2012 Baseball
Benjamin K. Reel is currently in his fourth season as the head coach for his alma mater, Indiana University Southeast.
At the age of 28, Reel has compiled an overall record of 110-56-1. He is one of the youngest coaches in college baseball to reach the 100-win milestone.
His Grenadier teams have been tremendously successful on the baseball field winning 66 percent of their games, and they have dominated opponents at home with a 62-11 record at the Koetter Sports Complex.
Under Reel, IU Southeast holds a 54-7 record in the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) with three-straight regular season titles and two tournament championships. For his efforts, Reel is a three-time KIAC Coach of the Year.
In 2011, the Grenadiers had one of the best seasons in school history, setting the record for the highest winning percentage. Reel's squad finished with an overall record of 38-15-1 including a school-record 23-game winning streak and a stretch where it won 32 of 33 games.
IU Southeast finished 15-2 at home and 23-3 in KIAC play. The Grenadiers won the conference regular season title for the fourth-consecutive season before winning the KIAC Tournament championship. Six IU Southeast players were named to the All-KIAC First-Team.
Reel's team advanced to the NAIA National Baseball Championship where it earned the first national tournament win in program history with a 4-2 victory over Mount Vernon Nazarene.
In 2010, the Grenadiers won a single-season school-record 39 games, had a 15-game winning streak, won both the KIAC regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the first-round of the NAIA National Tournament. The Grenadiers finished the year with an impressive 39-20 overall record and 18-2 in KIAC play.
The Grenadiers also received national recognition by being ranked in the Top-45 Poll five out of seven weeks of the 2010 season.
Under Coach Reel, several Grenadiers went on to outstanding individual success in 2010. Junior outfielder Cameron Conner became the first IU Southeast player in school history to be selected in the Major League Baseball draft. Conner was drafted in the 20th round by the Kansas City Royals.
IU Southeast outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Lenn was a second-team All-American selection, was named the KIAC Player of the Year as well as both the KIAC and IU Southeast Male Athlete of the Year.
Freshman outfielder Zach Maupin was chosen as the KIAC Freshman of the Year, and junior first basemen Daniel McDonald received Academic All-American honors in 2010. In addition, the Grenadiers had 12 KIAC All-Conference selections and four Gold Glove Team selections.
For his successes in 2010, Reel was named the KIAC Coach of the Year for the second-consecutive season.
In 2009, Reel led the Grenadiers to an impressive 33-21 mark in just his first season as a collegiate head coach. IU Southeast finished 13-3 in conference play which landed Reel with KIAC Coach of the Year honors in his inaugural season.
The Grenadiers batted .329 as a team and stole 128 bases (out of 148 attempted) which was eleventh-best in the nation. IU Southeast players Ryan Jones and Ben Wyatt were in the Top-10 in the nation in steals per game.
Six Grenadiers were named to the KIAC First-Team and three received second-team honors. IU Southeast also had nine conference Gold Glove winners.
PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE
The summer before taking the IU Southeast head coaching job, Reel was hired by the East Cobb Cubs in Marietta, Georgia. During his short stint, Reel worked as an assistant coach under manager Darrin Bowers. The Cubs went on to win 50+ games that summer and were among some of the top teams in the nation.
Prior to East Cobb, Reel spent two years as an assistant coach at IU Southeast where he served as hitting instructor, catching coach and recruiting coordinator.
In 2008, Reel helped to guide eight different Grenadiers to all-conference honors offensively; led by Ben Wyatt who was an All-Region XII selection with a batting average of .408 and 61 RBIs - one RBI shy of tying the school record.
Also, two of Reel's most productive hitters (Beau Manning and Mark Abell) signed independent professional baseball contracts after graduating from IU Southeast. Manning was selected to the Continental Baseball League (CBL) 2009 All-Star game as a second baseman representing the Big Bend Cowboys. Manning went on to play for the Frontier League's Florence Freedom in 2010.
Defensively, Reel coached two Grenadier catchers to All-KIAC honors.
During his time as an assistant coach for the IU Southeast baseball program, Reel served as the head coach of the Grenadier Summer team in the Derby City League in Louisville where he led the team to a collegiate division championship.
PLAYING CAREER
In 2006, Reel was the starting catcher and team captain for an IU Southeast baseball squad that finished 30-26 overall and as the KIAC Runner-Up. On the field, he hit .347 with 37 RBIs and a team-leading 19 doubles. For his efforts he earned KIAC first team honors. His 19 doubles are third most all-time in a single-season by a Grenadier player as well as the most by a catcher.
For his strong performance in the classroom, he received the KIAC Scholar Athlete Award and was named a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete. While still competing on the field and completing his eligibility, Reel began serving as recruiting coordinator for the program through an internship opportunity. Soon after his playing days came to an end, Reel was inducted into the Indiana University Southeast National Honoree Wall of Fame for his achievements both on-and-off the baseball field.
