I don’t usually pay too much attention to the Atlantic League between the end of the season and New Years, but after the holidays there’s usually some news.
Newark Bears
- I covered the new additions to the Newark Bears’ front office on Friday.
- Former Bear Jay Gibbons signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last week. It’s nice to see one of last year’s more fan-friendly players get a shot.
Lancaster Barnstormers
Manager Tommy Herr will have a new coaching staff in Lancaster this season. Former Cardinals pitcher Danny Cox will take over for Rick Wise as the team’s pitching coach, and fan-favorite Barnstormers’ catcher Lance Burkhart will return in a new role as the team’s hitting coach.
Long Island Ducks
- Ray Navarrete, the 2009 Atlantic League MVP, was honored by the Long Island Press as the “Best Long Island Duck.”
- Former Duck Jose Offerman, managing the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League, was detained after appearing to punch umpire Daniel Rayburn during a game on Saturday according to the Associated Press. (Tip via Night Owl Cards.)
Somerset Patriots
Last month, catcher Travis Anderson announced his retirement and took over for Kevin Dattola as the Patriots’ hitting coach. Dattola and the Patriots reached a mutual decision to go their separate ways, according to Courier-News sportswriter Ryan Dunleavy.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs are making changes to their coaching staff too. Marty Janzen, a former Toronto Blue Jay, will take over for Andre Rabouin as the team’s pitching coach. Outfielder Jeremy Owens, who was named team captain in 2009, will be a player-coach in 2010.
York Revolution
- York will also have a new face on the coaching staff in 2010. Mark Mason will take over for Tippy Martinez as the team’s pitching coach. Mason has managed and coached in the Frontier League and was the head baseball coach at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pa. for 16 years.
- York also completed a trade with the Long Island Ducks to acquire the rights to OF Jose Herrera in exchange for the rights to P Daryl Harang, according to Jim Seip of the York Daily Record.
PaulHadsall.com 