Excited to announce my commitment to Cleary University to continue my academic and baseball journey. Huge thanks to Coach Hodgins and my parents for all their support, and to Coach Maki for giving me this opportunity! @AreaDodgers@dmak41
Steve Hodgins—former Lakes Area Dodgers player and son of Coach John Hodgins—promoted to full-time MLB umpire and crew chief. Behind the plate at yesterday’s Dodgers game ⬇️
Excited to announce my commitment to Cleary University to continue my academic and baseball journey. Huge thanks to Coach Hodgins and my parents for all their support, and to Coach Maki for giving me this opportunity! @AreaDodgers@dmak41
Packed weekend with my @AreaDodgers team playing in Ohio against the University of Rio Grande and Owens College. Appreciate the coaches for hosting and taking the time to talk with us after the games!
Clips from the mound (3 pitch strikeout) and CF ⬇️
Lakes Area Dodgers made the trip down to University of Rio Grande this weekend! Appreciate them hosting us and giving the boys a campus tour.
Got some quality ABs in, too!
‘26 Jay Fuhs #8
‘26 Balen Retchko #11
‘27 Tyler Sowards #22
#lakesareadodgersfallcollegetour
Got an inning of work under the lights last night vs Jackson College. Mixed it up - fastball, off-speed, breaker - came away with 3 Ks in one inning against a tough lineup. Thank you to the coaching staff for hosting and the opportunity to play! @AreaDodgers
Lakes Area Dodgers’ bats were popping today in a tough matchup against Lake Michigan College at the Red Hawks first game on their brand new turf field!
‘27 Joey Vandervord #1
‘27 Ethan Cunningham #7
‘26 Balen Retchko #11
‘26 Ryan Welscott #27
#lakesareadodgersfallcollegetour
Thank you to Coach @cLaMange and his staff for a solid prospect camp today. Really enjoyed the game-focused format and getting to learn more about @AquinasCollege during the campus tour.
Had a great visit at @ClearyUniverse yesterday! Enjoyed the campus tour and learning more about what Cleary has to offer. Great talking to you @CoachHoogs!
Metrics/video ⬇️ from the CSB combine @ Albion College earlier this summer. Thank you to Coach Hallahan from #DallasChristianCollege for a well-run event and #CSB for the invitation to join the 2025 National Select Team.
FB: 82 (recent T84 mph)
CB: 77 / CH: 78
OF Velo: 88 (recent T90 mph)
2026 Grad | Age: 16 | RHP/CF/3B
@BUncommitted
Solid day at the plate for Lakes Area Dodgers 17/18U’s Balen Retchko - 4 hits, 2 RBIs, including this one down left field. @LegacyMI_BAS
Last 9 Games:
.500 AVG | .556 OBP | 1.118 OPS
@balenretchko | 2026 | RHP, CF, 3B, SS