2025 WINTER SKILLS CAMP

CAMP OVERVIEW

Pitching Camp: Spend the day with current pitching coach and former MLB pitcher Zach Putnam. Coach Putnam will share his MLB knowledge on arm care, mechanics and prepare you for the upcoming spring season. Bull pens are optional but available for those that want to throw in front of our coaching staff. 

Catching: Full comprehensive camp with catching coach and recruiting coordinator Josh Rebandt. Fine tune your blocking, receiving and throwing skills. 

Hitting/Defense/Baserunning Camp: Basic fundamentals including full BP in our massive indoor facility. Defensive and baserunning skills included. 

FACILITIES / LOCATION
Camps will take place in our state of the art Seelye Indoor Training Facility that is fully turfed indoor with six drop cages and indoor mounds. 

Donald J. Seeley Center Kalamazoo, the home of WMU’s main campus, is located midway between Chicago and Detroit, approximately 2 hours (140 miles) from each, on Interstate 94. The Seelye Center is located off of Stadium Drive next to Waldo Football Stadium.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Bat, glove, helmet, turf /tennis shoes, molded cleats, baseball pants.

An athletic trainer will be present.

MEDICAL CARE
A member of the Western Michigan University athletic training staff will be present during session. All Medical Waivers, concussion and health forms will be completed and signed electronically. All participants must complete a WMU camp medical insurance form and the Michigan parent and athlete concussion information and release form prior to participation.

CANCELLATION/REFUND
$20 administrative cancellation fee. If a player is forced to pull out of camp for medical reasons a full refund (minus a 6% processing fee if notification).

WMU COACHING STAFF
BILLY GERNON - HEAD COACH
Coach Gernon is the third longest tenured coach in over 100 years of Bronco baseball. During his tenure Gernon has had several record breaking and historical accomplishments including leading WMU to its 1st ever MAC tournament title in 2016.

This historical event returned the club to the NCAA regionals for the first time since 1989. Gernon led the team to its second MAC tournament title in 2024 in convincing fashion going 3-0 over the #1 and #3 seeds posting two shutouts. The Broncos had a historic season in 2024 going 32-23. Western Michigan led the MAC in bat­ting average and earned run average while shattering several offensive and pitching records along the way. The Broncos had the strongest winning streak in the nation (8) at one point in the season and broke the school record for runs scored, hits and RBl's. The pitching staff broke the single season record with 444 K's and finished second in the nation with seven shut­outs. RHP Luke Thelen was drafted in the 15th round by the Colorado Rockies. A school record five players were named to the All MAC Tournament team with junior outfielder Dylan Nevar being selected as the MVP. Nevar became the second Bronco to be named tournament MVP following LHP Keegan Akin who earned the title in 2016 and is currently pitching for the 2023 AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles.

Former Bronco Blake Dunn made his MLB debut on June 4 for the Cincinnati Reds. The Broncos posted a team GPA of over 3.5 for the 12th consecutive semester while placing a league high 15 players on the Academic All-Mac learn

In 2023 The Broncos finished a half game out of second place going 18-11 in MAC play qualifying for the shortened four learn post season tournament.

The 2021 Broncos finished in third place in the MAC going 23-17. The MAC tournament was eliminated in 2021 due to cutbacks related to Covid. Junior out­fielder Blake Dunn was selected in the 15th round by the Cincinnati Reds. Senior SS Drew Devine and junior catcher Connor Charping were named 1st team ALL MAC, Charping broke the single season record for stolen bases swiping 32 bags.

During his tenure at Western Michigan, 15 of Gernon's players have gone on to sign professional contracts. Eight of those 15 are still playing while two of those Broncos were drafted in the top six rounds including Keegan Akin who was a second round pick and is in his fifth season at the MLB level with the Baltimore Orioles. Akin helped lead WMU to its first ever MAC Tournament title in 2016 and was the 54th pick overall by Baltimore in the 2016 MLB draft. He helped the Orioles win the American League East in 2023 for the first time since 2016. 

ZACH PUTNAM - PITCHING COACH
Putnam begins his second season with the Broncos. He starred at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, where he was named the Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and Mr. Baseball in 2005. The Detroit Tigers selected him in the 38th round of that year's MLB Draft, but he instead elected to attend the University of Michigan, where he won three Big Ten Championships, was a three-time All-American and was named the 2008 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. In the summer of 2008, he was taken by the Cleve¬land Indians in the fifth round of the MLB Draft. Putnam began his coaching career in 2023, joining the Ball State staff as a volunteer assistant coach. That season, the Cardinals went on to win the MAC Tournament and reach the NCAA Regionals. 

JOSH REBANDT - ASSISTANT COACH
Rebandt begins his second season with the Broncos. Over the course of his coaching career, 33 of Re­bandt's former players have been selected in the MLB Draft. In 2024 Josh wrapped up his sixth and final year as the field manager for the Traverse City Pit Spitters of the Northwoods League. In 2019, he was named the NWL Field Manager of the Year and led the Pit Spitters to the NWL Championship. Rebandt took Traverse City to the league title again in 2021. The 2023 squad went 44-32 and won the Great Lakes East Division. The club went 39-33 in 2024 returning to the playoffs once again. He began his coaching career at his alma mater Clearwater Christian and has had stops at Adrian, Olivette Nazarene and Davenport as well.

GLENN MILLER - ASSISTANT COACH
Glenn begins his first year with the Broncos after retiring from professional baseball where he played for the Boise Hawks of the Pioneer League. Prior to his pro career, Glenn played three years at Eastern Michigan. He will coach the outfielders and assist with hitting as well.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Coach Josh Rebandt at joshua.rebandt@wmich.edu for more information on camp or registration.

All camps or clinics shall be open to any and all entrants (limited only by number, age, grade  level and/or gender).