JackHammers Chisel Coaching Staff
Published on May 8, 2003 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL â The Joliet JackHammers now have a pitching coach, bullpen coach and bullpen catcher. Thursday was the media's first opportunity to meet the 2003 JackHammers including the new members of the field staff. Thursday also included a team orientation and physicals. The JackHammers begin the 2003 season at 7:05 PM on Friday, May 23 versus the Gary (IN) SouthShore RailCats at Silver Cross Field in downtown Joliet.
Last year's bench coach, Mike Pinto, is this year's pitching coach for the JackHammers. This season is Pinto's first as a pitching coach in the professional ranks. In addition to being the JackHammers pitching coach, Pinto is also the head coach at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL. The 2003 season was his first in that role after three seasons as the pitching coach. As the JackHammers begin spring drills tomorrow (Friday), Pinto's OCC squad continues in the Junior College playoffs.
Pinto's pitching staff at OCC this year was ranked first in Region IV JUCO, the division with the most teams in the NJCAA, with a 1.99 ERA as a team (81 earned runs, 105 walks allowed and 305 strikeouts in 366 innings pitched). Also this year, Pinto's OCC squad is 39-and-11 with 10 shutouts and posted the most wins in school history. Mike, 50, resides in Schaumburg, IL with his wife Lynne, and they have two sons: Michael (23) and Stephen (18).
Dan DeCaprio, the pitching coach at Lewis University in Romeoville, IL, is now the JackHammers bullpen coach and begins his first season coaching in pro baseball. He has been the pitching coaching at LU since 1982 and has had 63 pitchers sign pro contracts. By the numbers, DeCaprio has coached college for 22 years and high school for nine years (Marion Catholic and Crete-Monee). LU was one of Baseball America's Top 5 NCAA Division II programs of the 1990s. Dan, 52, resides in Manhatten, IL with his wife Carol, and they have a son: Scott (22) and two daughters: Carrie (20) and Darcie (18).
Mike Kinkin, 34, is the JackHammers new bullpen catcher. He played college baseball locally at the University of St. Francis in Joliet at the same time that JackHammers hitting coach Les Norman played there. Norman will also be the team's third base coach and DeCaprio will also coach first base. Of course, Matt Nokes remains as the manager.
The JackHammers have individual game tickets, full season tickets, mini-plans (five and nine games) and group packages available for purchase. Group packages include luxury suites, DesRochers Spa & Party Patio (hot tub), picnics, Dream Team and Dairy Queen Birthday Bashes. For more information, contact the JackHammers ticket office at 815-726-BALL (2255), by e-mail at info@jackhammerbaseball.com, visit the ticket office at Silver Cross Field or visit www.jackhammerbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from May 8, 2003
- JackHammers Chisel Coaching Staff - Joliet JackHammers
- Flyers Announce 2003 Promotional Schedule - Schaumburg Flyers
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