Former Logger and Class AAA pitching coach Justin Ramsey was named the Loggers field manager on March 9 and will enter his first season at the helm in 2026.
Justin Ramsey was a key member of Andy McKay’s staff back in 2009-2010 in the earlier years of his coaching career when he led the Loggers pitching staff. From there Ramsey’s coaching career took off taking him from Copeland Park to the fields of Long Beach State and eventually into the professional baseball world, most recently serving as the pitching coach for the Norfolk Tides, the Class AAA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles from 2022-2025 where he got to work with the likes of now big leaguers Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall and more. Today, Logger officials excitedly welcomed Ramsey back to La Crosse by naming him their new field manager for the upcoming 2026 season.
“Coach Rams is a true Logger and was one of the key pioneers in helping frame the systems we have in place still today”, shared Loggers team President Chris Goodell. “It’s been a privilege to follow his coaching career and see all of the players that he’s impacted to this point and to have him coming back to manager our squad is not only an honor for our team, but also for the entire Northwoods League.”
Justin Ramsey’s baseball career spans back to his playing days as a closer and relief pitcher for Oral Roberts in 2003-2004 where he earned All-American honors in helping lead the Golden Eagles to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Following his collegiate career, Ramsey played for three seasons in the Golden Baseball League with the Long Beach Armada, finishing third in the rookie of the year voting while simultaneously working in the offseason with Sacramento City College and Andy McKay.
The McKay-Ramsey connection found their way to La Crosse during those summers of 2009-2010, where Ramsey worked with the likes of Pete Woodworth (current Seattle Mariners pitching coach) and future big leaguer Rob Brantly.
Following his time at Sac City, Ramsey spent the next four seasons at the storied Long Beach State program and was responsible for sending former Logger ace, and recent manager, Josh Frye to La Crosse during the summers of 2012-2013. In the summer of 2013, Ramsey got to work under Scott Pickler when coaching with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League. Coach Ramsey also spent time leading the pitching staff at Nova Southeastern (Fla.) from 2015-2018, helping lead them to the 2016 NCAA DII National Championship, before advancing to professional baseball and joining the Baltimore Orioles system in 2019.
A fast-riser, Ramsey served as the pitching coach for the Class A Delmarva Shorebirds where he earned South Atlantic League coach of the year accolades. He moved up to Class AA with the Bowie Bay Sox in 2021 before eventually taking the reigns of the Class AAA Norfolk Tides pitching staff from 2022-2025.
Now Ramsey is excited to return to a familiar summer spot and manage for a franchise that had a propelling impact on his career. “La Crosse has always been a meaningful stop in my coaching journey, and I’m grateful for the chance to return as manager,” said Ramsey. “The Loggers helped shape the foundation of who I have become as a coach, and coming back now feels both humbling and energizing. This organization has always stood for player development done the right way, and I’m excited to continue the environment and culture where our guys can compete, grow, and take real steps forward in their careers. I can’t wait to get back to Copeland Park and get to work.”
Billy Horton is embarking on his first season in La Crosse and the Northwoods League in 2026 but is a veteran in the coaching world.
Horton comes to the Loggers with service in three different MLB organizations and has managed for the past three seasons in the Pioneer League.. He was with the San Francisco Giants from 2012-2019 as a hitting coach, fundamentals coach, and director of extended spring training. In 2016, Horton managed the Arizona League Giants Orange, guiding them to a 30-26 record. During that time, more than two dozen Giants players who were drafted or signed as minor league free agents made their MLB debut. Horton has also worked in various capacities for the Arizona Diamondbacks (2001-2003, 2006) and Chicago White Sox (2003).
More recently, Horton served as the field manager and assistant general manager of the Yolo/Yuba Sutter High Wheelers of the Pioneer League, a position he held for the past two seasons where he was also named the 2024 Pioneer League Manager of the Year. Prior to that he earned the same Manager of the year accolades while guiding the Billings Mustangs. He has also served as a manager for the Williamsport Crosscutters in the MLB Draft League (2021), going 25-32 in the league’s inaugural campaign, as well as the field coordinator for the Arizona Collegiate Wood Bat League (2020, 2022).
In 2006, Horton founded Cactus Athletics, a company dedicated to training young athletes and coaches. He is familiar with virtually all the new technology used by MLB to find and train players, including Rapsodo, K-Motion, Hit Trax, Trackman, and Blast Motion. Over the past 17 years more than 10,000 players and coaches have participated in his camps, clinics, and baseball leagues.
As a player, Horton got his first taste of Independent baseball, suiting up as a catcher, first baseman, and outfielder in five different leagues. In total, he saw action for the West Manitoba Wranglers, New Jersey Jackals, Tupelo Tornado, Bayou Bullfrogs, Canton Crocodiles, and Cook County Cheetahs from 1997-00. He played collegiately at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
Chris Monroe is a seasoned baseball coach with a diverse background spanning collegiate coaching, summer league development, and professional scouting programs. He joins the Loggers for the first time in 2026 but is no stranger to the Northwoods League as he served as the Bench Coach for the Wausau Woodhucks in 2016.
Monroe’s coaching experience is vast as he has worked as the Bench Coach for the Bristol Stateliners in the Appalachian League in 2024, powered by MLB and USA Baseball. In 2023, he served as the Pitching Coach for the Pulaski River Turtles in the same league and was selected to participate in the MLB Scout and Coaching Development Program, completing a scouting apprenticeship during the MLB Arizona Fall League. His summer ball experience also includes roles as Hitting Coach for the Burlington Bees (Prospect League, 2022), Pitching Coach for the Winnipesaukee Muskrats (NECBL, 2018), and Bench Coach for the Wausau Woodchucks (Northwoods League, 2016).
At the collegiate level, Monroe worked as the the Recruiting Coordinator at Saint Anselm College (2023–2024). His past coaching roles include Assistant Coach at Spoon River College (2022), where he worked with catchers and served as an assistant hitting coach; Volunteer Pitching Coach at Western Illinois University (NCAA Division I, 2021); Pitching Coach at Worcester State University (2018); and Volunteer Assistant at Framingham State University (2015–2016).
Monroe played collegiate baseball as a right-handed pitcher at Framingham State University from 2011 to 2015, following a successful high school career at Fitchburg High School (2006–2010). Known for his well-rounded expertise, Monroe brings a deep understanding of pitching, hitting, catching, recruiting, and scouting to every team he works with, along with a strong commitment to player development and growth both on and off the field.
Coach Adam Lesko is reuniting with former teammate Justin Ramsey in his first stint with the La Crosse Loggers this summer. Lesko was a teammate of Ramsey’s when the two played at Oral Roberts University in 2004-2005 and he also enjoyed a stop at the University of Nevada. Lesko has coached for over 17 years including serving as the pitching coach for the Minot Hot Tots last summer as well as the pitching coach for the Muskegon Clippers of the Great Lakes League in 2024. He is the currently the varsity pitching coach at Centennial HS in Las Vegas.
