Team: 9U Fargo 61's Red
Years of Experience Coaching Baseball: 5 years
Born and raised in Fargo, Ethan Schnabel’s life has been intertwined with sports from the very beginning. Attending Fargo North High School, he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, all while cultivating a deep passion for athletics. His love for baseball, however, stood out from an early age—starting with Park Board leagues, progressing through Babe Ruth, and eventually representing Fargo North and Fargo Post 2. Those formative summers on the diamond, filled with camaraderie and competition, are memories Ethan cherishes to this day.
Ethan continued his academic and athletic journey at North Dakota State University, completing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees. After college, Ethan began a career in education, and for the past twelve years, he has been shaping young minds as an elementary health and physical education teacher in Moorhead. Alongside his professional career, Ethan and his wife, Jess, are raising three active boys, ages 9, 6, and 2. Watching them develop their own love for sports has given Ethan a special opportunity to give back and share his passion for the game.
For Ethan, the most important trait a coach can have is the ability to develop relationships. “Players want to play for coaches who care about them,” he explains. Building relationships lays the foundation for learning, fostering trust, confidence, and motivation. When players know their coach genuinely cares, they are more willing to embrace challenges, overcome mistakes, and give their best effort every day.
Ethan places a strong emphasis on team chemistry and positive culture, especially with younger athletes. His practices are filled with fun, engaging challenges—whether it’s creative hitting games, outfield exercises, or fielding drills that keep kids laughing while learning. In games, he balances focus and fun, knowing when to challenge his players and when to let them enjoy the moment. Off the field, he encourages team bonding through outings, meals, or get-togethers, helping players create lasting memories beyond baseball.
Ethan’s coaching philosophy is shaped by a lifetime of mentors—from his father and neighborhood youth coaches to his high school coaches and the colleagues he works alongside today. The lessons he learned are clear: fundamentals matter, and every season should provide a positive experience that keeps players returning year after year.
Ultimately, Ethan hopes to leave a legacy rooted in care and impact. “I want every player I’ve coached to know that I care about them and want them to succeed,” he says. Each team he coaches becomes family, and he strives to ensure that his players walk away with not only skills and confidence but also a lifelong love for the game.
Reflecting on his journey, Ethan expresses gratitude for the recognition he has received. He credits co-coaches, supportive teammates, and especially his wife, Jess, for enabling him to share his passion for baseball with so many. His story is one of dedication, relationships, and the joy of giving back to the sport that shaped him—a testament to the lasting impact a caring coach can have both on and off the field.
Thank you, Ethan, for inspiring the next generation of athletes!
Honorable Mentions (9U):
Matt Irish (Preference Employment Solutions), Eric Carlson (Northern Plains Financial), Blake Ellefson (HuHot Black), Kelly Myrmoe (Capstone), Shane Reed (Capstone), Patrick Mahoney (Power Connections)
Schedule of Announcements:
5/6U: Wade Moore (Prolific Property Management)
7U: Greg Miller (Meliora Engineering)
8U: Matthew Hammer (Amundson Electric Inc)
9U: Ethan Schnabel (9U Fargo 61's Red)
10U: Friday, September 26
11U: Monday, September 29
12U: Tuesday, September 30
13U: Wednesday, October 1
14/15U: Thursday, October 2
Program Coaching Staff of the Year: Friday, October 3rd
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