VERPLANCKE TAKES STEEPLECATS REIGNS IN 2008
NORTH ADAMS, MA - The North Adams SteepleCats of the New
England Collegiate Baseball League are excited to announce
the hiring of Jeff Verplancke, 2007 pitching coach, as the
Manager for the 2008 season. The 'Cats followed a similar
strategy in 2006 when Laz Gutierrez was hired as Manager
after serving as the 'Cats pitching coach in 2007.
Verplancke, currently the Head Baseball Coach and Special
Education Teacher at Colony (CA) High School, resides in
Corona, CA with his wife Carrie and two daughters, Ava and
Jenna. He graduated from California State University, Los
Angeles in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal
Justice. He then earned his teaching credential in Physical
Education from Chapman University in 2005 and will complete
his Masters in Teaching from Chapman later this spring.
Verplancke brings considerable professional baseball
experience to North Adams. Drafted in the 2nd round of the
1998 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, and again by the San
Francisco Giants in the 11th round of the 1999 draft,
Verplancke's professional baseball career spanned four
organizations and five years, including several long stints
with the Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants AAA team. During one
of his stints with the Giants, Verplancke played alongside
Williamstown native Tim Flaherty who also played several
seasons in the Giants minor league system.
Verplancke's 2007 pitching staff finished 3rd in the NECBL
in era (3.05) and first in saves (15). The 2007 team
recorded a 23-19 record, which tied as the second best
record in the 'Cats 7-year history. "I was very impressed
with how Jeff managed the pitching staff. Not only did the
players improve and learn something from him, but he made
all the right moves from the dugout during the season and
maximized each of the kids ability," said McGrath.
"There were many factors that made it an easy decision to
come back to North Adams," said Manager Verplancke. "The
organization and community lend so much support for the
players and coaching staff. They really make it a seamless
transition away from home. Another factor was the
receptiveness of the young men on last year's team. Bringing
23 different personalities from across the nation and
getting them to mesh for a two month summer ball stint is
not easy. I look forward to that challenge, with the hopes
of bringing North Adams a NECBL championship.
"The fans can expect to watch a team that will compete hard
every night, press the issue, and make things happen," said
Verplancke.
When asked about his favorite memories, he was quick to add,
"We created many memories here last summer. The more
prominent ones would be the no-hitter Nick McCully pitched,
the Team USA game, and the All-Star
festivities."
"Jeff's hiring continues with our philosophy of providing
one of the best coaching staffs in summer collegiate
baseball. He not only understands what it takes to excel at
the collegiate level and make an impact at the
professional ranks, but he proved to the organization last
season that he can relate well with the players and teach
them the game of baseball," said General Manager Sean
McGrath. "Anyone who came in contact with Jeff was very
impressed and we are quite excited to have him representing
our organization throughout the NECBL and community."
After taking a closer look at Verplancke background, one may
be interested to learn about a few trivia facts about
Verplancke. In September 2002, he was traded from the Giants
to the Cubs for Bill Meuller and $400,000. A year later,
Meuller then went on to win the American League batting
title for Boston Red Sox in 2003. Verplancke's brother, Joe,
was the 1st college player (California Sate U., Los Angeles)
ever drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks when he was
selected in the 8th round of their inaugural draft in 1996.
Verplancke's cousin is PGA tour member Scott Verplank, who
won the 2007 Byron Nelson Championship.
"Not only do players and interns come to North Adams to gain
experience to advance their career aspirations, our coaches
arrive in North Adams to gain valuable experience in hopes
of furthering their profession. If you look back at a few of
our previous Manager's like Marc Pavao and Laz Gutierrez,
their careers advanced after leading the SteepleCats
organization. Pavao is in his third season as the Head Coach
at Barry University in Florida and has his program ranked
35th in the pre-season Div. II poll. Gutierrez is in his
second season as the Red Sox scout for southern Florida and
also served as pitching coach of the Lowell Spinners in the
New York Penn League last summer. We are very optimistic
that Jeff will follow in their footsteps and continue to
advance his coaching career and feel very fortunate to have
Jeff lead the SteepleCats in 2008."
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the
upcoming season, please visit one of the 7 local businesses
listed here to purchase your full season's ticket or 10-pack
ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season
Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the
Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45. Tickets are sold at all of
the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; Clarksburg:
Cross Road Variety; North Adams: Man's World and Moulton's
General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and
in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St.
Pierre's Barber Shop.
The 2008 season is right around the corner. Team USA will
return for their third visit to North Adams to play the
SteepleCats on Sunday, June 15. The SteepleCats will play
their home opener on Friday, June 6th against the Torrington
Twisters. Game time is 7pm at Joe Wolfe Field with gates
open at 6pm. For more information on the roster, schedule
and other news, please visit
www.steeplecats.com
