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Tate Cummins - Varsity Head Coach
Coach Cummins is a graduate of Big Nine Baseball from Austin, MN (1995). He currently holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Stout and a Bachelor of Science in Business Teaching at Winona State University. Academic year 2009 - 10 marks his 7th year in teaching and is currently teaching Business Education at Medford High School.
Coaching has become Coach Cummins' passion; he has been fortunate to gain valuable coaching experience at Winona State University, Rochester Mayo High School, and Medford High School. His playing career has ranged from Austin High School, Northern State University, University of Wisconsin – Stout, and the Austin Greyhounds. This year he will continue playing/managing the Owatonna Aces (Amateur Baseball).
Coach Cummins' coaching philosophy is built upon core values such as: responsibility, trust, loyalty, strong communication, and a desire to become a better player/person each and every day. Each person within an organization or team must be able to take responsibility for his actions. The ability to trust one another is ultimately the key to success. Strong communication between players, parents, alumni and administration will allow our program to remain focused and free from unwanted distractions.
Skill development is also a crucial component for Owatonna Baseball. Creating opportunities for our local athletes is vital to the development of our organization. Baseball camps will always be offered throughout the winter, spring and summer. The summer of 2008 will also mark the beginning of the Owatonna Baseball Academy. This academy will focus on baseball fundamentals such as: throwing, catching, base running, pitching, defensive skills, and leadership training. Along with this opportunity, the ballpark will be open throughout the week for additional hitting, pitching, and defensive work during the summer months.
Capital improvements to our baseball community will also be at the forefront during my tenure. The summer of 2007 - we were able to add a total of four state-of-the-art baseball batting cages. Each cage will contain multiple L-Screens, 70 feet of hitting area, turf, and hitting mats. In the summer of 2009, we completed our 5th hitting facility at Manthey Park that caters to players up to 5th grade. Maintenance of our local fields is also very important. A maintained field can speak volumes for the program. Our goal is to have the best ballpark(s) in the area. The summer of 2010 we are looking to add additional improvements to our ballparks.
Running Career Totals at OHS
2007: 9 and 11 with 2 All Conference Selections and 4 Honorable Mention.
2008: 19 and 7 with 4 All Conference Selections, 2 All Region Selections, and 4 Honorable Mentions. The Huskies finished with their best season since capturing the State Championship in 1988. They were defeated by Rochester John Marshall in the Section 1AAA Championship.
2009: 18 - 12 season recored. Section 1AAA Champions and 7th Place finish in the MN State High School Tournament. Total of 4 All Conference Selections, 3 All Region Selections, 4 Honorable Mentions, and 1 All State Selection.
Tate currently resides in Owatonna, MN and is married to Kris Cummins. Ava Cummins was welcomed to the Owatonna Family in the Fall of 2008.
Coach Cummins can be contacted at the following email address:
Matt Skala - Varsity Assistant Coach
Matt Skala is in his 4th year as a 9 - 12 Special Education Teacher at OHS. Matt was an Owatonna graduate in 1999. He was a 3 sport captain for baseball, basketball and football. After high school, Matt played football at Southwest St. University for 1 year and then played football at University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire for 1 year before retiring from back injuries.
Matt has been the OJHS Baseball head coach and coordinator in 2006 - 07 before joining the varsity staff in 2007. He has coached football at Eau-Claire Regis and has been the OHS Head B-squad coach for the past 4 years.
Matt's coaching philosophy: Teamwork, perseverance, work ethic, having a positive attitude is essential in the game of baseball. These skills not only help them on the baseball field but help them in life.
1. Be Positive
2. Have Fun
3. Emphasize Improvement
4. Organization and Discipline
5. Players Learn By Doing
6. Attitude and Effort
Matt is married to Kristin Skala and resides in Owatonna. They have one daughter - Kelsey.
Jason Alstead - Varsity Hitting Coach
Coach Alstead graduated from Alexanria, MN (1986). After graduating from Alex, he attended St. Cloud State University to play baseball for the Huskies where he earned All-Conference, All-North Central Conferenct Academic, and GTE Academic Dsitrict V Team honors. In 1990, he was drafted in the 12th round by the Baltimore Orioles. Over his four year career he was able to make it to the AAA level.
Jason coached the U15 AA team in 2007 to an 18 - 11 record and 2 state tournaments. His aggressive style of coaching and passion for the game will fit in nicely at OHS.
Jason's philosohpy of hitting is simple. Relax, Load, Idenfity, and Attack the baseball.
2009 Highlights: Finished 2nd in the Big 9 Conference with a team batting average of .305.
Jason currently resides in Owatonna and is married to Kelli, They have two children, Kennedi and Tucker, who both enjoy the game of baseball/softball. Coach Alstead can be contatcted at
Teddy Landstiener - Head B Squad Coach
Ted graduated from Maple River Schools in 2003. He is a graduate of Winona State University in 2007 with an Education Degree (K-8 with emphasis on Social Studies). Coach Landsteiner is currently teaching 6th grade at Willow Creek. He was a three time All-Conference selection and was able to make the state tournament his senior year at Maple River High School. He has also played amateur baseball for the Minnesota Lake Royals and the Wells Wildcats.
He has coaching experience with junior high school baseball in Eagan, MN. Ted has also been the baseball coordinator for the Community Education program in Maple River since 2004. He is also a member of the junior high basketball coaching staff at Owatonna. His coaching philosophy is built around the love of the game, a constant drive to become a better player, and outstanding sportsmanship. Ted currently resides in Owatonna.
Mike Odegard - 9th Grade Assistant
Mike has been serving as the Jr. High Youth Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna since June 2006. Besides working full-time in youth ministry, he has worked with the Kids First program as an assistant 8th grade football coach for two seasons as well as an assistant 7th & 8th grade baseball coach for two seasons. His baseball background includes player (high school, American Legion, one year at the junior college level), Coaching Little League & Babe Ruth for Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton Community Education (summer 1996) as well as Junior Varsity assistant for Twin Falls High School in Twin Falls, Idaho (2001 & 2002).
Mike lives in Owatonna with his wife Jaynette and two boys David (1st grader) & TJ (age 5). Mike's philosophy is to listen, learn, apply, and have fun! He is very excited to be a part of this staff & team and looks forward to a successful year. GO HUSKIES!!! You can contact Mike via email:
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