Published On: May 22nd, 2014

 

Trio of Coaches Join Handelsman to Fill Brand New Coaching Staff

Green Bay, Wis. – The Green Bay Bullfrogs have announced the signings of three assistant coaches: Kaleb Engelke of the Milwaukee School of Engineering Athletics, Brett Schneider of the University of North Florida, and Jeff Stephens of Sierra College.

Kaleb Engelke played four years at UW-Milwaukee and two years in the frontier league. His breakout season was his junior year with UW-Milwaukee, appearing in 23 games and posting a 3-1 record with five saves (t-2nd in Horizon League). Engelke struck out twenty-two batters in 19 innings with an opponent’s batting average of just .206.

After a late injury in 2011, Engelke was back with the Panthers in 2012. He led the Horizon league with 32 appearances. Engelke went 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA, including eighteen strikeouts in 17.1 innings pitched. He signed with the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League in 2012. He played for two other teams in the Frontier League: the Normal CornBelters in 2012 and the River City Rascals in 2013. He now serves as an assistant coach at the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

Brett "Buster" Schneider, a native of Boca Raton, FL. is currently in his second season working under the helm of Smoke Laval at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL, while also finishing up his degree in Sports Management. Schneider was a highly recruited pitcher and infielder out of American Heritage School in Delray Beach, FL. Brett's college career was abruptly halted after a diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes.

Although his playing career ended too soon, his love and devotion towards the game never ended and at that point decided to take the path of coaching, his longtime dream after playing. Schneider specializes in working with hitters and infielders, which also allows him to give private lessons outside of practice time. His knowledge and feel for the game will be a tremendous asset to the Bullfrogs this summer.

Jeff Stephens joined the Sierra College baseball staff in his 1st year coaching after graduating from the University of California, Irvine. At Novato High School, Stephens earned All-League and All-Metro honors two straight years in football and baseball, with an All-State Football Medium School Division honors his Senior year.

At Sierra, Stephens received a Preseason All-American honor, as well as a Big 8 All-Conference selection as an outfielder. After a successful season in which he led the entire Big 8 in hits, 2nd in average, and 4th in steals, Stephens received multiple scholarship offers but ultimately signed a Letter of Intent with nationally ranked UC Irvine. Stephens finished his college career hitting over .300 with close to 200 hits.

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The Green Bay Bullfrogs are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel.  For more information, visit www.greenbaybullfrogs.com.  

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