Kelly Coates, an accomplished educator and aspiring ranch hand, is the author of “Teammates,” his debut novel. Residing in South Dakota with his wife, Ruth, they split their time between the Black Hills and the eastern plains. Currently teaching in the Douglas School District, Kelly’s deep-rooted passion for baseball led him to play legion baseball in Rapid City and catch at Northern State University. Although his playing days are behind him, Kelly continues to compete in South Dakota’s amateur baseball league, cherishing the companionship of the Game. Since 2013, he has been diligently crafting the Teammates series, with four of the five planned novels in various stages of completion. Additionally, he is part-time working on a young adult novel titled “Pevens.” Recently featured in the Aberdeen Insider, an article by Rob Garofalo delves into Kelly’s literary journey.