Jim Kosmerick
Title: General Manager
Years With Braves: 13 years
Jim Kosmerick enters his 13th year as General Manager with the Michigan Braves. He previously held GM and Head Coach titles within the organization.
Kosmerick began his coaching career in Battle Creek, coaching in the Battle Creek Stan Musial League from 1993 until 2000. He then coached in the Pontiac Class “A” League and Can-Am league respectively, from 2001 until 2008. In the fall of 2009, he started the Michigan Braves with John Greshover.
With over 25 years of head coaching experience, Kosmerick has amassed over 1200 wins, has guided 8 teams to the World Series and have helped numerous players reach the professional ranks.
As the General Manager for the Braves, Kosmerick is in charge of the day-to-day operations including; budget, staff management, scouting, player development, analytics and statistics, marketing, sponsorships and overseeing the continued growth of the organization.
Caleb Pyscher
Title: Head Coach/Director of Player Development
Years With Braves: 4th Year
Caleb Pyscher is entering his fourth year of coaching with the Michigan Braves. Caleb is a former Flint area baseball stand out at Kearlsey High School. Caleb went on to play college baseball at Morehouse College (Georgia) and Rochester College. He earned second team all conference (SIAC) in 2014 and was the stolen base leader in 2018 (WHAC).
After college, Caleb joined the Rochester College coaching staff as a volunteer assistant, working with outfielders and baserunners. Caleb has also had the opportunity to play baseball at the professional level with the Rattvik Butchers (Sweden), Coomera Cubs (Australia) and Tucson Saguaros (Pecos League).
In travel baseball, Caleb has played exclusively with Motor City Pride and Michigan Braves.
Caleb is also the head coach for Kearsley High School baseball and also helps coach other sports with the Hornets.
Caleb is an excellent teacher of the game, especially when it comes to hitting. His ability to connect with players and not only help them with their development, but also be able to simplify the process for the player makes him a great instructor and coach with the Michigan Braves.
Charlie Smith
Title: Head Coach/Director of Pitching
Years With Braves: 3rd Year
In this position, Smith will provide clarity and direction from one voice on which way the organization is going to move in regards to pitching and what the framework for that movement will look like.
Charlie will help players optimize pitching performance, mechanical efficiency and advance player development which will include:
- Applying feel to help pitchers with sequence movements
- Learning tempo, balance, and layback
- Learning to hinge and knowing how to load back hip
- What the three points of pressure are
- Re-patterning motion
- Providing a a path for data/analytics within the overall program.
Coach Smith is currently the Head Coach for the Michigan Braves 18u team. He also is an assistant coach with the Kearsley High School baseball team.
Bret Clontz
Title: Head Coach / Director of Camps & Tournaments
Years With Braves: 3 years
As a coach in the Braves program, Bret brings the same grit, work ethic, and passion on the field and at practice as he had in his playing career. Coach Clontz was an assistant on Coach Pyscher’s 16u team in 2021 and moved into a head coaching role in 2022. He now leads one of our top upper class teams as the head coach. Coach Clontz also is the director of our youth camps and hosted tournaments.
Coach Clontz is also the Head Baseball Coach at Elisabeth Ann Johnson High School (Mt. Morris).
Max Baldes
Title: Head Coach / Catching Director
Years With Braves: 3 years
Coach Baldes is a great asset to our organization assisting with many aspects of player development, with a main focus on catching . Max joined our staff after playing at Rochester University. He was an assistant coach on coach Kosmerick’s 13u and 14u teams and now is currently the head coach of our 16U Scout team. Coach Baldes also oversees the programing and training for our Braves catchers.
Advisory Council
- Joe M.
- John G.
- Bob K.
- Bryan J.
Interested in being a member of the Michigan Braves Advisory Council?
Please submit your interest HERE.