Welcome to Pirate Baseball

Photo by Cahill Studios - Amery, WI

updated 5.11.24

Contact Coach Pete Johnson: pjohn@gk12.net

Remember that this is TENTATIVE. Weather causes a lot of spring sport changes.

Weather causes many changes!

GHS Coaching Staff

pete johnson

Pete Johnson

Head Coach Pete Johnson began his coaching career by assisting local legend Dick Peper in 1993.  He took the helm after Coach Peper's sudden death in the middle of the 1998 season. Pete has led the Pirates to eleven conference championships with twelve regional titles, four sectional runner-up finishes, and trips to state in 1998 and 2011. He oversees the youth baseball program during the summers, coaching junior high (since 1993) and other levels through the years. A 1986 graduate, Pete played shortstop for Grantsburg and was a four-year letter winner, three-year batting champ, two-year All-Conference player, and member of the 1984 state tournament team. He is grateful to be a product of "Peper Ball," and appreciates his role in the strong Grantsburg Baseball tradition. Pete graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 1991 and taught in the Grantsburg district for 11 years, then worked at Northwestern Electric Company for 17 years before returning to the school district in 2021.

adam olson

Adam Olson

JV & Assistant Coach Adam Olson joined the GHS coaching staff in 2008. He is a 2001 graduate of Regis High School in Eau Claire. A four-year baseball letter winner, he earned All-Conference three of those years--once honorable mention, and twice first team honors. He played two years of college baseball at Winona State. He is a strong addition to the program with a good emphasis on building solid fundamentals with a very inspirational and instructional approach. Adam teaches high school special education at Grantsburg, coaches middle school football, and helps athletes with strength training and conditioning. He is actively involved in working with youth baseball teams.

bryan vilstrup

Bryan Vilstrup

Assistant Coach Bryan Vilstrup joined the GHS coaching staff in the 2013 season. He is a 2003 graduate of Frederic High School where he was a four-year baseball letter winner, three-year All-Conference player, and a senior captain. After a successful high school career as one of the area's top pitchers, he walked on as a redshirt for the UW-Stout Blue Devil baseball team in 2004. At Stout, he earned letters all four years as a pitcher/outfielder. He was a team captain and part of the starting pitching rotation as a senior. Beginning in the summer of 2004, Bryan played men's amateur baseball with the Grantsburg Honkers. He became the team's player/manager in 2010. He is actively involved in working with youth baseball teams. Bryan works at Community Bank - Grantsburg.

bryan vilstrup

Tony Stelsel

Assistant Coach Tony Stelsel joined the GHS coaching staff in the 2023 season. More info coming.

ted gerber

Ted Gerber

Retired assistant coach Ted Gerber helped the program for over 20 years, beginning in 2000. He was also a volunteer youth coach during the summers. An accomplished catcher, he has mentored several of Grantsburg's top players at that position. Ted is a 1991 graduate of Bruce High School where he was a three-year letter winner, two-time East Lakeland All-Conference player, and team MVP. He played college baseball at the University of St. Thomas and was a three-year letter winner who was named "Team Player" his senior year. Ted founded the Grantsburg Honkers (of the Independent Baseball League) in 1999 and played for and managed the team through the 2009 season. In addition to being a member of the 2006 state runner-up squad, he also played for the Minnesota Class A state champions, St. Paul Highland Park in 1996. Ted is the President of Community Bank of Cameron. We want to thank Ted for his years of dedication to the program.