Latest News:
2020 Youth Baseball
All 2019 Youth Players have been contacted seeking their intent to play in 2020. Any new player(s) interested to join SPAA in 2020 need to contact to be added to our Waiting List. Youth teams are formed for current year 3rd graders - 11th graders. Our Youth Coaches Meeting is set for Tuesday, February 4, 7 pm at the St. Patrick Social Hall.
(posted 1/6/20)
Dinner Fundraiser
SPAA's Annual Dinner Fundraiser will take place on Friday, January 31, 2020 at the New Prague KC Hall. Full details: https://www.stpatrickathletics.org/fundraisers
(posted 12/10/19)
Goracke Named New Manager
The St. Patrick Athletic Association is excited to announce Brent Goracke as the next Manager of the St. Patrick Irish amateur baseball team.
Brent graduated from Morris High School in 1991 where he played Varsity baseball for 3 years. He went on to pitch at Mankato State under Coach Dean Bowyer. After Mankato, Brent played amateur baseball for the Class B Waseca Braves for 3 seasons (1993-1995) under Manager Tink Larson. Brent eventually landed in Jordan where he was Varsity Pitching Coach for 2 seasons (2010-2011) for the Hubmen, and then in 2012 he became the Varsity Head Coach. He is currently in his 9th year as Head Coach, and in his tenure has helped lead the Hubmen to Minnesota River Conference (MRC) Champions (2013 & 2019), Section Champions (2018), and a 4th place finish in the Minnesota State High School Baseball Tournament that same year.
Brent has been blessed with great coaches and players, and was acknowledged as the MRC Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2019, and Section 2AA Coach of the Year in 2018. He was also honored to be chosen to coach the Metro South Minnesota Play Ball All Star team in 2018.
His knowledge of baseball has proven to be pivotal in the success of the teams he has coached and the players that have moved on to play college and amateur baseball. He has also coached and mentored players at all levels of play, from youth programs through past and current collegiate players, as well as many Minnesota amateur players.
Brent came to St. Patrick in 2017 and assisted former Manager John Johnson during the 2017 and 2019 seasons.
Brent credits the Irish players, community, fans, Bonin Field, SPAA Board, DRS League, and high hopes for the future as large draws for wanting to become Manager of the Irish.
(posted 9/19/19)
Goracke New Manager
Johnson Retires as Manager
John Johnson announces his retirement as Manager of the St. Patrick Irish after 7 seasons at the helm. From 2013-2019, Johnson led the Irish to 141 wins and 88 losses, equating to a winning percentage of 62%. The Irish went to 4 State Tournaments during Johnson's managerial tenure.
Arriving in St. Patrick as a player for the 1994 season, Johnson spent 26 seasons in an Irish uniform, perhaps one of the longest such runs in St. Patrick history. Johnson plans to remain an active supporter of St. Patrick baseball, but hopes to spend more time traveling. The St. Patrick Athletic Association thanks him for his many years of service and dedication.
(posted 9/12/19)
Johnson Retires
SPAA Receives $10,000 Minnesota Twins Community Fund Grant
St. Patrick Athletic Association has applied for and received a $10,000 grant from the Minnesota Twins and the Twins Community Fund. The grant is to be used for the upcoming backstop renovation project at Bonin Field, which is scheduled to start in August.
The current backstop is approaching 30 years of age and has started to fall in disrepair. The new backstop design will incorporate a concrete kneewall, black netting, and will have fewer vertical poles, which will enhance site lines at the ballpark.
The remainder of the project expense will be funded from proceeds from past SPAA ATV Raffle Fundraisers.
SPAA and Bonin Field will support 7 youth baseball teams this summer, providing baseball opportunities for over 90 youth players. The field is also home to the Irish amateur team, as well as the 35 and Over Shamrocks.
Find more info on the "Projects" tab
(posted 4/11/18)
