From the Dugout

“Happy Thanksgiving”

Dear Johnnie Baseball Family and Friends,

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I extend my gratitude to each and every one of you for your passion and commitment to Johnnie Baseball. Not a day goes by when I don’t hear from an alum or supporter checking in, sharing memories, or simply staying connected. This is truly a special place—and we couldn’t do what we do without all of you behind us.

On Wednesday, November 19, SJU had its annual Thanksgiving meal. Our baseball team continues to show up with great support of this event.

Thank you for everything you continue to pour into this program.

Go Johnnies!
Scott Lieser
Head Baseball Coach, Saint John’s University
Slieser@csbsju.edu
https://gojohnnies.com/sports/baseball

⚾ Around the Horn: Inside the Program

We wrapped up October with a first for our program—our inaugural Halloween practice. The guys showed up in full costume, we played some competitive “tennie-ball,” and of course we finished things off with candy awards for the best outfits. It was a great way to break up the grind and let the team’s personality shine through.

Right now, we’re deep into our heavy lifting phase, and I couldn’t be more proud of the gains we’re seeing and the commitment the guys are showing. This stretch of the year is more “hands-off” for the coaching staff, so it’s on the players to take ownership—and they’ve done exactly that.

The team has also been making great use of the dome. Position players are getting in daily hitting work, while pitchers have started their throwing programs with a gradual build-up. Their consistency this time of year says a lot about who they are and where we’re headed.

Our schedule is now up on our website. Our season opens in Kansas City, MO vs Beuna Vista for a three-game series. We plan on going back to Central Florida for spring break; we will play eight varsity games and two varsity reserve games while we are down there from March 13 - March 21.

On the recruiting front, things are going extremely well. We’re excited about the young men who have visited campus and those who have already told us they plan to attend SJU. Thank you to those who have recommended players—you continue to be our best recruiters!

🎤 Senior Spotlight

Name, Position, and Major:

Jack Dobesh, Pitcher, Major in Elementary Education.

Where are you from, and what high school did you attend?

I am from Edina, Minnesota, where I attended Edina High School.

What made you choose Saint John’s University and Johnnie Baseball?

Saint John’s sense of community brought me to Saint John’s. SJU had some of the best people when I toured. You can go anywhere and, if you are wearing any Johnnie gear, you are bound to run into an alumnus who might offer you a job on the spot.

I chose Johnnie Baseball because of the best facilities and amazing resources that rival any Division 3 school in the country. I also have the best teammates I could ask for.

What does being a part of Johnnie Baseball mean to you?

I am not just a part of a team, but a part of a family. All of these amazing guys just make an atmosphere that can't be replaced. By having a group of guys super close on the team who are also really good at baseball, I can't wait to see where this last season will take us.

How has Johnnie Baseball helped you grow as a person?

Johnnie Baseball has helped me develop my work ethic and time management. It was definitely needed to have a good work ethic and good time management with the hours that college baseball requires. We are also held to a high expectation which also kept me accountable for striving for excellence not only on the field but in the classroom.

How do you lead as a senior?

As a senior, I strive to bring as much positive energy as possible to every practice and game. During the games, I am always yelling, trying to get the team fired up, and even trying to yell louder than Scott Bierscheid (the best athletic trainer in the world). During practice, I try to find anything I can do to contribute to the team, whether it is hitting fungos or just bringing the energy needed for those cold January practices.

What are your goals for your final season?

My goals for my final season include being healthy for the whole season. I want to contribute to my full ability. I want to help make the team better 1% every day.

What’s next for you after graduation?

I plan on going to air traffic control school and becoming an air traffic controller. However, I would still love to be a part of education and coaching since it is one of my passions.

What advice would you give to younger players or incoming freshmen?

I would tell younger players to savor every moment in your baseball career because you never know when your last moment could be.

What will you miss most about Saint John’s and Johnnie Baseball?

Something I will miss most about SJU will be living on campus with my friends, surrounded by the SJU community. I will miss hanging out with all of my teammates, the bus rides and trips that we take, and the memories that are made during those times.

🧢 Where Are They Now?

Alumni Q&A

Tim Dickmeyer ‘87

What years did you play at St. John’s, and what position(s) did you play?
1983 - 1987. I played Right Field (as far from the ball as possible)

What’s your favorite memory from your time with the team? Any fun stories?
Our teams were mostly .500 ball clubs. I remember my teammates most, and the great times we had playing ball. David Ace, Mark Hoffman, Tom Wills, Billy Kaufman, Doug Imholte, Steve Moss, Paul Hanowski, Dick Unger, Tom Dolan, Mark Arnold, and many more. All great teammates, all great people.

I remember having a Friday night radio show on KSJU with David Ace. It kept us out of Sal’s and in shape for Saturday doubleheaders.

What path did you take after graduation? Career(s)? Life after college?
I worked for 35+ years in the student loan industry in many capacities after graduation. I retired a little over a year ago.

Are there any ways baseball still plays a role in your life today?
Kim and I were fortunate to have both our children play collegiate ball. Amanda was a DII National Champ in softball at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. Jake had a very nice career pitching at SJU from 2015 - 2019. I had the opportunity to help coach both as they grew up. Jake has played for the Miesville Mudhens the last 10 years, so we’ve continued watching him play there. I’ve started field maintenance in my spare time during the baseball season at Miesville.

What does being a Johnnie Baseball alum mean to you?
Through the program, we’ve become close friends with parents of our son’s teammates. We’ve witnessed the construction and completion of a new baseball complex on campus. Lastly, we’ve witnessed the changing of the guard from Jerry Haugen being my coach, then my son’s, to his retiring. We look forward to witnessing the next chapter of Johnnies baseball!

👕 Own a Piece of Johnnie Baseball History

The jersey sale is still going strong! A big thank-you to the many alums who have already reached out to secure their retired Johnnie Baseball tops. That said, we still have plenty available, and they make a fantastic holiday gift for any Johnnie fan.

Available Jerseys:
• White Tops
• Pinstripe Tops
• Grey Tops
• Navy Blue Tops

Cost: $25 per jersey
Shipping: Add $10 if you’d like it mailed to your home

If you’d like to claim yours, reach out —these are first-come, first-served and quantities vary by size.

📸 Johnnies in Action

Follow us on social media
Instagram – @sjubaseball
X (Twitter) – @SJU_Baseball

Facebook - @SJU Baseball

📬 Spread the Word

Feel free to forward this blog to anyone who might want to join the Johnnie Baseball family!

Coach’s Final Word

With only a few weeks left in the first semester, it’s hard to believe how quickly things have gone. A special thank-you goes out to Hartley and Theisen for launching our baseball tailgate spot during home football Saturdays this fall. It is an incredible addition to our program culture and a massive step forward for connecting our families, friends, and alumni.

Another exciting development: the Johnnie Baseball podcast: ‘Home Field Advantage’ is in the works. Thom “Woody” Woodward ’70 has taken the lead on this project; and the podcast will run alongside this monthly blog. Our hope is that it becomes another great avenue for fans to stay updated on the program while hearing stories, insights, and interviews with alums, coaches, and players. More information to come on how you can listen in!

Thanks for following along, supporting the program, and staying connected.
As always—Go Johnnies!