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*In 2008 and 2009 there was no East or West Region Tournament. Instead, a State Seeding Tournament and a State Qualifying Tournament were held. The BGovs played in the State Seeding Tournament both years.
**In 2011-2022 there were no Regional, Seeding or State Qualifying Tournaments. Instead, all teams qualified for the State Tournament and were seeded based on the final regular season standings of a ND Statewide League. The BGovs entered the State Tournament as the #1 seed in 2014 and 2015; #2 seed in 2013, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022; #3 seed in 2011 and 2018; #4 seed in 2012, 2021 and 2023; and #5 seed in 2017.
***Due to COVID-19, the 2020 American Legion baseball season was cancelled across the country. No Regional or World Series tournaments were held. The state of North Dakota did have a summer baseball season but teams registered with Babe Ruth Baseball. There was a nine team Class AA Senior Babe Ruth Division.
2024: This is Coach Skytland’s 21st year as the Head Coach/Manager for the Governors. Skytland spent eight years as the coordinator for the 16-19 Year Old Baseball Program for the Bismarck Parks & Rec. Under Skytland, the Governors won the North Dakota American Legion Class "AA" State Championship in 2014 and have been the State Runner-up in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2016. The BGovs won the Judge James A. Wright Sportsmanship Award in 2005 and 2006. Coach Skytland was selected to help coach the Class ‘A’ West Team in the 2008 North Dakota East-West American Legion Baseball All-Star Classic. Skytland won his 500th game as Head Coach of the BGovs on July 15, 2019, a 6-0 victory over Grand Forks at Municipal Ballpark. Prior to becoming the Head Coach, Skytland was the Bismarck Governor’s assistant coach for three years.
Before BGovs: Coach Skytland has been a coach with the Bismarck Parks and Recreation summer baseball program since 1988 and Bismarck Youth Baseball since 2024. During his years with Parks and Recreation, Skytland has been involved with Babe Ruth Baseball since 1989 and served as the coordinator for the 13-15 year-old Babe Ruth Program from 1995-2000. Coach Skytland’s teams that won state championships at the Bambino (1993, 1995); 13-year-old (1993, 1994, 1997); and 14-year-old (1999) levels. His 1995 Bambino and 2000 15-year-old teams both won the Midwest Plains Regional Championship and placed fifth at the Babe Ruth World Series.
Off the field: Coach Skytland just completed his 23rd year as a teacher at Bismarck High School, he teaches Economics, US History, and Native American Studies. Coach Skytland also serves as an assistant boy’s basketball coach. Previously, he taught six years at St. Mary’s Grade School. Coach Skytland was the University of Mary’s Head Men’s Tennis Coach from 1993-2008 and also served as the Head Women’s Tennis Coach from 2001-2008. In addition to his teaching and coaching responsibilities, you will see Skytland on the sidelines working on the "Chain Gang" at several Bismarck Public Schools varsity football games.
Did you know? Coach Skytland was a NJCAA Academic All-American in men's basketball at Bismarck State College and a two-time NAIA Academic All-American in men's tennis at the University of Mary. |
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