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Aces Hire Dan Shwam As Field Manager

March 4, 2009 - Continental Baseball League (CBaseballL) - Alexandria Aces News Release

Alexandria, LA; March 4, 2009- The Alexandria Aces of Continental Baseball League (CBL) today announced they have hired Dan Shwam as their field manager for the 2009 season.

Dan comes to the Aces after spending two of the past three years as the manager of the Laredo Broncos in 2006 and 2008. Last season his club finished with a 39-48 record and fifth place in the United League. In 2007 Shwam managed the Grays of the Can-Am League and set a record for the most wins in a single season by a traveling team.

Dan was previously named manager of the Alexandria Aces prior to Ricky VanAsselberg taking over the field leadership role right before the 2006 season. Shwam signed many of the Aces' players that formed the nucleus of the back-to-back United League champions in 2006 and 2007.

"Dan brings a wealth of not only successful baseball managing experience, but also a strong track record of success for finding quality players to the Aces organization," said Andrew Aguilar, General Manger. "He always puts a strong team on the field and we are excited about what he can bring to one of the most successful independent league teams in history, the Alexandria Aces".

Dan began his coaching career in 1987 as hitting coach with the Salt Lake City Trappers of the Pioneer League. In his five years with the club, the Trappers won two league championships. He began his managing career in 1993, the first year for the independent baseball leagues, with the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks of the Northern League. Dan is one of three managers who managed in that inaugural independent baseball season that are still managing today.

Shwam's successful managerial career continued with stops in the Northeast League with Mohawk Valley and Newburgh making the playoffs for both teams. His Newburgh squad posted the league's best record and lowest ERA in minor league baseball, which helped earn Dan the Northern League Manager of the Year award. Pitching and defense are two staples of the teams led by Shwam.

Shwam also managed Elmira where his club won the Northeast League Championship in 1997. He spent three years in Elmira before moving onto manage Catskill of the Northern League in 2000. In 2001, Dan was named the manager of Evansville of the Frontier League.

In 2002, Shwam took his act to the Central Baseball League and managed the Jackson (MS) Senators to the Eastern Division pennant and advanced to the Central Baseball League Championship Series only to fall in the fifth and deciding game 1-0. The following year, Dan took his Senators back to the Central Baseball League Championship Series, sweeping the Amarillo Dillas three games to none.

Currently Dan ranks third all time in independent baseball history with 649 wins, trailing Doug Simunic (865) and Ed Nottle (657). In all, Shwam's teams have made the playoffs 10 times, while winning four league championships, Mohawk Valley, Newburgh, Elmira, and Jackson. The CBL will be his sixth league to manage in, Northern, Northeast, Can-Am, Central, United and the Continental.

In addition to managing, Dan has also spent time as a professional scout with the Florida Marlins, Montreal Expos and Milwaukee Brewers. He was also Special Assignment coach for the Kintetsu Buffaloes of the Japanese Professional League.

Dan, who resides in Salt Lake City, UT with his wife Melody have two children; Brad and Heather. During the off-season, Dan teaches and coaches baseball and basketball at Highland High School. His father Ron McBride is the Athletic Director at Weber State University.

The Alexandria Aces are members of Continental Baseball League, an independent league of eight professional baseball teams located in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana. The Continental League is playing its third season this summer with teams located in Amarillo, Dallas, Laredo, League City (Houston), and San Angelo, Texas; Texarkana, Arkansas; and Alexandria, Louisiana.

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