Canes Great Lakes

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History of Canes Great Lakes

The Canes Great Lakes Baseball, formerly the Michiana Scrappers, is a youth based organization that began with a vision in 2005 and has evolved into 20 teams on the baseball side (9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U & 18U).

In 2021 Canes Baseball approached our organization to join there team and Canes Great Lakes was established. Canes Baseball has over 2000 college commitments, 250 MLB draftees and 50+ current MLB players.

Our sister organization is our Michiana Lady Scrappers that came into existence in 2014. The Lady Scrappers currently have 5 teams (12U, 13U, 14U and 16U).

Our goal is not to win at all cost, but a shared philosophy amongst all coaches to teach each player how to be grown young men & women and mature through the game of baseball and/or softball, while also preparing them on the field to compete at a high level. If you have a passion to play and learn at a high level and are not afraid of failure then this is the place for you.

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Canes Difference

The Canes Difference starts with developing young players to work through the daily grind to play at every level of the game. By fostering this hard work ethic early on and encouraging integrity through all aspects of the game, players are exposed to what they need to do to continue advancing at each level of their baseball or softball career.

Our high level coaching staff offers the experience and relationships needed to offer our players the opportunities to be seen by as many college coaches and professional scouts as possible as well as to compete in the best events and play against the best competition each and every season.

Our Staff

Our staff consists of former professional or collegiate coaches and players who have a passion for the game of baseball. Their passion for developing youth and high school to achieve their goals is our main focus.

Staff

Brian Blondell

Director Of Baseball, 17U Gold Field Manager

Brian Blondell, Director of Baseball, is a 1998 graduate of Bethel College, where he was an NCCAA All-American during his junior and senior years as a pitcher. After completing his collegiate career Brian became the pitching coach at Bethel College where he groomed 2 pitchers selected for All American honors, one who was a 2nd Round Draft Pick in the MLB draft and pitched several years for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians, Justin Masterson. The Bethel team, posted a school record 44 wins that season. In 2005, Blondell took the head coaching position at South Bend Riley, and held that for two years before moving on to become the Pitching Coach for South Bend St. Josephs High School, which went to the 2007 Class 3A Semi-State. Blondell returned to the College ranks in 2013 as the Head Baseball Coach at Holy Cross College. The 2015 season was the last year for the Saints, but not before a 31-21 season and 2nd place finish in the Chicagoland Athletic Conference. Blondell had another player drafted into MLB with the 24th Round selection of Jake Lanning by the Atlanta Braves. Once Holy Cross ended the baseball program, Blondell went on to start and coach the 1st baseball team at IU South Bend. Blondell returned to the HS coaching ranks as an assistant coach at Elkhart HS (Sectional Champions in 2021) and currently is the John Adams HS Assistant Coach (Sectional Champs 2022).

Brian is married to the former Christi Whitfield a standout volleyball player at Mishawaka HS (2x State Runner-up), who then went onto Bethel College to play Volleyball, where she was on the 1998 NCCAA National Championship team 3 kids: Alexis (22); Bryce (21); Brenden (17).

Visit Our Michiana Lady Scrappers Sister Site