Hayden Stamm is one step closer to the big leagues.
The former Ludlow High School baseball player was recently promoted from his position as clubhouse manager in the Athletics minor league system. The one-time Panthers catcher was promoted to Midland, the Double-A affiliate of the Athletics major league club. The RockHounds are longstanding members of the Texas League.
“I found out in late December,” said Stamm, previously clubhouse manager at the Athletics’ High-A affiliate in Lansing, Michigan. “I’ll be heading out to Arizona for spring training sometime before the end of February.”
That will mean fewer assistant coaches for the Ludlow boys basketball team. Stamm was brought on as a Ludlow assistant this season by Panthers head coach Aaron Stamm, who coached his son for the Ludlow baseball team.
The younger Stamm returned to Ludlow in late September following the conclusion of the Lansing Lugnuts’ schedule. His baseball offseason coincides with the high school basketball season, so that presented pretty much a no-brainer for the elder Stamm.
“He was looking for something to do in the offseason this year and coaching came up,” the head coach said. “He has really stepped up and done a great job in the JV role. One of the highlights in my coaching career was winning No. 400 this season and what made it special was being able to share it with him on the bench and my family in the stands.”
By the time the 34th District tournament rolls around, Hayden Stamm will be in Mesa, Arizona, along with all the other clubhouse managers in the Athletics’ system. Following spring training, he travels with the RockHounds to Midland, Texas, a city with a population of approximately 130,000. It’s located about 100 miles east of the New Mexico border, halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso. It’s deep in the heart of West Texas and a part of the country Stamm has rarely seen.
“I’m excited,” said the 2021 Ludlow graduate. “When they said I was going to Midland, it just made me feel really good that I did a good enough job in Lansing. I was there for two years and did the best job I could, and I plan on doing the same thing at my new job.”
Stamm is one of the younger clubhouse managers in the minor leagues. He doesn’t turn 22 until March. His quick rise through the Athletics’ system comes after honing his organizational skills locally with the Florence independent baseball team.
Stamm started as a Florence bat boy when he was 16 years old and soon after was handed clubhouse duties. He became an assistant clubhouse manager before he graduated from Ludlow. He earned a promotion to Florence clubhouse manager soon after graduating. Stamm added additional duties, including the home clubhouse. He began working more closely with the front office and traveled with the team on road trips. He did that for two seasons.
Stamm got the job with the Lugnuts when he was 19. After two years with the team, he is moving on.
“It seems like it’s happening so fast,” he said. “But there are steps to go and I’m not taking anything for granted or expecting anything. There’s always uncertainty. I just want to work hard and keep doing what I’m doing and do the best I can for the team and the players and whatever happens will happen.”
That said, Stamm is mere steps away from the majors.
“Even before then there are clubhouse managers at minor league complexes above Triple-A,” Stamm said. “So, it may still be a while. Either way, it’s a lot of fun and a great opportunity.”
In the meantime, there is plenty of fun and opportunity here at home. Stamm works a part-time job at a family friend’s business while getting the chance to reconnect with old acquaintances. His sister, a student at Thomas More University, is also around. The whole family — mom, dad and the kids — have been together under one roof all winter enjoying some good home cooking.
On the hardwood, coach Stamm’s Panthers have about a half dozen games to go before the younger Stamm heads to Arizona for spring training.
“His goal is to make it to the big leagues and he has the determination and work ethic to make that happen,” coach Stamm said. “I’m proud of him for taking the next step in his professional career.”
One of Hayden Stamm’s first items of business in Texas is finding a place to live in Midland. He can only hope to replicate his residence while in Lansing, a row of apartments overlooking Jackson Field.
The only thing immediately beyond the outfield fence at Momentum Bank Ballpark in Midland is grass berm seating areas for baseball fans at Scharbauer Sports Complex. Beyond that are the flatlands of West Texas, oil fields, pump jacks and a big sky. Midland is located in The Permian Basin, the heart of America’s oil field industry. Midland’s sister city of Odessa is the setting of the book, movie and television series Friday Night Lights, Stamm’s favorite TV show.
Beyond Midland for Stamm may be the bright lights of the major leagues. But first is the Midland experience. The RockHounds haven’t won the Texas League crown since 2017, but they were divisional winners last season with a second-half title. They played for the Texas League championship for the first time in seven years. This is their 53rd season. Play begins April 4 at home vs. Arkansas.
“I can’t wait to get there,” Stamm said. “It’s a great job and it’s nice to know all the hard work is paying off.”
Next stop, the Athletics’ Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators.
“Not even thinking about it,” Stamm said. “I have a job to do in Midland.”