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Twins Camp 2024
Championship Teams Crowned!
The 2024 camp will be remembered for great baseball and the rainy weather that led to wet field conditions and created one of the most challenging weeks in camp history. Despite the conditions, we were able, through a bit of creative scheduling, to get all but two scheduled games in for the week. We were successful in witnessing a great week of baseball action and perhaps one of the most talented rookie classes in camp history. With ten teams vying for eight playoff spots.
The 10 teams that made up the 2024 Twins Camp included: The Draft Kings – coached by Al Newman & Juan Berenguer, team Roasted & Toasted – coached by Ron & Toby Gardenhire, ​​team Exit Velo Boys – led by Gene Larkin & Milt Cuyler, Game 7 – managed by Frank Viola & Jeff Reardon, ​BMG’s – coached by Matt LeCroy, Phil Roof & Dick Stigman, team FA&FO – led by Jacque Jones & Tommy Watkins, the Rex-Less – coached by Tim Laudner & Tom Brunansky, team No Relief –coached by Glen Perkins & Juan Rincon, team Induce Vertical Break, coached by Stu Cliburn, & JC Romero, and the Fireballers, coached by Devin Smeltzer & Brian Dinkelman. Overseeing all of the baseball operations again in 2024 was Camp Commissioner and Baseball Hall of Fame member, Bert Blyleven. We certainly missed one of the newest members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Tony Oliva, who was back in his native Cuba visiting family. Also missed were veteran Pro Staff members, Kent Hrbek & Steve Braun who were both under the weather and last minute scratches to the 2024 camp. Twins AA Manager, Ramon Borrego, was also scheduled to join us but had a last minute scheduling conflict that kept him from camp this past January.
The standings of the camp after a week of play (at the completion of seven pool play games) looked like this:
Blue Division
Team Wins Losses Runs Allowed Runs Scored
Induce VB’s 6 1 26 52
Game 7 5 2 20 48
No Relief 5 2 21 31
Rst & Tsd 4 3 24 62
Red Division
Draft Kings 4 3 41 31
BMG’s 3 4 32 24
Rex-Less 3 4 48 35
Exit Velo’s 3 4 53 44
The two last place teams, FA&FO and the Fire Ballers, did not qualify for the playoffs, but did a consolation game play inside Hammond Stadium on Friday morning. The game that has been affectionately tabbed by our campers as the “Toilet Bowl”.
With the prospect of rain weighing heavy on the week’s close, the annual Pro Staff vs. Rookies game was again scratched to allow Friday morning’s winners to advance immediately to Hammond Stadium and their respective championship game.
In the Red Division the BMG’s squared off against the top seated team, the Draft Kings. The BMG’s got their offense going early, scoring 2 in the first, while holding the Draft Kings scoreless through the first six innings. The BMG’s were able to score 6 in the 5th. The Draft Kings rallied in their half of the final stanza but were unable to overcome the lead that the BMG’s had developed. With the rain becoming to come down harder, the BMG’s claimed their championship with an 8-3 win.
2024 RED DIVISION CHAMPIONS – THE BMG’s
Pictured left to right, first row: Tracey Gohmann, Staci Melby, Randy Lott, Jeff Belzer, Fill Kohler, Rick Born & Jim Stearns. Back Row: Coach Matt LeCroy, Cam Born, Paul Kratoska, Mark Davis, Coach- Phil Roof, Lance Anderson, Brian Lott, Tim Hasse & Coach – Dick Stigman.
The Blue Division Championship was another matter. The same rain that began to fall in the final inning of the Red Division contest was enough to wipe out any chances of playing the Blue Championship at Hammond on Friday. Saturday morning campers were again welcomed with some morning showers. The annual cookout at Hammond Stadium went on as planned as the Grounds crew evaluated the field conditions in an attempt to find a field – any field – that would allow us to get the Blue Division Championship game played. Hammond Stadium was definitely out, but the crew thought that if everything went as predicted, Field #1 behind the Academy, just might be a viable option. Finally at around 1:00, it was determined that the combination of the morning showers and the absence of any Florida sunshine, no field was going to be playable without risking injury to players. It’s time’s like these that we lean on our Hall of Fame Camp Commissioner, Bert Blyleven. It was finally determined that there could be no Blue Division Championship.
Game 7 did win one more game in pool play than the Roasted & Toasted team, and in one of the finest played games of the camp week, had bested team Roasted & Toasted by a 1-0 score earlier in the week. But there was no doubt by the Pro Staff and the Commissioner that Roasted & Toasted had peaked at exactly the right time and was ready to challenge Blue Division defending champion coaches, Viola & Reardon. Stan suggested that the rosters of both teams just register for the 2025 camp and we could begin next January’s camp with the Blue Championship game. His suggestion was quickly dismissed and it was decided that for the first time in anyone’s memory – we would have Co-Champions at Twins Camp. “A bit like kissing your sister,” commented Stan. But the decision was made and there is no doubt that both squads were among the very best at the 2024 Twins Camp.
A special thank you to Jim & Rose Lundeen and Killebrew Root beer for their generous sponsorship in making the expanded award program a reality. Thank you guys!
2024 BLUE DIVISION CO-CHAMPIONS – GAME 7
Front Row, (left to right): Mike Wolfe, David Hydorn, Dan Wolberg, Ryan Hess, Mark Brooks & Mark Besser. Back Row: Coach – Frank Viola, Mark Wolfe, Dave Blankers, Jamie Green, John Green, David Prybilla, Steve Kluvers and Coach – Jeff Reardon.
2024 Blue Division CO-Champions – Roasted & Toasted
Front Row: Brian Neibaur, Chelsi Nelson, Chad Nelson, Greg Williams, Jerry Nelson & Brian Neibaur. Back Row (left to right), Coach – Toby Gardenhire, Paul Smith, Eddie Army, Alan Duff, George Ladd, Kraig Haenke, Chris Nelson and Coach – Ron Gardenhire.
Congratulations to the 2024 Twins Camp Champions! We wish to also congratulate the other seven teams that made for another exciting week of baseball!
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Twins Camp 2024 Player Awards!
Each year, the Twins Camp’s Pro Staff meets on Friday morning, prior to the scheduled start of the single-elimination play-off games, to nominate and select those individuals whose performance in the week’s pool play was at a truly exemplary level. This year the staff’s work was again made difficult by the number of quality players in camp, and the arrival of another large and perhaps, the most talented rookie class in camp history. The camp recognizes individuals in eight major categories. They are: Cy Young (over & under 50 years of age), Gold Glove (over & under 50), Most Valuable Player (over & under 50), the Rookie of the Year, and the prestigious Kirby Puckett Award. In 2020, a new award, the “Silver Slugger” award was introduced and each year the award goes to the leading hitter at the Twins Camp.
Each winner, as is the case with each of the members of the two championship teams, receives an engraved, wood plaque to commemorate their great week of baseball.
​Additionally, every year, the coaches on each team recognize a team MVP(s). The team’s MVP(s) as selected by the coaches, received an autographed pull-over worn by the coaches during the week by a member of their coaching staff. Some of the coaches could not zero in on just one individual and named multiple winners. The team MVP’s for 2024 were:
2024 Twins Camp Team MVP’s
 
