JackHammers sign hitting coach
Published on January 26, 2006 under Northern League (NL)
Joliet JackHammers News Release
JOLIET, IL - Adding to their 2006 coaching staff, the Joliet JackHammers have signed Ira Smith as the team's hitting coach. Smith, who is entering his third season as a coach in the professional ranks, joins a coaching staff that already includes manager Hal Lanier and pitching coach Jim Boynewicz. The JackHammers fifth anniversary season is scheduled to begin on Friday, May 26th at 7:05 P.M. versus the Edmonton Cracker-Cats at Silver Cross Field in Joliet's City Center.
"The JackHammers ownership and management run a first class operation, and I am very excited about being a member of this organization," said Smith, who is reuniting with Lanier for the first time since the 2002 season. "I have to thank Hal for wanting me to be a member of this coaching staff."
Smith spent two seasons with the Lincoln Saltdogs (American Association of Independent Baseball), first as bench coach in 2004 and moving to hitting coach in 2005. The Saltdogs had an impressive offensive resume last season which included three Northern League records: hits in a season (1043), doubles (220) and total bases (1612). In addition, the Saltdogs amassed a batting average of .302, with 603 runs scored, 17 triples, 105 home runs and 558 RBI.
Smith was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1990 draft. He played from Single-A to Triple-A with the Dodgers, Padres and Tigers organizations. He played for current JackHammers manager Lanier in 2002 with the Winnipeg Goldeyes (Northern League) where he hit .308 with nine home runs and 12 stolen bases. He currently resides in Inglewood, CA, and attended University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
"I am extremely happy to add Ira to our coaching staff as the new hitting coach, and I really think he will be a great addition to our team." said Lanier. "In addition to working with our hitters, he will also work with our outfielders and base runners being very qualified in both areas."
LOOSE GRAVEL: JackHammer Kyle Logan recently appeared as an extra in the Disney motion picture "Glory Road." The movie tells the inspiring true story of the underdog Texas Western basketball team, with historys first all African American starting line up of players, who took the country by storm, surprisingly winning the 1966 NCAA tournament title. He batted .258 with 89 hits and 39 RBI in 2005.
The JackHammers have full season tickets, mini-plan ticket packages and a variety of group ticket packages currently available for the 2006 season. For additional information, call 815-726-2255 (BALL), visit the team's website at www.jackhammerbaseball.com, send an e-mail to info@jackhammerbaseball.com or visit the team's offices at Silver Cross Field.
Northern League Stories from January 26, 2006
- Flyers to put play-by-play jobs on eBay - Schaumburg Flyers
- JackHammers sign hitting coach - Joliet JackHammers
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