THE OFFICIAL HOME OF
JBA CLUTCH BASEBALL & SOFTBALL
About Us
Since 2013, JBA Clutch has been dedicated to improving baseball in Central Wisconsin and give new opportunities to young athletes. In 2019, the softball program was added providing that same opportunity to girls as baseball provides to boys, we now have over 190 young athletes across 16 teams in the program.
In August of 2023, the Wausau Woodchucks took over the JBA Clutch program. The Woodchucks have been fixture of the Central Wisconsin community since 1994. The Woodchucks are a proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The Woodchucks are a founding member of the Northwoods League which is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind.
The Woodchucks and the Clutch program will continue to provide high level baseball and softball skills training, strength and agility training, clinics, summer select teams, college and professional showcases opportunities, as well as recruitment consultation. Whether you desire to take your path to the next level, or improve your skills to be competitive at any level we have the opportunity for you.
Our team understands that not all players want to play for a living, but want to enjoy the game at the level they feel comfortable. The Clutch program will continue to believe in multiple sport athletes and are very aware of the challenges that it presents. If an athlete wants to play multiple sports they should, kids are only young once and they need to have fun.
STAFF
MARK MACDONALD
Owner, Wausau Woodchucks & JBA Clutch
JEREMY JIRSCHELE
General Manager, Coach, Instructor JBA Clutch
Jirschele has extensive baseball experience in playing and coaching. During his college career he was a two time First Team All-American and Position Player of the Year, as well as a two time First Team NCAA Division 3 All-Midwest Region Player, at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Jeremy also played one season for the Wisconsin Woodchucks where he received MVP Honors as well as was selected as Baseball America's Silver Glove Award Winner. After college Jeremy was drafted by the Kansas City Royals where he played three seasons in the Minor Leagues. Jeremy continued to receive accolades for his success from his college career by being selected to the WIAC All-Centennial Baseball Team, being selected to the NCAA Division 3 First Team All Decade Team for the 2000's, and finally being inducted to the UW-Oshkosh Baseball Hall of Fame.
After his playing career Jeremy immediately began coaching baseball. He started as a High School Varsity Coach (2009-2011), and then moved on to the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point College Assistant Coach (2011-2014) and Head Coach (2015-2020). Jeremy is the original founder of JBA CLUTCH
Emmie Cibrario
Softball Coach & Instructor
RYAN TREU
President, Wausau Woodchucks & JBA Clutch
Treu is the current President & General Manager of the Wausau Woodchucks. He has a vast knowledge of the recruiting process and has personally worked with hundreds college baseball programs across the country. Under Ryan's tenure the Woodchucks have had over 1500 elite college players in Wausau, over 250 MLB drafted players and currently has multiple active players on Major League Baseball rosters.
Gannon Ruckman
Director of Operations, Coach, Instructor JBA Clutch
Ruckman originally from Freeport, Illinois where he was a multi-sport athlete who competed in basketball, golf, and baseball. Ultimately furthering his career to play college baseball at Central Methodist University (CMU) in Fayette, Missouri. Ruckman was a member of the 2021 NAIA Avista World Series team that ultimately lost in the NAIA National Championship game. CMU team that finished as the winningest team in program history finishing 49-8 in 21'. He graduated with a bachelors' degree in Sports Management in the spring of 2023.
Ruckman began his coaching career at Keiser University located in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was a graduate assistant for Keiser University and helped with the pitching development of the program under the guidance of Corey Thompson.
Ruckman spent the 2024 summer as the first base and assistant coach under Coach Thompson, for the Wausau Woodchucks. The Woodchucks had numerous NWL all-stars along with the winningest team in Woodchucks' history. Ruckman also managed the 2024 13U Clutch baseball team.
COREY THOMPSON
Player Recruitment Consultant
Thompson is the current Wausau Woodchucks Field Manager in the Northwoods League and Pitching Coach at Keiser University, Thompson spent a season at Point University as the Pitching Coach and Recruiting Coordinator. In his lone season, he instructed a Golden Spikes Semifinalist along with seven All-Conference and two All-Region pitchers.
Thompson began his collegiate coaching career at Coastal Alabama Community College as the Pitching Coach for a season. He went on to spend three seasons as the Pitching Coach at NCAA Division II, Spring Hill College.
CONTACT
Questions? Feel free to reach out to JBA CLUTCH STAFF.
Tel: 715-845-5055 Email: jbaclutch@woodchucks.com