Blake Walker to Coach RedWolves
February 4, 2013 - Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Florence RedWolves News Release
The Florence RedWolves announce that former player and current assistant coach with NAIA school Texas Wesleyan University, Blake Walker will be the head coach for the 2013 season. Walker will replace former player and 2012 head coach, Jared Barkdoll, who has decided to pursue opportunities outside baseball, for the upcoming summer season.
"We certainly will miss Jared, but understand his situation and wish only the best for him.ÃÂ On the other hand, I can't think of a better coach to take over our team.ÃÂ Blake was a great player for the Red Wolves, and I know he'll be a great coach for us." Kevin Barth, team president
"It was a shock and we hate to lose Jared, but we understand you have to make some life changing decisions sometimes, we wish him all the best with his change in career direction. He is and will always be a big part of the RedWolves family, especially since he was the first former player to serve as a head coach for us." "But we lucked up and were able to hire another former player to come in and pick up the torch for what we hope to be a very successful 2013 season, in Blake Walker. Blake and Jared played together on the 2008 team that made to the league championship game and we expect him to have the same drive and fire that Jared did to make that final step and win the championship with the RedWolves." "Jared has agreed to continue in a consulting capacity with Blake to get him up to speed on the roster signees to this point, about coaching in the CPL and about the new ballpark that we play in at Francis Marion. This should make for a smooth transition since they played together and that Blake has been involved with our organization before and knows how we operate and what we expect out of our team on and off the field." Jamie Young, GM
Walker played his college ball at Texas Wesleyan and got into coaching with the team after he graduated. He is in his third season with the Texas Wesleyan, he lives in Grand Prairie TX and is married and has a son. Walker played outfield for the RedWolves in 2008 and was a member of the American League All Star team. He led the 34 win RedWolves team in hitting with a .310 average, 10 doubles, 6 triples, 32 RBI's and was 12-12 in stolen bases. After being an All American with Richland County Junior College, Walker joined Texas Wesleyan for his final two seasons where he was an All-RRAC selection and in his two seasons compiled a .375 average with 21 home runs and 104 RBI's.
The Florence RedWolves are a proud member of the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Celebrating its 17th season in 2013, the CPL features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 57 alums - including 2011 AL MVP and Cy Young winner Justin Verlander - make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to friend us on Facebook (at www.facebook.com/coastalplainleague) and follow us via Twitter (as CPLBaseball).
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Coastal Plain League Stories from February 4, 2013
- Blake Walker to Coach RedWolves - Florence RedWolves
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