Powell High School senior and Powell Pioneer first baseman Dominik Bieber made it official in February to continue his baseball career at the next level, signing with NCAA Division III Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.

Bieber searched far and wide, before ultimately landing on Knox, with the coaching staff helping make his final decision.

“I got a couple offers back, but I went to visit the school and none of the schools were great, but Knox’s coach (Drake Sykes) is what made me go there,” Bieber said. “He was a phenomenal coach. I feel like he would help me with my career more than any other coach, because it seemed like he was invested in me instead of trying to find a player. That’s why I chose Knox instead of any other college. I didn’t really care about location, that’s why I picked them.”

Bieber stepped in and competed for the starting first baseman spot for the Pioneers last season, transitioning into the position and eventually holding the starting spot for a majority of the 2025 slate that saw the Pioneers battle to a 29-30 record and finish in the top four at ‘A’ state.

“When the other first baseman got hurt and I was just the guy, I didn’t have any stress on my shoulders … So I just played, and I played great,” Bieber said. “Without having stress on my shoulders, it really gave me that advantage and showed that I can be a good first baseman. With that confidence going out for this season, it helped me grow this year to know that I just have to keep working. I have it and I can do it.”

At the plate, Bieber held a .279 average, recording 34 total hits including five extra base hits, and added 26 RBIs for the Pioneers.

He also pitched 22-2/3 innings on the mound, and added a .923 fielding percentage and was part of seven double plays.

Bieber said that transitioning to the ‘A’ level last year was not a difficult transition, but felt like the team has shown better progression this offseason after a difficult ‘AA’ tournament in Gillette showed new challenges a year ago.

“Stepping up to ‘A’ team wasn’t that hard. It was definitely hard getting used to when we went to the Gillette ‘AA’ Tournament and had to face 95 miles per hour,” Bieber said. “It definitely helped us a lot. Saw a lot more skill than we usually do. We got a new pitching machine showing 90 so that we’re ready for this year. Because now we know what it’s like. We know how to get ready for it. Progression has definitely been a lot better this offseason than last.”

Serving as one of the vocal leaders of the group Bieber said he knows his role is important in knowing each one of his teammates and how to keep them motivated in order to keep competing each time they step out onto the field.

“We have certain players that when they’re not having a good time, if you say anything it’s going to make it worse. You’ve just got to let them be,” Bieber said. “I just try to know every other person’s perspective and how to make them better … You’ve got to know each player specifically, and what I have to do to make them better in the game and get over whatever they’ve got going on.”

Heading into this season the Pioneers will be facing a new challenge as a group, as legion baseball will have a new look combining the ‘AA’ and ‘A’ teams into one division to compete.

“The main thing that the team is doing is that we’re just not thinking about it. We know what we’re capable of, and just not getting rid of our season before it even starts,” Bieber said. “We’re just doing what we’re doing, and we know we have the talent to do it.”

Throughout his career Bieber said his family as well as a number of coaches have helped him get to this point to sign his letter of intent to continue his baseball career.

“The biggest (supporters) are my parents. They’ve helped me a lot, they put me in the right direction,” Bieber said. “From ‘C’ team all the way up to ‘A’ team, Hunter Christner [the former 'C' team coach] he was great. He really helped us develop and get into the legion level. Ryan Brown, my ‘B’ team coach, was probably one of the best coaches I’ve had … Then [Jason] Borders and Cory [Ostermiller] are just great people. Great people to be around, great coaches. They know what they’re talking about, know what they’re doing. Coaches and parents are the biggest people that have got me to this point.”

Heading into college Bieber said he intends to begin with general studies but is leaning towards studying exercise science.

The Prairie Fire finished the 2025 season with a 15-23 record overall and competes in the Midwest Conference.