Minnesota Blizzard Baseball

For many high school baseball players, there is no feeling quite like the one of making the varsity team for the first time.  Even for the best players, it often takes time to reach the level and climb the ranks.

The Minnesota Blizzard’s Michael Jensen didn’t have long to wait as he made the Holy Family Catholic High School his freshman season. 

Jensen, in his second year with the Blizzard, has been a force on the plate and on the mound in the 2014-15 season.  In eight games, he had a 3-1 record with one save.  In 30 innings pitched, he struck out 49 which led to a stellar 1.87 ERA.  A two-way threat, he batted .329/.400/.468 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 28 games.  He scored 22 runs while driving in 20 with eight doubles and a homer.

Varsity baseball is often a players first time exposed to players of older ages and it is an adjustment made on the fly.

“A month before I made the varsity team, I was playing against my age level and playing against very good competition,” Jensen said.  “In my first varsity start, I was facing 18-year-old guys with beards.”

Thanks to the Blizzard program Jensen took a mature approach to the situation and thanks the coaching he has received.

“Blizzard has taught me to keep my composure,” he said.  “Composure is just as important as the stuff you bring.”

With the ups and downs of playing at a high level, a support system is important to keep moral high.

“They were able to hit my stuff,” Jensen said of the older competition, “which gave me more motivation to get better and that’s always great.”

The coaches in the program all make it a priority to improve the player on the field but also give them the tools to help take their game to the next level mentally.  Jensen said that the coaches not only tell him what will make him better but also the reasons to work on these skills.

Parents, Rod and Lisa, have been supportive of Michael since the beginning.  A basketball player, Rod has helped Michael pursue his passion of baseball and Lisa is his number one fan. 

“She always pays attention to all my games on the online play-by-play scoreboard whenever she cannot be at a tournament.”

With the support of coaches, family and teammates, Jensen hopes to continue the winning ways he and his 15u Blue team started in Vero Beach, Florida.  The team when undefeated and took home a championship (picture above).

Some athletes have inflated egos after reaching higher levels but that is not the case in Jensen.  He said one reason why he was attracted to the Blizzard was because of the sportsmanship of the program. 

“The program is so highly regarded by everyone who plays you that you want to keep that reputation alive.” 

And with that positive attitude, a successful sophomore season, the horizon is closer than he thinks.