Matt Kemp, a 2001 graduate of Cavalier High School in North Dakota, never imagined that his baseball destiny would lead him across an ocean. After a collegiate career at Concordia University in Moorhead, he signed a professional contract that took him to Germany, where he has now spent nearly two decades.
Kemp’s first stint in Germany was as a player, but the language barrier and cultural curiosity soon nudged him toward coaching. He climbed the ranks, eventually becoming an assistant coach for the Paderborn Untouchables, the flagship team of Germany’s top baseball league. His fluency in German and deep local ties have made him a natural fit for the role.
A Family Rooted in Paderborn
In Dortmund, Kemp met his wife, Birte, and the couple now raises two children: Riley, ten, and Brady, seven. The family has made Paderborn their home, a place where German traditions blend with American customs. Their children attend local schools, and the family celebrates both Thanksgiving and German holidays.
The Untouchables recently broke a four‑game winning streak with a 12‑8 victory over the Köln Cardinals, a win that underscored the team’s rising competitiveness. The triumph was especially sweet for Kemp, who had overseen a multi‑million‑dollar renovation of the Ahorn Ballpark the previous year, a venue now regarded as one of the league’s premier facilities.
Beyond club duties, Kemp serves on the coaching staff of the German National Team. One of his protégés, Vinny Ahrens, started at catcher for Germany in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers last year, a testament to Kemp’s influence on the country’s emerging talent. The experience has also opened doors to return to the United States, but Kemp says the decision to stay is deliberate.
Kemp’s parents, Daniel and Kaaren, remain on their farm in Hamilton, North Dakota, and he makes an annual pilgrimage to visit them. The journey back to the U.S. is a reminder of his origins, yet each return reinforces his commitment to the life he has built in Europe. "I love the rhythm of German life," he says, "and I’m proud to see how far the sport has come here."
Looking Ahead
With the Paderborn Untouchables poised for another strong season and the German National Team preparing for upcoming qualifiers, Kemp’s focus remains on developing talent and deepening the sport’s foothold in Germany. His story illustrates how a transatlantic career can become a permanent, rewarding chapter rather than a temporary stop.