Hill Passes the Coaching Baton

Published on March 20, 2020 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilson Tobs News Release


Wilson, NC - With the 2020 summer season fast approaching, the Wilson Tobs' organization would like to introduce our superstar coaching staff to our Wilson Tobs fans! The Tobs are excited to bring back Coach Harry Markotay in the upgrade role as Head Coach. Alongside Markotay will be Assistant Coach, and Pro-Ball player, Devan Watts. Both Markotay and Watts have played and coached under Wilson Tobs prior head coach, Bryan Hill. Both coaches look to build on last season's success and can't wait to compete for the championship with a well-balanced powerhouse Tobs team.

Coach Harry Markotay was the 1st base coach and assistant coach for the Tobs in 2019, helping the Tobs win back to back North Division Championships in the Coastal Plain League (CPL). Markotay also worked with Hill to bring home the 1st half and 2nd half North Division Title for the Tobs. Hailing from Hillsboro, Missouri, Coach Markotay spent his college career at St. Charles Community College (2015 and 2016) and Chowan University (2017 and 2018). He graduated with a B.S. in Exercise Science during his senior year where he led the team in batting average (.405) and hits (62) while also hitting 8 home runs and picking up 12 stolen bases. Not stopping there, he also showed a 1.129 OPS, .673 Slugging Percentage and .456 OBP. He was named to the CIAA All-Tournament Team in 2017 as well as All ICAA First Team & NCCSIA First Team All-State in 2018. Adding to his resume in his professional career, Coach Markotay was an assistant Coach at Chowan University (NCAA Div. 2) during the 2018-2019 season. During his time there he worked with hitters, outfielders, infielders, assisted in recruiting, and had his hands in field preparation/maintenance. During the Fall of 2019, he was the Graduate Assistant Coach at the University of Dallas (NCAA Div. 3). In Dallas he coached third base all while, working with hitters and outfielders, assisting in recruiting, designing strength and conditioning programs for the team, and working on development programs. This spring Markotay has been the Assistant Coach at Jefferson College (NJCAA Div. 1), while also working with hitters and infielders, assisting with recruiting, developing strength and conditioning programs for all position players, and coaching third base. This season Coach Markotay has an expectation of success for the Tobs while also pushing goals from last season further. "I would love for us to bring the Petitt Cup home to Wilson, as well as for our guys to be sent back to their programs as better baseball players while also having a great summer baseball experience". Coach Markotay is excited to be named the Head Coach of the 2020 Wilson Tobs and is excited to be a part of the atmosphere throughout the town of Wilson and Historic Fleming stadium.

New to the Tobs coaching staff this year, from Mooresville, NC, is Assistant Coach Devan Watts. Coach Watts will be acting as the pitching coach during the 2020 summer season. Watts started his college career at Tusculum University, where he was selected for the All South Atlantic Conference First Team in 2015. During that summer he pitched in the CPL for the Edenton Steamers, leading them to a Coastal Plain League Championship Title. Watts continued to play after being Drafted in the 17th Round by the Atlanta Braves in 2016. He then played minor league ball with the Danville Braves andsingle A Rome Braves, picking up a South Atlantic League Championship. In 2017 Coach Watts played for the Single A Florida Fire Frogs where he was named a Florida State League All Star. Moving on to 2018, Watts played for the Frogs, then signed with the Chicago White Sox, which moved him to the Single A Winston Salem Dash. Coach Watts is looking forward to using his pro-ball pitching experience to help the Tobs make another championship run this year and believes his team can go the distance. "When I got the opportunity to join the Wilson Tobs, I was very excited. The Tobs have always been a power CPL team and I'm look forward to bringing my pitching knowledge to the Tobs organization". The Tobs family can't wait for Coach Watts to arrive in Wilson, NC and hope his ability to obtain championships rubs off on the 2020 Wilson Tobs.

Both coaches are excited and ready to go for the 2020 season, and we know our fans share their excitement. Just like both of our coaches, we are looking forward to watching another powerful Tobs team do big things and march their way toward that CPL championship.

The Wilson Tobs home opener, Band Jam, and Firework Show for the 2020 season is Sunday, May 24th @ 6:15 PM. The 2nd Firework Show of the season will be Thursday, July 2nd @ 6:15 PM and a 3rd fireworks show is TBA. Season tickets and ticket packages are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (252) 291-8627, or by visiting www.wilsontobs.com

The Wilson Tobs enter their 24th season as a founding member of the Coastal Plain League. The upcoming season for the Tobs will see an expanded community outreach effort, increased participation in helping the less fortunate, a Pettit Cup Championship team, and more exciting entertainment for the Wilson Community. We would like to dedicate each successful season to the Wilson Community, Coastal Plain League Organization, Host Families, Corporate Partners, and the Dedicated Fans throughout the city of Wilson. The Wilson Tobs have played host to over 100 alumni taken in the draft and have produced a dozen players who have gone on to play in the MLB, including Cy Young & MVP winner Justin Verlander.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from March 20, 2020


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