The Good Life – March-April 2018

COVER // MICHAEL SCHLACT
“The tradition and pride that comes with wearing the
RedHawks logo, definitely,” Schlact responded with no
hesitation. “Our first priority is playing good baseball.
But the second is to give back to this community, to
be a positive part of this community. We want to give
back to the people who’ve given so much to us.”
Having been a player so recently, Schlact said he wants
the RedHawks players who aren’t from the Fargo-
Moorhead area originally to immerse themselves in
the community.
“I want them to experience what I’ve experienced
in my time here,” he said. “I want to invite families
in more often, and I want them to know more about
us as people... I want people to know us for being
approachable and family friendly.”
Choosing to be together
Family friendly is not a term Schlact takes lightly.
Being a professional baseball player is hard enough for
one person when it comes to abrupt moves, so having
two people to consider is infinitely more difficult.
His wife has a degree in childhood education, but once
they were married, she put her career on the shelf.
“She said, ‘We just need to be together,’” he recalled.
“One season we moved five times.” During those crazy
transitions, Schlact flew to his new team’s hometown
while his wife stayed behind to pack the apartment
and then drive to meet him in their new city.
“It was just something we did,” he said.
Now, with a second child on the way, the process of
staying together will be a hair crazier, but more fun.
“We have an SUV, so if it fits, we bring it,” he said.
By the end of April, the family (which also includes a
Pomeranian) will be settling into their apartment in
south Fargo, and the fun really begins.
“My son loves the Friday fireworks and on Sundays,
he gets to run the bases with Dad,” he said. While the
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