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 Walla Walla Sweets

Sweets Name Frank Mutz as New Manager

October 21, 2014 - West Coast League (WCL)
Walla Walla Sweets News Release


Walla Walla, Wash. - For the first time in team history, the Walla Walla Sweets lineup cards will have a new name in the manager slot, as veteran coach and former minor league pitcher Frank Mutz (pronounced Mutes) was announced as the manager for the 2015 WCL season. The announcement was made in front of fans and media at Journey's Chow House in historic downtown Walla Walla. Mutz replaces inaugural manager J.C. Biagi, who stepped down after five seasons in the dugout.

"Frank was as highly a recommended candidate for manager as I've seen at this level of the game," said Sweets president Zachary Fraser. "His professional playing and scouting experience, his time spent as a manager in the Alaska League, and his more than 15 years of coaching some of the best players in the country at the high school level have him well-positioned to build on the solid foundation established over the first five seasons of Sweets baseball. Our mutual goal is clear - to win a WCL championship with the best fans in the league filling Borleske Stadium."

Mutz, a native of the San Fernando Valley, is currently the head coach at Chaminade College Preparatory High School, one of the nation's best programs in producing high school baseball talent. He has also spent time as the head coach of Thousand Oaks High School and Oaks Christian High School, both in southern California. Prior to embarking on a teaching and coaching career, Mutz played NCAA Division I baseball at the University of Hawaii. Following his time as a Rainbow Warrior, he was drafted in the 23rd round of the Major League Baseball draft by the California Angels. He pitched three seasons in the Angels organization, played briefly with the Oakland Athletics in 1994, and was a scout for both the Diamondbacks and A's from 1994 to 1998. In between his professional playing and scouting stints, he served as the manager of the Kenai Peninsula Oilers, where he was named ABL manager of the year in 1991.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Sweets Family," said Mutz. "I look forward to the challenge of continuing the winning tradition here in Walla Walla."

Fraser and Sweets general manager Katie Biagi are in the process of working with Mutz to finalize the coaching staff for the 2015 season. The full staff will be announced at a date closer to the start of the season.

The 2015 campaign is slated to open Friday, June 5 at Historic Borleske Stadium. For more information on season ticket and group plans that are now available, visit www.wallawallasweets.com or call 509.522.BALL (2255).

WHAT EXPERTS ARE SAYING ABOUT FRANK MUTZ:

JOHN SAVAGE, HEAD COACH, UCLA BASEBALL: "Frank comes with a wealth of baseball experience, he will bring knowledge and an excellent feel for the game. The players will enjoy their playing experience up at Walla Walla."

PAT BAILEY, ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH, OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY BASEBALL: "Frank Mutz is a great baseball coach. More important, Frank Mutz is a great person. He will do an outstanding job managing the Walla Walla Sweets on the field. More important, Frank is a high character guy who will have an amazing impact on the lives of the players he coaches this coming summer with the Walla Walla Sweets. You have hired an outstanding coach. More important, you have hired an outstanding human being!"

MARK GUBICZA,WORLD SERIES CHAMPION, FORMER MLB ALL-STAR (KANSAS CITY ROYALS) & CURRENT FOX SPORTS BROADCASTER: ""Frank Mutz is a student of the game, a very good communicator and has a love of baseball. We've worked well together."

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West Coast League Stories from October 21, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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