Central ND News

Experienced baseball coaches Mitch Gallagher and Justin Oliver have joined the Bismarck Larks as the team’s first-ever scouts. Both bring significant coaching backgrounds and connections to Bismarck, as well as experience in college baseball across the country.

According to Larks General Manager Nate Maddox, "This is a huge step forward for our program to build a team that can compete at the highest level. Adding Mitch and Justin gives us eyes and ears across the country. Each brings a different set of strengths from their experience either with the Northwoods League or college programs around the country."

Mitch Gallagher has longstanding ties with the Larks organization. He played on the inaugural 2017 Larks team, later served as head coach of the Bismarck Bull Moose in 2020, and was an assistant coach for the Larks in 2021. Gallagher has also led the Kokomo Jackrabbits, previously part of the Northwoods League, and is currently interim head coach at Eastern Florida State College. His familiarity with both collegiate programs and Northwoods League operations positions him well for his new responsibilities.

Gallagher said, "The one thing that really stuck out in Bismarck is the people who seem to gravitate towards the organization – the fans, the front office. I’m always looking to get back involved with the Larks even if it’s behind the scenes, doing whatever I can to make it a winning organization."

Justin Oliver also maintains strong local ties. A University of Mary graduate and former coach at Bismarck State College, Oliver now resides in San Jose, California but still considers Bismarck a second home. With over two decades of coaching experience—including several years as an MLB scout—Oliver offers valuable contacts within both collegiate and professional baseball circles on the West Coast.

The addition of these two scouts aims to strengthen player recruitment for Monroe during both off-season and summer play by leveraging their networks within college baseball.