MINNEAPOLIS -- Keith Bateman, who spent nearly a quarter-century as head coach of the Augsburg University baseball team, has announced his resignation to accept a position as Associate Athletic Director at Concordia College-Moorhead. Bateman's final day with the Auggies will be on June 12.
 
Bateman won 357 games in 23 seasons as the Auggies' mentor (2004-26, 357-464-1 record), the second-longest tenure of any baseball coach in Augsburg history, behind the 34 seasons coached by Edor Nelson from 1946-79.
 
"Serving Augsburg has been one of the great privileges of my professional life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with student-athletes, colleagues, and so many people across campus who care deeply about supporting students and helping them succeed," Bateman said. "Throughout my time here, I have been fortunate to build meaningful relationships with people across athletics and the broader Augsburg community. Whether through coaching, teaching, equipment room operations, student support, or simply day-to-day interactions, I have appreciated the willingness of so many to collaborate, problem-solve, and support one another. Those relationships are what I will value most."
 
Bateman coached 39 players who earned All-Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors in his 23 seasons, along with 20 All-Region selections by the American Baseball Coaches Association or D3baseball.com. In 2016, Mike Brookshaw earned MIAC and D3Baseball.com Midwest Region Rookie of the Year honors, and outfielder Jordan DeCroock was an ABCA Division III Gold Glove Team recipient in 2017. Ten Auggies earned All-MIAC Defensive Team honors since 2010.
 
Bateman has had 15 players play in summer collegiate baseball leagues, with 12 of those playing in the prestigious Northwoods League. He has also had three of his former players go on to sign professional contracts.
 
Bateman earned MIAC Coach of the Year honors in 2005, when his Auggies finished 24-18 overall and reached the finals of the four-team MIAC postseason playoffs. The Auggies also reached the playoff finals in 2010 and the playoff semifinals in 2013.
 
"One of the things that stands out most about Keith's time at Augsburg is the number of meaningful relationships he built with student-athletes, colleagues, alumni, and the broader campus community," said Augsburg Athletic Director Amy Cooper. "His commitment to students and to the baseball program has helped shape Augsburg Athletics for more than 20 years, and we are grateful for the impact he has had here."
 
Academically, Auggie baseball players earned 117 Academic All-MIAC honors during Bateman's years, with 17 earning College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition. Auggie infielder Darren Ginther was named a CSC Academic All-American in 2005.
 
In 2020, Bateman led the Auggies on an international trip to Cuba, in which the players learned about the history of Cuba and Cuban culture through the game of baseball. The Auggies went to Cuba again in 2024.
 
Prior to coming to Augsburg, Bateman served as an assistant coach at the University of St. Thomas (2003) and Bethel University (1999-2002). During his playing days as a catcher at Bethel (1995-98), Bateman earned All-Midwest Region honors in his senior season. He was a three-time All-MIAC selection and was team captain in his junior and senior years. He earned numerous team honors in his career including: team MVP his junior and senior years, Mr. Defense all four years, team Rookie of the Year, and team Most Respected Player his junior and senior years.
 
Most recently, Bateman also served as Men's Athletic Equipment Supervisor at Augsburg. He has also served on the Staff Senate and multiple other committees, most recently serving two years on the Pastoral Intern Committee (one year as chair).
 
Bateman and his wife Laura have two adult children, Brett and Kaylee. An outfielder, Brett played collegiate baseball at the University of Minnesota and is currently playing for the Iowa Cubs, the AAA squad of the Chicago Cubs. Kaylee was a collegiate gymnast at Winona State University.