NEW ULM — Jim Buboltz, who is the head football coach at Minnesota Valley Lutheran, will wear another different pair of spikes when next spring begins as he was named the new head baseball coach at MVL on Tuesday.

Buboltz replaces John Gunderson, who has accepted a teaching position at Bethany Lutheran College in Mankato.

Gunderson had been head baseball coach at MVL for the past four seasons.

“We would like to thank John for his years of service to MVL both in the classroom and as well as both the football and baseball field,” Craig Morgan, Activities Director at MVL said.

Buboltz said that he is very excited about the opportunity to coach the Chargers’ baseball team as it was something that he has wanted to do for a long time.

“When I got to MVL 19 years ago, I was hoping to be involved with the baseball program,” he said. “I started with softball instead and then took over in administrative work as the Dean of Students. At that time, football was the only sport that worked out. So I have waited for this opportunity and I am looking forward to it. I am looking forward to the game that I really love.”

Buboltz has baseball coaching experience as he coached the JV teams in football and baseball at Lakeside (Wisconsin) Lutheran before coming to MVL.

Buboltz said that he wants to bring his style of baseball to the Chargers.

“I want to do things the right way, and in the game of baseball there are games inside of the game,” he said. “The players not only have to learn the fundamentals but also learn the intricacies of the game. When I coached softball, I was very defensive-minded as to where are you going to go with the ball, where is the ball going to go if it comes to you.

“On offense I like to play the game pretty fast, so I hope that the players will take to that mentality.”

Buboltz knows that his plate will be full at MVL.

“The question is will it be tough being both the head football and baseball coach as well as the Dean of Students,” Buboltz said. “That is where it is really going to come into play. I am willing to take that chance now. My family is backing me up with this decision, so it is a good time to see if they can jell together.”

Buboltz said that like football, he has good a good support system for baseball with assistant coaches.

“That is where it starts in that you need good people with you,” he said. “I have had Kevin Hulke with me since the day I walked onto the football program. Now in baseball I still have Jeff Schoenherr and I have also talked to John Giefer. He worked with the varsity program last year and he brings a lot of knowledge to the game. He is coaching New Ulm VFW Silver this summer. Those kind of assistants are invaluable.

“I think that this is a good time to take over as head baseball coach,” Buboltz added. “I really like the guys that are in the baseball program now in grades 9-12. We have some leaders coming back in Jace Marotz, Mason Cox and Teddy Giefer, and we have a lot more guys playing summer baseball. I think that this group is ready to win now.”