After attending the
University of Minnesota in 1994, Ligtenberg signed with the
Minneapolis Loons of the independent
North Central League. He made 19 starts with them (114
innings pitched), allowing 103 hits and 44 walks for an
ERA of 3.31. He struck out 94. In 1995, he attended
spring training with the
Seattle Mariners as a potential
replacement player during the ongoing
Major League Baseball strike. On March 28, after pitching well enough to be offered a replacement contract, his contract was purchased by the Mariners. Like the rest of the replacement players he was released on April 2, after the strike was settled. As a result of being a replacement player, effectively crossing the players' picket line, he was subsequently never allowed to join the
Major League Baseball Players Association. In 1995, the North Central League folded, and the Loons joined the independent
Prairie League for the 1995 season. Ligtenberg re-signed with them, and in 19 games (17 starts) he pitched 109 innings, allowing 101 hits, 26 walks, and striking out 100 with a 2.73 ERA. Based on information provided by Loons' manager (and former
Atlanta Braves catcher)
Greg Olson, Atlanta purchased his contract on January 27, 1996. The purchase price was $720 worth of baseball equipment. His major league career began in . He played for the Atlanta Braves and
Arizona Diamondbacks of the
National League and the
Baltimore Orioles and
Toronto Blue Jays of the
American League. His best season came in , when he replaced
Mark Wohlers as the Braves
closer in mid-season, converted 30 of 34 save opportunities. He finished fourth in the 1998 National League Rookie of the Year voting. His 1999 season, however was hampered by a ligament tear, and after returning from injury in 2000 Ligtenberg was used primarily as a set-up man and middle reliever. Ligtenberg last played in 2009 for the
St. Paul Saints of the
American Association. According to a Twitter post by Kevin Goldstein, Ligtenberg retired on August 6, 2009, citing a knee injury. ==Coaching career==