(Submitted photo/Chad Hofmann)

By Mat Barrett

Coach Of The Year

Muenster’s Hofmann named Baseball Sask. Coach of the Year

Dec 18, 2020 | 3:46 PM

Baseball Saskatchewan has named its award winners for the 2020 baseball season.

Chad Hofmann of Muenster has been named the 2020 Coach of the Year after his season with the 18U Red Sox in Muenster. Hofmann said he was honoured to receive the award and that there are lots of deserving coaches throughout the province.

“Baseball is thriving in Saskatchewan, and it’s taking off,” Hofmann told northeastNOW. “And I’m looking at the players that we’re producing in our province that are going on to the next level, and it has everything to do with coaching. These kids aren’t going to be able to do that without good coaches, and we have so many good coaches throughout the province.”

Hofmann said this year was much different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so they weren’t able to do a lot of what would normally take place beginning in March. However, Hofmann said his team still managed to play over 20 games this season, and while they weren’t at the top of the standings, he said the team improved throughout the year.

He added being around the kids is one of the main reasons he loves coaching.

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“You get a new group every time,” he said. “It’s kind of fun to see the older guys, how they get the younger guys involved and stuff like that.”

A veteran of 20 plus years of coaching, Hofmann said baseball is a passion for him. He also played the sport, and says it follows him around in everyday life.

“All my family trips involved baseball,” Hofmann joked. “I’m lucky that my wife loves baseball as much as I do, so it’s our family thing, and that’s why I do it.”

Hofmann said he loves seeing the kids grow on and off the field. He said baseball, and sports in general teach kids time management, effort, and fighting through adversity.

“Some kids, after their 18U days are done, they’re finished with baseball, but they carry some of that stuff on,” he said. “And some of the older kids move on, and we’ve had a few kids move on to colleges, and that’s good to see to, just to see what they do. But, I guess most proud, is that they become valuable members of society in whatever they’re doing.”

Hofmann said he was fortunate enough to have great coaches when he played, and he loves to pass that along to his players.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6