WC Missouri News

University of Central Missouri head baseball coach Kyle Crookes will serve as a main-stage clinic speaker at the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Convention, scheduled for January 9-11 in Columbus, Ohio.

Crookes is set to present a clinic titled "Winning 90-Feet at a Time: A Systems Approach to Aggressive Baserunning." He enters his 12th season leading the Mules and has received several honors during his tenure. These include six ABCA Central Region Coach of the Year awards, four MIAA Coach of the Year distinctions, and being named the 2022 ABCA Division II National Coach of the Year.

Under Crookes’ leadership, Central Missouri finished as runners-up at the 2025 NCAA-II Baseball Championships after winning their second consecutive regional title and the program’s 21st overall. The team achieved an overall record of 48-14 and went 29-7 in MIAA play. The Mules secured their 31st conference regular-season title, and Crookes became the program's all-time winningest coach with 446 victories by season's end.

The annual ABCA Convention features clinics presented by ATEC over three days at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. These clinics are regarded as a central component of the event and address various baseball topics.

According to its description, "The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), founded in 1945, is the primary professional organization for baseball coaches. Its over 15,000 members represent all 50 states and 41 countries. Since its initial meeting of 27 college baseball coaches in June 1945, Association membership has broadened to include nine divisions: NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA, NJCAA, Pacific Association Division, High School, Youth and Travel Baseball."