FA&FO MVP‘s, Dick Bremer & John Moore Roasted & Toasted MVP’s – Brain Neibaur
with coaches Jacque Jones & Tommy Watkins. & Jerry Nelson with coaches Ron Gardenhire & Toby Gardenhire.
 
BMG’s MVP’s Staci Melby, Tracey Gohmann, No Relief MVP Eddie Palmer with coach
& Paul Kratoska with coaches Matt LeCroy, Glen Perkins. Juan Rincon (Not pictured).
Dick Stigman & Phil Roof.
 
Rex-Less MVP’s Bob Spector & Gerry Seurer Exit Velo Boys MVP, Dave Hinnenkamp
receive their awards from coaches, Tim Laudner & in the absence of his coaches Gene Larkin
Tom Brunansky. and Milt Cuyler from the Commish – Bert.
 
Fireballers MVP Lisa Ernst pictured with Game 7 MVP’s, Mark Besser & Mark Brooks
with coaches Brian Dinkelman & Devin Smeltzer. with coaches Jeff Reardon & Frank Viola.
 
Induce Vertical Break MVP’s, Eric Nelson & Draft Kings MVP, Ron Innamorato with
Tim Dura with coaches Stu Cliburn & JC Romero. with coaches Juan Berenguer &
Al Newman.
Congratulations to all of the Team MVP recipients!
Well Done Campers!
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2024 Individual Player Award Recipients
As mentioned earlier, new to this year’s camp in the Awards area is the “Silver Slugger” that will now be presented to the leading hitter at the camp who meets the minimum qualifying number of “at bats” during the week. This year’s Award winner, Chris Nelson, completed his week at the plate with a lofty .789 batting average, recording 15 hits in his 19 at bats during pool play. Chris received a mini bat autographed by three time AL Batting Champion and National Hall of Fame member, Tony Oliva.
The 2024 Silver Sluggers for the Twins Camp was Chris Nelson. Chris had to depart camp early so his father, Jerry receives his award from Camp Director, Stan Dickman.
The 2024 Cy Young Award nominees in the Over 50 category included: Mark Wolfe, Adam Ross, Bob Lange, Mark Besser, Mark Bellrichard, John Moore, Jason Seurer & Randy Lott. The Cy Young award winners in each category receive an engraved plaque as well as an autographed baseball by American League 1988 Cy Young winner, Frank Viola. This year’s Over 50 Cy Young Award winner was Mark Besser of team Game 7, coached by Jeff Reardon & Frank Viola.
Buford Faust receives his Cy Young award from coaches Devin Smeltzer (left) & Glen Perkins.
The Under 50 Cy Young Award nominees included: Ryan Hess, Josh Popp, Shane Moore, Brad Danielson, Eddie Palmer, Matt LeCroy, Chris Nelson Drew Levin & Chad Nelson. This year’s Under 50 award went to Josh Popp also of team Last to First. Josh also received a Frank Viola autographed baseball from this Draft King coaches, Juan Berenguer and Al Newman.
Josh Popp receives his Under 50 Cy Young Award from his coaches for the week, Juan Berenguer (left) and Al Newman.
One of the keys to any championship caliber team is a great defense. Again this year, there was plenty of leather flashing at the Twins Camp in 2024. In the Over 50 Gold Glove category featured several good gloves, including award nominees: Randy Lott, Gerry Seurer, Steve Kluvers, Dave Hinnenkamp, John Moore & David Hydorn. When the votes were tallied, it was John Moore that was recognized for earning this year’s Gold Glove.
Over 50 Gold Glove award winner John Moore receives his Gold Glove Award from coaches Jacque Jones (left), & Tommy Watkins.
The Under 50 Gold Glove group also turned in their share of incredible web gems. They included: David Prybilla, Chad Allen, Chelsi Nelson, Mike Wolfe, Robb Bader, Ben Neibaur, Eddie Palmer and Brian Slipka. The 2024 Under 50 Gold Glove Award went to Chelsi Nelson, coached by Ron & Toby Gardenhire.