In the summer of 2006, Reel spent time traveling Europe representing the United States of America playing for Team USA.
Prior to his time at IU Southeast, Reel played for two seasons at Cleveland State (Tenn.) Community College under Head Coach Mike Policastro. In the spring of 2005, Reel posted a 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate for the Cougars.
Before college, Reel was a three-year starting catcher at South Dearborn High School, earning Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (EIAC) All-Conference First Team and All-Region Honors. He was also a member of the American Legion Region VII Championship team.
ACADEMICS
Reel, a graduate of South Dearborn High School, received his bachelor degree in General Studies from IU Southeast in 2007 where he was a KIAC Scholar Athlete and a NAIA All-American Scholar Athlete.
Joe Nattermann enters his fifth year as an assistant coach for the Indiana University Southeast baseball program. Two years ago, he moved over to the offensive side to coach hitters after serving as a pitching coach the previous two years. Last year he worked with the hitters and infielders while again serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Grenadiers.
ln his first season as a hitting coach, Nattermann helped 13 Grenadiers achieve a season batting average of .300 or better - nine of which hit above .350. He was also instrumental in six Grenadiers earning Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) all-conference honors offensively, including four first-team choices. The first-team selections combined for a .377 season batting average with 206 hits, 53 doubles, 15 home runs, 143 RBI and a.592 slugging percentage. As a team, the Grenadiers topped the conference in every single offensive category.
Last year, the Grenadiers led in nearly every offensive category in the KIAC again. He had five all-conference selections that combined to hit .371, 63 doubles, 37 home runs, driving in 221 runs while tallying a .572 slugging percentage. Three players garnered KIAC Player of the Week honors, led by Kyle Lenn who was 2nd team All-American, KIAC Player of the Year, and KIAC and IUS Male Athlete of the Year (.419, 90 hits, 24HR, 81RBI, 187 bases, and .870 slug%). Zach Maupin was also KIAC Freshman of the Year (.331, 7HR, 41RBI).
As a team, the Grenadiers had 15 players hit over .300, 600 hits, 111 doubles, 53 home runs, 413 RBI, 451 runs scored, and a .512 slugging percentage. Two players, Lenn and Cameron Conner were among the nations leaders in home runs and RBI (Lenn), and stolen bases (Conner).
The Grenadiers were also second in the conference in strikeouts, and third in innings pitched. Three Grenadiers were named first-team all-conference that season, while two earned second team honors under Nattermann.
Prior to coming to IU Southeast, Nattermann was an assistant coach at Jeffersonville High School, under Al Rabe. He spent a majority of his time coaching outfielders and hitters, spending time with the freshman and JV teams for two years a piece, before finishing up with the varsity for the Red Devils. His time there included a 2004 Indiana State Final Four appearance as the only unranked team.
Nattermann has also been an assistant coach for US Athletics 17 and under national travel team that traveled to Memphis, TN, Cocoa Beach, FL, and the Perfect Game Showcase in Atlanta, GA, among other tournaments. The team consisted of players from Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky showcasing their talents to college coaches from around the country. He has also in the past has worked camps for Champions Baseball Academy, University of Kentucky, Purdue University, and Jeremy Sheetinger's Capital City Baseball Experience for the children of Frankfort, KY.
This past season, Nattermann had the honor of coaching his third Major League Baseball Draft Pick in Cameron Conner (20th round Kansas City Royals). His other two were during his time at Jeffersonville High School in 2004 (Robbie Grinestaff, Chicago White Sox) and 2006 (PJ Thomas, Boston Red Sox). Four of his past players have played professionally, including Beau Manning (Florence Freedom) and Mark Abell (Texarkana Gunslingers), who joins Conner and Thomas (Worchester Tornadoes-2008).
Nattermann received his Bachelor's degree from IU Southeast in General Studies in 2004.He is single and currently resides in Jeffersonville, IN.
Stanley is entering his third season as a member of the Indiana University Southeast coaching staff. His duties include coaching the outfielders, recruiting and chief of academic success.
In his first two seasons as the Grenadiers' outfield coach, Stanley has produced six All-KIAC selections, three KIAC Gold Glove selections, the KIAC Freshman of the Year, KIAC Player of the Year, a second-team All-American and a Major League Baseball draft pick.
In 2010, Stanley's outfielders stole a combined 82 bases out of the Grenadiers' team total of 128 which was fifth best in the nation. His six core outfielders only made nine combined errors in 59 total games.
Senior outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Lenn was named an NAIA second-team All-American, the KIAC Player of the Year and the KIAC and IUS Male Athlete of the Year. Lenn batted .419 with 24 home runs, 81 RBI, 187 bases and a .870 slugging percentage.
