Team: 11U Zach Construction
Years of Experience Coaching Baseball: 6 years
Brian Kingsley grew up in West Fargo, ND, with summers filled with baseball, cross country, and golf. Some of his favorite memories include playing park board baseball, Babe Ruth, and travel ball—and when he wasn’t on the field, he could often be found glued to TBS watching the Braves or out in the neighborhood playing hot box with friends. After high school, Brian spent nearly a decade playing men’s league softball before returning to the dugout as a coach when his son began tee-ball.
Brian’s coaching philosophy is built on stopping, explaining, and understanding. He believes players learn best when they understand why—why a drill matters, why a throw should go to a certain base, or why practice is structured the way it is. “If we don’t take the time to break things down,” Brian explains, “players may just think the coach is yelling at them. But when they know the purpose, you can see their progress and commitment grow throughout the season.”
To keep his teams motivated, Brian keeps things simple with a season-long motto: “Hit, run, and have fun.” Whenever challenges arise, he reminds players to go back to those fundamentals. Even on tough days, athletes know they can always make up for a mistake at the plate or in the field—and that their teammates are there to cheer them on.
Like many coaches, Brian has learned valuable lessons from the heat of competition. At times, his coaching energy and tone could be misinterpreted as being too hard on players. Over the years, he’s learned to be more mindful of how feedback is received, recognizing that not every player hears things the same way. He now makes a point to follow up after difficult moments, ensuring that players understand the teaching behind the message.
If he could give one piece of advice to new coaches, Brian would keep it straightforward: “Don’t overthink it.” He explains that while it’s tempting to come in with big ideas, focusing on the basics lays the foundation for everything that follows. Mastering fundamentals builds skills—and confidence—that players carry with them for the rest of their lives.
For Brian, coaching isn’t just about teaching the game—it’s about shaping players with lessons that extend well beyond the diamond.
Honorable Mentions (11U):
Greg Miller (Pearle Vision), Kenny Wold (Zach Construction), Tom Branca (11U Fargo 61's Red)
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: Mike Molstre (LEGEND Technical Services)
11U: Brian Kingsley (Zach Construction)
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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