🏆 13U Coach of the Year – Wade Sandy 🏆

Team:
Wolf Steel

Years of Experience Coaching Baseball:
7 Years

About Coach Sandy:
Wade Sandy and his wife, Amy, have three children: Gabe, Anna, and Christian. Wade enjoys outdoor activities, coaching his children's sports, and spending time at the lake. He feels fortunate to have met many wonderful people through his children's activities and cherishes the memories of the kids he’s coached over the years.

Coaching Philosophy and Evolution:
Wade’s primary goal is for players to have fun, enjoy playing baseball, learn to compete, and feel valued as part of the team. He focuses on helping each player improve their individual skills while fostering teamwork. Wade listens to his players to understand their goals and preferences, striving to be as responsive as possible. He also respects the time commitments of both players and families by carefully scheduling practices and managing the overall time commitment.

Balancing Winning and Player Development:
Wade believes in frequent and clear communication with players and families about his coaching philosophy and the team’s goals. He emphasizes the importance of listening and being approachable to address any issues or concerns, which he views as key to the team’s success.

Most Important Trait for a Coach:
Wade believes that enjoying the time spent with the kids is crucial. He strives to do something different and fun in each practice, maintaining a balance between working hard and having fun. He challenges players to be better teammates and to prioritize the needs of others.

Strategies for Keeping Players Motivated:
Wade keeps practices engaging by ending with a fun competition and varying the practice routine to keep it interesting.

Overcoming Challenges:
Wade’s biggest takeaway is remembering that the majority of players won’t play beyond high school, so it’s essential to ensure they have fun while becoming better players and teammates.

Coaching Legacy:
Wade hopes to have provided an enjoyable experience for the kids he’s coached and to have helped them grow as athletes and individuals.

Honorable Mentions (13U):
Collin Consdorf (Scheels), Jeremiah Johnson (Scheels), Lucas Sandman (13U Fargo 61’s Red)

Schedule of Announcements:

• 5/6U - Joey & Leslie Dawson (Dawson Contracting LLC)
• 7U - Ryan Birney (Fit Body)
• 8U - Kyle Argall (Men's Hair Co)
• 9U – Jordan Pederson (Bobcat)
• 10U – Chris Ahlers (Fargo 61’s Red)
• 11U - No Nominations
• 12U – Chase Frize (SpartanNash & Fargo White)
• 13U – Wade Sandy (Wolf Steel)
• 14/15U - Friday, September 6
• Program Coaching Staff of the Year - Monday, September 9