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LPA Baseball in the News
Press Publications article
Former area pro runs weekly youth baseball clinic in Mounds View
by Mark Carey
Contributing Writer
Press Publications
Published: Monday, November 24, 2008 5:46 PM CST
MOUNDS VIEW - There's something special going on each week at the Mounds View Community Center. But you won't hear bold advertisement campaigns touting it, and it's quite possible, you had no idea about it at all.
Every Thursday night from November to February, parents looking to give their children a chance to learn from one of the local professional sports team's coaches have a chance, as one of the Community Center's programs during the fall and winter is run by Minnesota Twins' batting practice pitcher Erik Lovdahl. Lovdahl is also director of the Minnesota Twins Youth Training Camps.
Every Thursday at 7 p.m., Lovdahl can be found in the community center gym working with young baseball players, anywhere from ages 8 to18. From youth programs to high school players, Lovdahl works on pitching drills to help young players develop their skills to take their game to the next level.
He knows what it takes to get to that next level, too. He grew up in Roseville, played his college ball at River Falls, and played two years of professional ball in the Red Sox organization and with the Minneapolis Millers. When an injury ended his playing career, he turned to coaching, spending time at local colleges Bethel University and Northwestern College.
"I got to know Terry Ryan when I was coaching at Bethel and one day I got a call from Ryan inviting me down to try out as batting practice pitcher," Lovdahl said.
He won the job and got to pitch to the Twins' batters. Lovdahl even makes the annual trip to Florida for spring training with his three home-schooled kids in tow.
Working with home-schooled children is, in part, how Lovdahl got hooked up with the Mounds View Community Center. He teaches home school physical education there on Wednesdays. Observing Erik working with kids, one can tell he has a passion and gift for teaching the finer points of pitching.
"Erik is a great teacher," said Steve Voss, a Ham Lake resident with a child in the program. "This is our fourth year with Eric and we haven't missed a Twins camp in three years."
Word of mouth is how Lovdahl's program is promoted, and athletes from all around the city descend on Mounds View Thursday nights for instruction from the Minnesota Twins batting practice pitcher. Curt Nettleton and Joe Zorn are sophomores at Stillwater, but knew of Lovdahl through Curt's father Tony via Bethel University. They are back after having participated in the past, as did Voss' son Zach.
"This has really helped us take it to the next level," Nettleton said.
"We improved so much last year because of Coach Lovdahl," Zorn added.
Lovdahl also brings in local pros to help out Thursday nights. Toby Gardenhire, son of the Twins' manager and a current Twins minor leaguer is a frequent contributor, as is Mark Hamburger, a former Mounds View High School athlete recently traded from the Twins to the Texas Rangers.
Lovdahl makes his home in Roseville with his wife, Lisa and their 15-year old daughter and 11-year old twin boys.
"The boys play hockey, not baseball," Lovdahl lamented.
But that's OK with him, because he gets to play America's Pastime every day, and bring his passion for the game and mentoring youngsters to Mounds View every week.
"I get to live in a sweat suit," he chuckled.
For more information on Erik Lovdahl's baseball program go to Lovdahl Pitching Academy at www.LPAbaseball.com
by Mark Carey
Contributing Writer
Press Publications
Published: Monday, November 24, 2008 5:46 PM CST
MOUNDS VIEW - There's something special going on each week at the Mounds View Community Center. But you won't hear bold advertisement campaigns touting it, and it's quite possible, you had no idea about it at all.
Every Thursday night from November to February, parents looking to give their children a chance to learn from one of the local professional sports team's coaches have a chance, as one of the Community Center's programs during the fall and winter is run by Minnesota Twins' batting practice pitcher Erik Lovdahl. Lovdahl is also director of the Minnesota Twins Youth Training Camps.
Every Thursday at 7 p.m., Lovdahl can be found in the community center gym working with young baseball players, anywhere from ages 8 to18. From youth programs to high school players, Lovdahl works on pitching drills to help young players develop their skills to take their game to the next level.
He knows what it takes to get to that next level, too. He grew up in Roseville, played his college ball at River Falls, and played two years of professional ball in the Red Sox organization and with the Minneapolis Millers. When an injury ended his playing career, he turned to coaching, spending time at local colleges Bethel University and Northwestern College.
"I got to know Terry Ryan when I was coaching at Bethel and one day I got a call from Ryan inviting me down to try out as batting practice pitcher," Lovdahl said.
He won the job and got to pitch to the Twins' batters. Lovdahl even makes the annual trip to Florida for spring training with his three home-schooled kids in tow.
Working with home-schooled children is, in part, how Lovdahl got hooked up with the Mounds View Community Center. He teaches home school physical education there on Wednesdays. Observing Erik working with kids, one can tell he has a passion and gift for teaching the finer points of pitching.
"Erik is a great teacher," said Steve Voss, a Ham Lake resident with a child in the program. "This is our fourth year with Eric and we haven't missed a Twins camp in three years."
