BLAINE, Minn. (Aug. 20, 2019) -- Ted Erickson is the new head coach of the Blaine High School varsity baseball team, stepping up from his role as head coach of the ninth-grade baseball program for the past five years. He succeeds Eric Feigum, who stepped down in June after eight years at the helm. 

A native of Blaine and special education teacher at Blaine High School, Erickson, 34, knows a thing or two about Bengals baseball. He graduated from Blaine High School in 2003, having played with the Bengals throughout his high school career. He went on to play at Bethel University in St. Paul, where he earned bachelor’s degrees and where he met his wife, Amy. The two started their careers in Amy’s home state of Colorado where Ted taught and coached high school baseball before moving back to Minnesota in 2014.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be a varsity head baseball coach. It’s even better that it’s at Blaine High School,” said Erickson. “I grew up in Blaine, went to Jefferson Elementary, Northdale Middle School and Blaine High School. I played baseball in Blaine from the time I was in tee-ball all the way through high school. To take over as the head coach of the varsity team at Blaine is humbling and exciting.”

Erickson’s vision is for Blaine to become known for baseball as much as it is for football and hockey. With three state appearances in the past four years, he’s confident they’re well on their way. He credits a strong, vibrant baseball community in Blaine, where residents love baseball and budding baseball players have numerous opportunities to grow their love of the game. He has begun outreach into the community and plans to continue to build relationships with players, coaches, parents, alumni, sponsors, youth baseball organizations and others in the community.

“Relationships motivate me, and it’s through relationships that I motivate players,” Erickson said. “I expect hustle and hard work, but I want them to know I care about them and that it’s okay to make mistakes. I don’t want them to fear what Erickson will do if they mess up. I want them to trust me, trust their teammates and play free with their skillsets. Baseball is full of life lessons, and the relationships last a lifetime.”

Tryouts for the 2020 season of Blaine High School baseball begin right after spring break in March. Until then, Erickson will have a full schedule connecting with players, coaches and members of the baseball community, in addition to his role as teacher, husband and dad to a daughter and son.

Join us for the next Dugout Club Meeting - September 16 at 7 p.m. in Room 101 at Blaine High School.

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