No one exemplifies what the Post 22 baseball program is all about more than Kyle Yamada.

   A standout player who went on to play and then coach college baseball, Yamada returned to Rapid city as a coach in 2006 and will begin his fourth year as director of the Post 22 Baseball Academy.

   Once just a dream of the Post 22 staff, the Academy is host to indoor workouts, clinics and camps, providing a facility that allows the program to fine tune its players while also helping to reach out to the youth of the area through lessons and other events, getting them involved in baseball and interested in Post 22.

   As director of the Academy, Yamada puts on various clinics for players and coaches, conducts lessons, and maintains the 6,000-square foot facility.

   On top of his work with the Academy, he plays a huge role in the program, working with the younger players. As a coach with the Cadets, Yamada teaches the fundamentals and basic ideas of the Post 22 program to those just entering into the system. It is with that knowledge base they are able to go onto later success at Post 22.

   Yamada returned to Rapid City after spending seven years in California, where he operated the West Coast Baseball School in Los Angeles. In addition to owning the facility, he was the head instructor and director of the program, working with some of the best players in the Los Angeles area.

   Prior to that, Yamada spent one season as an assistant with the University of North Dakota, and two years at Southwestern Iowa Community College.

   He entered coaching following a lengthy and successful playing career. The 1991 South Dakota American Legion Player of the Year, Yamada helped Post 22 to a pair of state championships as a middle infielder. He also earned South Dakota Player of the Year honors from Topps following his summer success.

   Yamada played two seasons of Division I baseball at the University of Wyoming, then played three years at Cameron (Okla.).

   On top of his baseball success, Yamada also was a successful wrestling and track athlete. Twice he finished as the state's runner-up in the pole vault, and he was a two-time place winner at the state wrestling tournament.

   This is actually Yamada's second stint as a coach with the program. From 1995-1999, he spent five years as working with the Bullets.

   Yamada and his wife of three years, Holly, reside in Rapid City. Both currently teach in the Rapid City Area School District. They have two children, Jaden (2) and Kaelyn (born in January).