillsdale College First Pitch Dinner & Auction

January 31 - Wayne State Baseball “Born In Detroit” camp

February 7 - Wayne State Baseball “Born In Detroit” camp

2026 tentative calendar -

#January -

January 1 - Legion Registration Opens

January 1 - Legion Background checks and abuse trainings may begin

January 8-11 - 2026 ABCA Convention in Columbus, OH - https://www.abca.org/ABCA/ABCA/Events/Convention/ABCA_Convention_Home.aspx

Midwest speakers scheduled include:

Justin Haire, Ohio State University - Hard To Kill: Building a Bulletproof Pressure-Driven Offense

Tim Held, Archbishop Moeller High School - Unlocking the Power of a Dynamic Offense

John Vodenlich, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Fundamental Baseball That Wins Games

Jason Whited, Centerville High School - Creating Outs That Win the Game: A Deep Dive Into Pickoffs

Mike Deegan, Denison University - Culture, Training Environments, and Competition: A Systematic Approach to Development

and more in the various panel sessions - https://www.abca.org/ABCA/Events/Convention/Rookie_Coaches_Mentorship_Hot_Stove_Sessions.as px

January 9-10 - 2026 MHSBCA Convention at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Mt Pleasant, MI

convention agenda - https://www.mhsbca.org/ (scroll down for agenda) - speakers include -

Brad Bush - MHSAA (what's new in the MHSAA)

Matt Shoemaker - MLB (resilience - Trenton HS grad)

Adam Vrable - University of Louisville Assistant (outfield play - Bay City Central grad)

Chris Andrews - Portage Northen HS (mental game & program building)

Brian Nelson - Oakland University Head Coach (resource management - leadership)

Chris Newell - Oakland University Director of Program Development (batting)

Bruce Fields & Daniel Fields - MLB (batting)

Wayne Welton & Joe Welton - (throwing - position player and pitcher; practice organization)

Dan Cimini - small ball / offensive pressure

Corbin Boone - performance training and culture

January 17 - Wisconsin ALBA/Legion Meeting 11:30am Open Session - Green Bay

January 22-24 - 2026 OHSBCA State Clinic at Columbus Hilton at Easton (3900 Chagrin Dr, Columbus, OH 43219) - https://www.ohsbca.org/aws/OHSBCA/pt/sp/programs-state

Agenda (12/13/25) - https://www.ohsbca.org/aws/OHSBCA/asset_manager/get_file/928894?ver=4 speakers include (Mike Valesko / Jeff Mielcarek (Hall of Fame induction); Brian Hiscox (OHSBCA); Ryan Brownlee (ABCA); Dan DeLucia (Boston Red Sox); Brian Green (Wichita State); Phoenix Bat Assistant Coach of the Year; Marco Clay OHSBCA Field of the Year; Dr. Peter Fadde (GameSense); State Players of the Year; OC Sports Player of the Year; Victory & Service Awards; Poll coach of the Year ; Jeff Mielcarek (State of the OHSBCA); Greg Beals (Marshall); Justin Haire (The Ohio State University); Tony Vitello (San Francisco Giants); Chad Jensen (OHSBCA Clinic Welcome); Nick Mingione- (Kentucky); John Kronour (OHSAA); Gene Stechschulte (Ohio Northern); John Dowling (McClean/VA High School); Zeke Pinkham (Kent State); Tim Funkhouser (Edwardsville/IL High School); Scott Manahan (Capital University); Ryan Brownlee (ABCA); Tayler Sheriff (University of Cincinnati); Brad Burns (Pleasure Ridge Park/KY High School); Jeff Sherman (Marcus/TX High School); Daryl Moreau (FlexPro Grip); Brian Meyer (Minnesota Twins); Billy Berry (Tennessee Wesleyan); Mike Deegan (Denison); Tom Winske (University of Cincinnati); CJ Beatty (The 3-Laws of

Championship Communication);

January 22-24 - 2026 IHSBCA (Indiana) State Clinic at Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing; 8787 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, 46240 - https://ihsbca.org/2025/10/03/registration-is-now-open-for-the-ihsbca-state-clinic/

Tentative agenda (01/06/26) - https://ihsbca.org/2025/12/18/tentative-state-clinic-schedule/ sessions listed include:

Brian Meyer (MiLB Manager, Minnesota Twins) “Infield Efficiency: Training Core Concepts”

Brian Meyer (MiLB Manager, Minnesota Twins) “Hitting: Clarifying the Mess”

Dan McDonnell (University of Louisville) “Run the Bases to Win”

Jeff Mercer (Indiana University) “Offensive Training Progression that Translates to Game Play”

Jeff Mercer (Indiana University) “Infield Play: Drill Work and Incorporating Team Concepts ”

Seth Voltz (University of Notre Dame) “Choosing Your Arsenal; Fastballs and Offspeed Pitches ”

*IHSBCA Assistant Coaches Awards

Brian Green (Wichita State) “The Mental Game: The Drive Towards Getting Our Players to TRULY Play the Game 1 Pitch at a Time” University

Brian Green (Wichita State) “Hitting: It Starts with What...Philosophy - Plan of Action and Offensive Drills”

Dan Cimini (Warren/MI De La Salle) “Building a Championship Program/Culture”

*2025 State Champion Coaches Panel Discussion Hosted by Terry Gobert (Josh Meaney, Indianapolis Lutheran High School (1A); Sean Riley, Boone Grove High School (2A); Dave Pishkur, Andrean High School (3A); Todd Evans, Valparaiso High School (4A))

*Coach of the Year & Hall of Fame Banquet

*Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast with Matt Bair (Indiana Wesleyan University)

8:30-11:30 am * Exhibits Open: Plaza D & E and Suites #8, # 9, & #10

Josh Lindblom (Former MLB Pitcher/ Indiana Baseball HOF) “Baseball Talk: Q&A on Culture, Leadership and Pitching”

Alex Maloney (Ball State) “Catching: A Simplistic Approach to a Complex Position”

Alex Sogard (Wright State) “Building a Competitive Pitching Staff and Program”

*IHSAA Rules Interpretation Meeting with Robert Faulkens, IHSAA Assistant Commissioner

*January 24 - Hillsdale College First Pitch Dinner & Auction - https://events.hillsdale.edu/firstpitch2026?_gl=1*1vkqeom*_ga*Mzc5NzA1MzY4LjE3Njc2MjI4MTY.*_ga_FBJP6CFLDM*czE3Njc2MjI4MTUkbzEkZzAkdDE3Njc2MjI4MTUkajYwJGwwJGgw

January 31 - Wayne State Baseball “Born In Detroit” camp - https://wsuathletics.com/news/2025/12/17/baseball-program-to-host-four-born-in-detroit-camp-sessions.aspxb (ages 8-13 noon-2pm / ages 14-18 2:30pm-4:30pm)

#February -

February 7 - Wayne State Baseball “Born In Detroit” camp - https://wsuathletics.com/news/2025/12/17/baseball-program-to-host-four-born-in-detroit-camp-sessions.aspxb (ages 8-13 noon-2pm / ages 14-18 2:30pm-4:30pm)

February 15 - Wisconsin Legion Registration and Insurance fees accepted - credit cards only