Word of mouth is how Lovdahl's program is promoted, and athletes from all around the city descend on Mounds View Thursday nights for instruction from the Minnesota Twins batting practice pitcher. Curt Nettleton and Joe Zorn are sophomores at Stillwater, but knew of Lovdahl through Curt's father Tony via Bethel University. They are back after having participated in the past, as did Voss' son Zach.
"This has really helped us take it to the next level," Nettleton said.
"We improved so much last year because of Coach Lovdahl," Zorn added.
Lovdahl also brings in local pros to help out Thursday nights. Toby Gardenhire, son of the Twins' manager and a current Twins minor leaguer is a frequent contributor, as is Mark Hamburger, a former Mounds View High School athlete recently traded from the Twins to the Texas Rangers.
Lovdahl makes his home in Roseville with his wife, Lisa and their 15-year old daughter and 11-year old twin boys.
"The boys play hockey, not baseball," Lovdahl lamented.
But that's OK with him, because he gets to play America's Pastime every day, and bring his passion for the game and mentoring youngsters to Mounds View every week.
"I get to live in a sweat suit," he chuckled.
For more information on Erik Lovdahl's baseball program go to Lovdahl Pitching Academy at www.LPAbaseball.com
WCCO TV Interview with Mike Max
Serving It Up: Twins BP Pitcher Loves His Roleby Mike Max
He is a pitcher with a unique spot in the Twins organization. He pitches at the Metrdome in a Twins uniform, but it's always before the game. He's their batting practice pitcher, and more.
Eric Lovdahl has a baseball job, throwing batting practice for the Minnesota Twins. He started four years ago when Terry Ryan gave him a call.
"Almost kind of like a tryout. I threw to the double-A team and then the triple-A and then they had me throw to some of the big guys just to see ... you know relax, just throw it over," said Lovdahl, Twins batting practice pitcher.
He admits he was a little nervous that first time throwing to big league hitters.
While most major league pitchers who step on the mound at the Metrodome have one goal, get the hitters out, Lovdahl's goal is much different. He wants to give the hitters as much confidence as possible.
"I'm the only only left-hander on the staff. All the other coaches are right-handed. So I'm kind of the left-handed specialist. They use me more when a left-handed pitcher is starting that night. Basically, just groove a lot of four seamers. Sometimes mix it up, change speeds," Lovdahl said.
"He does a great job for us. He's out here day in and day out. He does everything everybody asks of him," said Michael Cuddyer, Twins outfielder.
He takes it on the road. Lovdahl teaches on behalf of the Twins to the youth, with the advantage of working with a big league roster.
"You're able to watch Santana or Joe Nathan do their short to long toss program and their daily mechanics. Just to emphasize these are the drills the pros do," Lovdahl said. "Behind the scenes too, in the clubhouse ... doing the drills without a ball."
At the end of the day he loves it, and the feeling seems to be mutual.
"He's always an upbeat guy. He definitely is appreciative of his position here with the Twins," said Twins infielder Jeff Cirillo.
"Kind of the round about way to putting on a major league uniform," said Lovdahl.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
He is a pitcher with a unique spot in the Twins organization. He pitches at the Metrdome in a Twins uniform, but it's always before the game. He's their batting practice pitcher, and more.
Eric Lovdahl has a baseball job, throwing batting practice for the Minnesota Twins. He started four years ago when Terry Ryan gave him a call.
"Almost kind of like a tryout. I threw to the double-A team and then the triple-A and then they had me throw to some of the big guys just to see ... you know relax, just throw it over," said Lovdahl, Twins batting practice pitcher.
He admits he was a little nervous that first time throwing to big league hitters.
While most major league pitchers who step on the mound at the Metrodome have one goal, get the hitters out, Lovdahl's goal is much different. He wants to give the hitters as much confidence as possible.
"I'm the only only left-hander on the staff. All the other coaches are right-handed. So I'm kind of the left-handed specialist. They use me more when a left-handed pitcher is starting that night. Basically, just groove a lot of four seamers. Sometimes mix it up, change speeds," Lovdahl said.
"He does a great job for us. He's out here day in and day out. He does everything everybody asks of him," said Michael Cuddyer, Twins outfielder.
He takes it on the road. Lovdahl teaches on behalf of the Twins to the youth, with the advantage of working with a big league roster.
"You're able to watch Santana or Joe Nathan do their short to long toss program and their daily mechanics. Just to emphasize these are the drills the pros do," Lovdahl said. "Behind the scenes too, in the clubhouse ... doing the drills without a ball."
At the end of the day he loves it, and the feeling seems to be mutual.
"He's always an upbeat guy. He definitely is appreciative of his position here with the Twins," said Twins infielder Jeff Cirillo.
"Kind of the round about way to putting on a major league uniform," said Lovdahl.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
