MANKATO, Minn.–The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club, a member of the Northwoods League, is excited to announce the return of two former coaches, Cody Fick and Jason Belk, to the 2013 staff.

Fick and Belk have common history when it comes to the MoonDogs organization. Fick played for the MoonDogs in 2009 and 2010, while Belk suited up for the ‘Dogs in 2006. Both returned to Mankato for the opportunity to coach, Belk in ’09 and ’10, and Fick coached for the first time last season in 2012.

The two bonded the summers of ’09 and ’10 when Belk coached number 32 at the time, Fick, and produced "The Cody Fick Show,” a YouTube sensation portraying the life of a summer league baseball player.

The two will reunite, opposite the small screen, under Field Manager Mike Orchard, to coach the 2013 Mankato MoonDogs. Belk will serve as the pitching coach, while Fick will focus on hitting and the infield.

"Cody is ready for that next step in his coaching development, he’s getting the Division 1 experience now that he can carry over to Mankato and be ready to tackle third base coaching,” said Orchard. "It’s great to bring someone like Jason back as well, with his experience and proven dedication to coaching, it makes my job a lot easier and I look forward to seeing him back for a third season.”

Current pitching coach at Black Hawk College (Moline, Ill.), Belk graduated from the University of Iowa in 2008 and went on to receive his masters in organizational leadership from St. Ambrose University (Davenport Iowa). While at St. Ambrose, Belk started his coaching resume as a graduate assistant coach for the Fighting Bee’s baseball team from ’08-’10. He then followed that up by joining the coaching staff at Eastern Illinois University in ’10. Belk was part of the EIU staff until 2012, when he was named the Braves pitching coach for Black Hawk College this past fall.

Belk has seen success with the MoonDogs in 2009, where he was apart of the coaching staff for the ’09 Northwoods League All-Star game. His pitching staff that year also posted a 2.50 ERA, the lowest in MoonDogs history.

Current volunteer assistant baseball coach at the University of Evansville, Cody Fick graduated from UE in 2011 and went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 23rd round of the 2011 MLB draft. Fick played a single-season with the Phillies farm team, the Williamsport Crosscutters where he went 3-1.

In the summer of 2012, Fick entered his first major coaching role with the Mankato MoonDogs as a volunteer first base coach. In his first season he was apart of the coaching staff for the ’12 NWL All-Star game and helped the MoonDogs reach the Summer Collegiate World Series.

The MoonDogs home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29th at 7:05 p.m. against the Rochester Honkers at Franklin Rogers Park. Season tickets are now on sale at the MoonDogs office located at 1221 Caledonia Street. For more information, visit our website www.mankatomoondogs.com or call the MoonDogs office at 507-625-7047.