Sasquatch Spotlight: Bachman and Bleeker

By: Natalie Dean

With a third of the 2024 summer season completed, Sasquatch first-year, Cade Bleeker and fourth year returner Ryan Bachman share their experiences with the team and their time playing summer baseball.

Bachman, who plays baseball at Mount Mary University, is now in his fourth year on the Sasquatch team. While he never thought he would be playing near his hometown, Bachman is grateful for his time on the team and credits many aspects for his reasoning for wanting to return.

“The baseball is really good and I think it has helped me improve a lot,” Bachman said. “There’s great competition but I also think the environment is so special. The fans are amazing and my parents are able to come almost every game. They don’t get to do that at school a whole lot with it being five hours away.”

When Bachman first joined the team, he started out as a ten-day contract player and then planned to travel and find another team to play for. With a roster spot soon opening up, Bachman was able to stay in Spearfish where he has been able to grow in his baseball career and as a leader.

“I started out as a temporary guy and now guys know I’ve been here and it’s been nice to take on the role of making sure their comfortable and trying to help them out as much as possible,” Bachman said. “I know that they are away from home and doing something that’s brand new to them. I’ve been able to do it for four years and I’m very blessed too.”

Throughout his four years Bachman has learned to just have fun and enjoy the time getting to know his teammates while playing the game.

“I put so much weight on how I performed instead of all the really cool experiences I get to have outside of it,” Bachman said. “At the start I was like I got to play well this summer so when I go back to school, they’ll see that. In reality none of it really mattered and I’m so thankful for the experiences and cool times I got have with some really cool people.”

Sasquatch first year, Cade Bleeker, who plays baseball at Colorado State University, enjoys exploring new things and new places. Though he has played collegiate summer ball in the past, the Sasquatch has brought aspects to the game that have been a positive change.

“In other leagues I hadn’t traveled to another city to play teams. They were usually right around each other,” Bleeker said. “That’s been really cool and more of a college experience in the season because you are traveling. You learn how to play on the road and it’s a new thing for me that I really like here.”

Bleeker always knew he wanted to play in the summer time. With the encouragement from his college coaches, Bleeker shared that he has more time to work on his skills and techniques over the summer.

“It’s fun to explore new places and see what baseball is like out here, cause its different everywhere you go,” Bleeker said.

The fans have also been a highlight for Bleeker. They have made it easy for him to have fun and enjoy the game.

“Talking to kids and seeing how excited the fans get when Bach comes up and they all clap for his song is super cool,” Bleeker said. “The experience the fans get when we play is really cool to me.”

Both Bleeker and Bachman have enjoyed their time playing with the Sasquatch and have learned to take in all the experiences, have fun, and enjoy their time on and off the field.