Thank You, Scot Wheelock: Celebrating 13+ Years of Leadership, Service, and Commitment to Flames

After more than 13 years of dedication to Flames, Scot Wheelock is stepping down from his role as Director of Baseball.

It's difficult to summarize everything Scot has meant to our organization because his impact can be seen almost everywhere you look—from the players and coaches he has mentored to the partnerships he helped create, the facilities he helped build, and the countless hours spent working behind the scenes to make Flames better.

While Scot may be stepping away from his leadership role, the legacy he leaves behind will continue to shape Flames for years to come.

More Than 13 Years of Flames Baseball

A former college catcher, Scot joined Flames in 2014 as an assistant coach. More than a decade later, he is currently working with his third Flames team as a coach for our 14U baseball team.

During his time with Flames, Scot has helped develop countless young athletes, including at least seven players who have gone on to play baseball at the collegiate level.

He has also had the opportunity to take two Flames teams to Cooperstown Dreams Park in New York, giving those players and families an experience and memories they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

But Scot's impact on Flames extends far beyond what has happened between the lines.

Helping Build a Home for Flames

Scot has been instrumental in coordinating two different Flames facility moves, including our most recent move last fall into our current 20,000-square-foot training facility.

That move was a massive undertaking, and Scot played a critical role in transforming an empty space into the home our players and families enjoy today.

He spearheaded the procurement and installation of approximately 17,000 square feet of turf, along with the cage frames, netting, and many of the other components necessary to turn the building into a functional baseball and softball training facility.

Those who walk into our facility today may see turf, cages, training areas, and a place to practice year-round. Behind all of it are countless hours of planning, coordinating, problem-solving, physical work, and commitment from people who believed in what Flames could become.

Scot was one of the people leading that charge.

Creating Opportunities Beyond the Diamond

Scot has also continually looked for ways to provide our athletes with resources beyond traditional baseball instruction.

One example was his work establishing the Flames partnership with Friction Grand Rapids, giving our teams access to dedicated speed and agility training and adding another important piece to the overall development of our athletes.

Whether it was developing players, supporting coaches, improving facilities, creating partnerships, or simply finding a way to make something happen, Scot's focus has consistently been on moving Flames forward.

Watching the Next Generation Take the Torch

Perhaps the most fitting part of Scot's transition is that after spending so many years helping young athletes grow, he now gets an opportunity to watch his own children continue their journeys.

His son Ryan Wheelock has taken the reins of their 14u Flames baseball team as Head Coach, continuing the Wheelock family's presence in the Flames dugout.

His son AJ Wheelock is continuing his baseball career as a catcher at Viterbo University, while his daughter Addison Wheelock is competing in soccer at Calumet College of St. Joseph.

After years spent coaching, leading, organizing, building, traveling, and pouring into the development of young athletes, Scot has earned the opportunity to take a step back and enjoy watching his kids pick up the torch.

And we're pretty sure he won't be too far away from a baseball field.

Thank You, Scot

Scot represents so much of what we want Flames to stand for.

Commitment. Leadership. Development. Service. Relationships. And a willingness to put in the work when nobody is watching.

For more than 13 years, Scot has invested his time, knowledge, energy, and heart into developing our players and growing this organization.

The Flames organization of today is stronger because of his leadership.

Our players have had better opportunities because of his work.

Our coaches have had someone willing to support them.

Our families have benefited from his commitment.Our organization has a home and resources, that simply would not be the same without his efforts.

While Scot is stepping down as Director of Baseball, we're fortunate that he isn't leaving Flames. He will continue coaching our 14U team and remain an important part of the organization he has helped build for more than a decade.

On behalf of the Flames Board of Directors, our coaches, players, families, alumni, and everyone who has been impacted by his leadership, we say:

Thank you, Scot.

Thank you for the long days, late nights, road trips, practices, facility moves, phone calls, meetings, projects, problems solved, players developed, coaches supported, and the countless things most people never saw.

Most importantly, thank you for believing in what Flames could become and for spending more than 13 years helping us get there.

We wish Scot and the entire Wheelock family nothing but the best as they begin this next chapter.

You’re always a part of the Flames Family. 🔥