2026 Season update

The NSHS Baseball Program, Lancer Baseball Club, and North Scott Little League are working diligently to make the 2026 season another special run for the HS and youth Lancer ballplayers. A few off-season changes should be noted - Co-Head Coach Travis Ralfs retired from coaching following the 2025 IHSAA Baseball Season, and Matt Petersen has filled that vacancy moving from Assistant Coach / Hitting Coordinator. Tony Huntley and Clayton Nettleton have been promoted to Varsity Assistant Coaches as well as Brian Peterson. Adam Kaufman has been hired as the next Head Sophomore Coach with Chase Holliday being hired as the Sophomore Assistant Coach. Ryan Sanders remains the Head Freshman Coach, and there is not a 2nd Freshman HS team.

The Iowa HS Baseball Coaches' Association (IHSBCA) has an annual Coaches Clinic which informally acts as a timeline checkpoint or starting point for the NSHS Baseball coaches, and from there baseball will take off rolling.

We are proud to utilize our NSHS Baseball Facility ("The Shed") with our LBC teams and our NSHS baseball players when they are not busy being "in-season" with another competitive sport. We utilize former LBC coaches (usually "dads") to aid the HS program in the off-season due to Coaching Restrictions / Contact Rules by the IHSAA. We work pitchers and catchers from January on, and once we enter March, we are allowed 15 "dates" prior to the official start of the IHSAA Baseball Season (i.e., Monday May 4, 2026).

The 2026 NSHS Baseball Season will be the first time we have had team try-outs in a very long time. Cuts are relevant to program numbers and are not guaranteed. Most likely, due to numbers, the HS try-outs will be strictly for placement. The NSHS Baseball Varsity Coaches reserve the right to implement cuts at any time. Try-outs and/or cuts promote a competitive environment where players are often rewarded for their commitment, effort, and dedication.

Presently, we have Board Member needs with NSLL, so please reach out to Coach Matt Petersen when able (coachpetersen20@gmail.com) for more information or to express interest.

The 2026 season will be an interesting one due to the varsity coaching changes and following changes at other HS levels, but we are all excited to devote our time and energy to another season of NSHS Baseball. LBC has changed a bit too going down to 1 x team per age group with the current 13u group being the exception with 2 x teams. NSLL is going to likely see an influx in participation due to the 2025 LLWS Midwest Regional Run after winning their 2nd Iowa State LLWS Championship in program history, which tends to attract more kids to the game. It is cool to win, and that we do!

Thanks for being a part of and/or following along with NS Baseball. We appreciate your support and interest! GO LANCERS!