In his first year with the Grenadiers, freshman right fielder Zach Maupin was named the KIAC Freshman of the Year. Maupin hit .331 with seven home runs and 41 RBI.
In the 2009 season, Stanley had tremendous success coaching the Grenadier outfield. His six core outfielders combined for a .354 offensive output. Three of Stanley's outfielders were named to the KIAC All-Conference Team. Two received first team honors. Also, two of the three outfielders on the 2009 KIAC Gold Glove Team were members of the Grenadier baseball team.
Remarkably out of 54 games in 2009, his core outfielders only made a total of eight errors. Also, his outfielders were responsible for 88 of the 128 stolen bases that season. The Grenadiers' team total was eleventh best in the nation.
Stanley also serves as the head coach for the Grenadier summer team in the Derby City League. The Derby City League is a wood bat summer league for collegiate players in Louisville, Kentucky. Upon taking the job on the IU Southeast baseball coaching staff, Stanley was appointed the head coach and is in charge of all aspects of summer operations. This includes game-day duties, player development, and game management.
In his first season leading the summer team, Stanley led them to the Collegiate Division title and an overall record of 14-8.
Stanley is a native of Aurora, Ind. and attended South Dearborn High School where he played for the Knights' baseball team. He was also a member of the American Legion Region VII Championship team.
Stanley pursued his baseball career after high school at Marian College in Indianapolis. He later transferred to the University of Southern Indiana where he received a Bachelor's degree in Journalism/Communications.
Steve Stemle is a native of New Albany Indiana, and enters his first season as the pitching coach of the Grenadiers' pitching staff.
Stemle graduated from New Albany High School in 1995 with a total of 8 varsity letters in Baseball, Basketball, and Tennis. In 1995 Steve led the Bulldogs Baseball teamto the Elite Eight in the Indiana State Tournament. After theBulldogs tournament run was over he signed with the Midland Redskins of the Connie MacSummer League andhelped them to a Runner-up finish in theConnie Mac World Series held in Farmington, NM.
In that same summer of '95, Stemle signed with Western Kentucky University on a full baseball scholarship. Hequickly moved into the starting rotation and eventually became the ace of the staff within his freshman year. Stemle was named to the Freshman All-American team after hisfirst season with the Hilltoppers was complete. Following his freshman year, he was offered the opportunity to play for the Chatham A'sin the prestigious Cape Cod Summer League during the summer of 1996. The A'sfinished the season winning the Cape Cod League Championship.
In 1998, after Stemle's junior year at Western Kentucky, he was selected as the 138th overall pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. He signed hisfirst professional contract on June 27, 1998 to play forthe St. Louis Cardinalsrookie ball affiliate, the New Jersey Cardinals of the RookiePenn league.
In 2000, Stemle waspromoted to the High-A affiliate Potomac Cannons of the Carolina Leaguewhere he again was able to make every one of his scheduled starts during their 143 game schedule.
In 2002, Stemle was promoted to theTriple-A affiliate Memphis Redbirds of the Pacific Coast Leagueand split time between startingand pitching in relief. After the 2002 regular season Stemle was invited to play in the prestigious Arizona Fall League tojoin the Maryvale Saguaros.
In 2004, Stemle was again assigned back to the Memphis Redbirds, but as a full time relief pitcher. 2004 was the final year of Stemle'sminor league contract he signed in 1998. He had served his six full minor league seasons under contract and was a minor league free agent.
In the winter of 2005, Stemle signed a minor league contract as a relief pitcher with the Kansas City Royals. That same spring he was invited to his first Big League Spring Training with the Royals. He was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League after the spring. After pitching20 innings forOmaha and only allowing 1 earned run Stemle was promoted to the Major Leagues on May 26, 2005. Hecame in relief of the late Jose Lima and pitched three perfect innings against the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately, after only 10 innings pitched that year a herniated disc in his neck ended his first season in the show.
In the winter of 2006, Stemle signed another minor league contract with the Royals with an invite to Big League Spring Training. After an exceptional spring Stemlemade the opening day roster of the 2006Kansas City Royals.But after only six innings pitched in 2006the injury bug struck again and ended his season with a reconstructive elbow surgery.
While Stemle was rehabbing his elbow in the winter of 2007, the previous herniated disc in his neck flared up worse than it did originally in 2005. In late 2007, he had an operation to correct the problems withhis discs, but the injuryproved to be worse than the doctors could correct and effectively ended his playing career.
Highlights of Stemle's professional career include:
-Pitching over 800 professional innings.
-ERA lowered every full season of minor league career.
-Pitched effectively as a starter and reliever.
-Making it to the Major Leagues.
Stemle has recently had his pitching target invention patent granted by the US Patent Office andhas a secondapplication pending. He has 12 years of instructional experience to accompany 12 year playing experience above the high school level.
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