Baseball | 1/27/2025 11:13:00 AM

Playing ball is in Kortmann's DNA. His dad spent over 30 years as an NCAA Division I softball coach, and that doesn't include the time spent sharing his love of the game with his son. As a young kid, Kortmann remembers playing ball with his friends in Manalapan Little League and falling in love with the game. There's nothing like the feeling of a ball hitting the glove, swinging your bat, and seeing the ball soar over the fence.

Kortmann took that experience as a kid with a deep love for the game and transitioned it to adulthood where he is now in his fifth season as the head baseball coach at Rutgers-Newark. One of the best parts of coaching is that it's a never-ending learning experience. There are always ways to grow and many ways to go about it. One way that Kortmann has managed to stay current and make a positive impact on the young men he coaches is by attending the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Annual Convention each year.

The American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) is the world's largest amateur baseball coaching organization. Founded in 1945, the ABCA is comprised of over 13,000 baseball coaches from all levels of amateur baseball, including youth, high school,travel ball, NJCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, among others.

"I've attended every ABCA Convention for the past 11 years, and every time I go, I come away learning something new," Kortmann said with much enthusiasm. "So, to be asked to present on the main stage at this year's convention and represent our baseball program here at Rutgers University – Newark on the national stage, I was truly honored and humbled."

Kortmann has been able to take his coaching journey and share it with his peers. At this year's convention in Washington, DC, he presented on the topic of "Team & Individual Hitting Development". Without giving away all of Kortmann's secrets, the presentation included sections on engineering your environment, hitting concepts & drills, and creating feedback loops within your offensive system.

When it comes to being a coach, setting "The Standard" is key to running a successful program. Kortmann focuses his efforts in four key areas: graduating players, competing to win championships, building leaders, and giving back.

Kortmann is adamant about running a successful program that goes about their business "the right way." One that alumni, donors, family, fans, the University, and community can be proud of. In it, there must be "Buy-In" and the mindset that "the little things are the big things."

As Kortmann reflected on being chosen to speak at the national convention, he shared "I certainly don't have coaching 'all figured out' by any means, but I have been fortunate to learn under some of the best coaches in the game, and hopefully some of that was able to show through in my presentation."

It showed in his presentation and in the dugout. During his coaching career, Kortmann has developed some remarkable young men and taught them how to be great in the classroom, community, and on the field.

"My coach always reminds us that being a great player starts with being a great person," said senior catcher Jonathan Rosado. " He pushes us to excel in the classroom, lead by example in the community, and give our all on the field. He's not just preparing us to win games, but to be men of integrity, discipline, and character in everything we do. It's about leaving a positive legacy both on and off the diamond." 

"Coaching baseball is a dream come true for me," said Kortmann. "As a kid, being on a ball field is all I ever really wanted. I think deep down I always knew I'd find a way to stay involved in the game in some way. What I didn't know is the relationships the game would lead to, the places it would take me to, or the experiences – the wins, losses, highs, and lows that become lessons learned over time – that the game would provide me with. I've learned over time that the game is the ultimate teacher, for those who are willing to learn from it."

Kortmann's first year at the helm was the Covid shortened 2021 season, which came with many challenges and a record that did not reflect the hard work and progress being made behind the scenes. Kortmann, his staff, and players, kept their heads held high and have been able to see the close games eventually fall in their favor, and losses from previous years turn into wins.

He has seen his student-athletes become Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) president's, walk across the commencement stage, and give back regularly to the local Newark community. 

Kortmann and his student-athletes have been exceptional leaders and representatives for Rutgers-Newark Athletics. With the drive to always strive to be better, and the love for the game going strong, the sky is the limit for the Rutgers Newark Baseball program.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives" - Jackie Robinson