Big Fish Baseball & Softball Training

We believe our local athletes can train at the highest, data-driven level
​and still get to compete with their friends on their hometown spring and summer teams.

BRIAN GIEBEL
HITTING COORDINATOR
Director of Hitting Bombs

about Brian
Brian Giebel has been coaching hitters for the past 10 years all over the St. Croix Valley. 

"I believe hitting a baseball is one of the most difficult things in all of sports. As a former three sport athlete and competitor I love that challenge. I also believe that any athlete can become a good hitter with hard work and attention to detail. Being a good hitter is not entirely dependent on size and strength. Baseball is unlike other sports where the biggest or the strongest or the fastest or the tallest are advantaged. Good hitters come in all shapes and sizes. Work ethic is big. Find a way to love the grind. Attention to detail in quality repetition will be essential. These factors can broaden the gap between gifted and great!" 

COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Independent Instruction 2020-present
  • ​Lead Hitting & Fielding Instructor at Field of Dreams in River Falls, WI 2013-2020
  • River Falls Fighting Fish talent scout / Assistant Manager 2013- present
  • UW-Stout Baseball Team Captain 2010 and 2011
  • River Falls High School Baseball 

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • River Falls Fighting Fish Baseball 2008-present
  • University of Wisconsin Stout Baseball 2008-2011
  • River Falls High School Baseball 2001-2005

HONORS/AWARDS
  • UW-Stout all conference 2009, 2011
  • All Region 2nd team 2011
  • Career UW-Stout records: most runs scored (140), 7th most in hits, 6th most in doubles, 6th most in triples, 11th most home runs (19), 7th most stolen bases, 24th most RBI's
  • WIAC All-Sportsmanship team 2011
  • High School: all conference teams in 3 sports 2004/05: Baseball, Basketball, Football

WESTON LOMBARD
THROWING COORDINATOR
Flamethrower Development

about Weston
Weston Lombard pitched at the University of San Francisco where he interned and worked directly with pitching guru Tom House  and his company, Mustard. Mustard (teammstrd.com) uses AI and computer vision to capture pitcher biomechanics and create individualized training programming.

COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Intern, Mustard, 2020-23
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in:
    • Throwing programming
    • Medicine balls
    • Weighted/plyo balls
    • Arm Care/recovery
    • Pitch design
    • Biomechanics
    • Mobility
    • Rapsodo/Trackman

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • New York Boulders, professional Frontier League, 2023-present
  • University of San Francisco, 2022-2023
  • Gustavus Adolphus College, 2019-2022
  • River Falls Fighting Fish Baseball 2018-present
  • St. Paul Academy Baseball, 2014-2017

HONORS/AWARDS
  • 2021 at Gustavus Adolphus College:
    • National Player of the Week
    • Rawlings All Region Second Team
    • MIAC All Conference First Team
    • Gustavus single-season strikeout record holder
    • 9-inning no hitter against Bethel
  • 2023 at the University of San Francisco:
    • Led team in wins, saves, ERA, and appearances
    • First team WCC All Academic

JOSH EIDEM
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
Great Teammate Specialist

about Josh
Josh Eidem has been a teacher and now assistant principal with South Washington County Schools since 2005. After playing at UW-River Falls, Josh has led the Fighting Fish amateur team to a winning culture and record of 405-149 since 2008. He has coached summer teams with the River Falls Youth Baseball Organization since 2021 and fall teams for River Falls Youth Softball.

COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Driveline-certified instructor in baseball youth development
  • Co-Founder and Instructor, Western WI Baseball Club Sandlot Camp, 2005-2014
  • Youth Baseball Coach, RFYBO 2021-2023 (9U AA, 9U AAA, 10U AAA)
  • Educator - has helped lead two separate middle schools to School of Character designations in Minnesota

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • River Falls Fighting Fish, 2008-Present
  • UW-River Falls, 1999-2002
  • Rochester Mayo High School, 1997-1999

HONORS/AWARDS
  • Captain, UW-River Falls, 2002
  • WIAC Scholar Athlete
  • All-conference honorable mention, Big Nine Conference, Rochester Mayo 1999
  • KS95 Teacher of the Month, 2006
LUCAS LUEDTKE
Big Fish Baseball
about Lucas
Lucas Luedtke is currently in his second year as an assistant coach at UW-Stevens Point after a decorated playing career. Luedtke is a River Falls High School graduate and co-manager of the River Falls Fighting Fish amateur baseball team.

COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • ​UW-Stevens Point Assistant Coach, 2022-Present
  • Guppy League Camp (ages 4-6) instructor, 2022-Present
  • River Falls Baseball coach: 15u, 16u, 18u, 2020
  • Sandlot Baseball Camp (ages 7-14) Instructor, 2018-Present

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • River Falls Fighting Fish Baseball 2016-present
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Baseball 2017-2022
  • University of Minnesota-Morris Baseball, 2016-2017
  • River Falls High School Baseball 2012-2016

HONORS/AWARDS
  • ABCA Second-Team All-America, 2022
  • ABCA First-Team All-Region, 2022
  • D3baseball.com Third-team All-Region, 2022
  • Honorable Mention WIAC All Conference, 2022
  • All-Sportsmanship WIAC, 2021
  • First-Team UMAC All-Conference, 2017
  • Second-team BRC All Conference, 2016
AVERY AMIDON
Big Fish Softball
About Avery
Avery Amidon played first base and pitcher for the River Falls Wildcat Varsity team and is a freshman softball player at Bemidji State University where she will be majoring in biochemistry. She enjoys working with the youth in her community, including individual lessons and volunteer coaching youth teams.
 
COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Played Club Softball for five years
  • Volunteer coach for youth teams and individual players in River Falls

HONORS/AWARDS
  • Academic Letter (2020, 2021, 2022)
  • 2nd Team All-Conference (2021-22)
  • Honorable Mention All-Conference (2023)
  • Varsity Captain (2021, 2023)
  • NCAA Division II Softball at Bemidji State University
CHASE MCQUADE
Big Fish Baseball
about Chase
Chase McQuade is a 2024 graduate of River Falls High School. Chase has served as team captain for the Wildcats along with competing with the Minnesota Blizzard. Chase will continue his baseball journey Concordia-St. Paul. Their coach, Neil Lerner, had this to say about Chase on a CSP press release:

"We are extremely excited to add Chase to our baseball team next year. Over the spring and summer season, we got to know him and his family very well. We were super impressed with Chase's character along with that of his entire family. From the moment we started watching him, we could tell that Chase was a leader on and off the field, something we love having in our catchers. One thing that always stood out to us was how hard he worked at every aspect of the game while playing, especially with the little things that are required from a catcher. Even when he wasn't in the lineup, he was always at the front of the dugout supporting and leading his teammates. With some time in the weight room and work with our coaching staff, we are excited to see the progression of Chase at the next level. We see him competing for time behind the plate and potentially in the outfield as well." -CSP Press Release, November 9, 2023
JORDAN TORREZ
Big Fish Softball
about jordan
Jordan Torrez is a 2024 graduate and a four year starting catcher for the River Falls Wildcat Varsity softball team. In the fall Jordan will attend Luther College where she will play softball and major in Exercise Science on a Pre-Occupational Therapy Track. 
 
COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Played club softball for three years for Minnesota Magic
  • Volunteer for youth softball programs 

HONORS/AWARDS
  • Academic Letter (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Varsity Letter (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • 2nd Team All-Conference (2023)
  • Honorable Mention All-Conference (2022, 2024)
  • ​Varsity Captain (2023, 2024)
HENRY ZIMMERMANN
Big Fish Baseball
about henry
Henry Zimmermann is a 2024 graduate of River Falls High School currently committed to the Winona State Warriors to play college baseball. He is also serving double duty this summer playing for both the River Falls American Legion team and the River Falls Fighting Fish amateur team. Zimmermann has been a student of hitting coordinator Brian Giebel for several years and is looking forward to starting his coaching career working with our campers this summer.
 
COACHING AND TRAINING EXPERIENCE
  • Played club baseball for seven years, most recently for the Great Lakes Lumberjacks.
  • Volunteer for youth baseball programs in River Falls

HONORS/AWARDS
  • Academic Letter 2024
  • Varsity Letter (2022, 2023, 2024)