2024 Under 50 Gold Glove winner, Chelsi Nelson accepts her award from coaches, Ron Gardenhire (left), & Toby Gardenhire (right).
The key to any successful Fantasy Camp is a great group of rookies each year. We have been blessed at the Twins Camp to each year attract approximately 30 first time campers. The 2024 Camp was no exception, and Pro Staff member Glen Perkins commented that it was the most talented rookie class he’d seen in his four years of camp coaching. We were thrilled to have a group of incredible first time campers and it made for a difficult task for our Pro Staff to single out just one of this group for the Rookie of the Year Award. This year’s nominees – great players all – included: Eddie Palmer, Chris Nelson, Ben Neibaur, Chad Nelson, Ben Tzeel, Shane Moore & Chelsi Nelson. In 2024 the Twins Camp ROY went to Ben Neibaur of team Roasted & Toasted, coached by the Gardenhires – Ron & Toby.
Standout 2024 Rookie of the Year, Ben Neibaur receives his Tony Oliva autographed mini helmet from his coaches for the week, Ron Gardenhire (left) & Toby Gardenhire.
2024 Under 50 Most Valuable Player, Chris Nelson.
Ask any Twins Camper and they’ll tell you that one of the most anticipated awards for camp week is the Most Valuable Player Award. Each year it has gone to some of the finest players to ever join us at Twins Camp. The 2024Twins Camp Under 50 Most Valuable Player nominees in 2024 included: Ryan Hess, David Prybilla, Chris Nelson, Shane Moore, Robb Bader, Ben Neibaur & Mike Wolfe. This year’s Under 50 MVP is, Chris Nelson of team Roasted & Toasted, coached by Ron & Toby Gardenhire. Chris had to make an early departure from camp so his Father, Jerry Nelson accepted the award on Chris’ behalf.
Over 50 MVP, John Green with his coaches for the week, Jeff Reardon (left) and Frank Viola (right).
In the Over 50 Most Valuable Player category, another talented group of campers were recognized in 2022 – a group that we’ve come accustomed to seeing at a high level. Those players nominated for this year’s recognition included: David Hydorn, Dave Hinnenkamp, John Moore, John Green, Mark Besser & Jason Seurer. This year’s Over 50 MVP is John Green coached by Jeff Reardon & Frank Viola.
The “Kirby Puckett” Award is without question the most prestigious and coveted awards that any camper can aspire to receive. The Award goes annually to the camper that most exemplifies the passion and positive attitude that Kirby Puckett brought to the clubhouse and field each day. While we again had an impressive and deserving group of candidates, no one could argue with the Pro Staff’s selection this year. The nominees included: Eddie Munoz, Dan Wolberg, Josh Popp, Rick Bruce, Chad Allen, Jamie Green & Staci Melby. This award goes each year to that camper that has demonstrated a passion for baseball and an incredibly positive attitude. This year’s recipient is Staci Melby. Staci received her award to a rousing ovation from campers and staff.
All of the coaches on hand gather with Staci Melby as she receives the highly coveted “Kirby Puckett” award for the 2024 camp. Pictured from left to right front row are: Juan Berenguer, Tim Laudner, Jacque Jones, JC Romero, Staci Melby, Tommy Watkins, Jeff Reardon, Al Newman, Brian Dinkelman and Stu Cliburn. Back Row: Glen Perkins, Matt LeCroy, Toby Gardenhire, Dick Stigman, Phil Roof, Devin Smeltzer, Bert Blyleven & Frank Viola.
Congratulations to all of the 2024 Twins Camp Award winners and nominees!
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