Kane County Cougars Announce 2010 Field Staff
January 6, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Kane County Cougars News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars, in conjunction with the parent club Oakland Athletics, have announced the coaching staff for the 2010 season - the 20th year of Cougars baseball. A familiar face returns to the dugout this season as Chicagoland native Aaron Nieckula, who managed the 2006-08 Cougars teams, returns to Kane County as skipper. Nieckula spent last season as manager of the Stockton Ports, another Class-A affiliate of the A's system.
Nieckula compiled a 214-202 record in his three seasons as Cougars manager, including the '06 Western Division winning squad that advanced to the Midwest League Championship Series. Prior to '06, Nieckula held the Cougars' hitting coach position during the 2004-05 seasons. In either a managerial or coaching role, Nieckula has developed 20 former Cougars who have gone on to reach the Major Leagues including Cliff Pennington, Tom Everidge, Travis Buck, Vin Mazzaro, Trevor Cahill and 2009 American League Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey.
"I'm very excited to be coming back home and managing in Kane County again," said Nieckula. "Working with a great front office, fantastic fans, and a renovated facility I have not been a part of yet, it's a good situation."
Nieckula, a native of Stickney, was drafted by Oakland in the 22nd round of the 1998 June Draft as a catcher from the University of Illinois. He spent five years as a catcher in the Oakland (1998-2001) and San Francisco (2002) minor league systems.
Nieckula's right-hand men in the dugout are both returnees from last season's '09 Cougars staff: pitching coach Jimmy Escalante and hitting coach Haas Pratt. Escalante was integral in developing a young pitching staff that ended the '09 season ranked in the Midwest League's Top 5 in several categories including saves, earned run average and strikeouts. That staff included Tri-Cities native Kenny Smalley, who started the Midwest League All-Star Game last June and Pedro Figueroa, who was recently added to the A's 40-man roster and named A's Minor League Pitcher of the Year. A former minor leaguer himself, Escalante was drafted by Baltimore in 1996 and spent three seasons in the Orioles' farm system before closing his affiliated-baseball career with the Angels' system in 2000.
Pratt begins his third season as Cougars hitting coach. Pratt has been affiliated with the A's as either a player or coach for six seasons and spent the '07 campaign, his last as a player, entirely as a Cougar. Pratt's tutelage last season resulted in four offensive starters named to the Midwest League All-Star team and a fifth Cougar, Grant Desme, that was the only player in professional baseball with 30 home runs and 40 stolen bases in 2009.
A brand-new addition to the Cougars family in 2010 includes athletic trainer Brian "Doc" Thorson, who joins the Cougars from the Stockton Ports staff. Thorson begins his 27th season with the A's and 32nd in professional baseball, including five with the Milwaukee Brewers. Thorson is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse and has served on a championship winning team at Huntsville, West Michigan and Stockton.
Stockton receives Steve Scarsone as manager in 2010. Scarsone, who made his Cougars debut as manager last season, guided the club to a first half Western Division title. Athletic trainer Nate Brooks, who called Kane County home in 2008 and '09, joins Scarsone as members of the Ports staff. *** Cougars tickets for the 2010 season are now on sale - the 20th season of Major League affiliated baseball in Chicagoland. The 2010 home opener is set for Sunday, April 11 at 1 p.m. against the Burlington Bees. Single-game tickets, season tickets and partial-season packages are available by calling (630) 232-8811. Group outings are now available and can include fully-catered events along with a memorable evening of exciting and affordable fun for the entire group.
Despite Opening Day being three months away, Elfstrom Stadium continues to be a busy destination for numerous off-season events including business meetings, formal events and luncheons. The Conference Center, located on Elfstrom Stadium's new upper deck level, can accommodate any type of business seminar or meeting with customizable room layouts, full internet and teleconferencing capabilities, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Those interested can contact the Cougars at (630) 232-8811 or visit www.kccougars.com to learn more.
Midwest League Stories from January 6, 2010
- Kane County Cougars Announce 2010 Field Staff - Kane County Cougars
- Winter Banquet Update - Burlington Bees
- Whitecaps Sophomore Hall Of Fame Class Announced - West Michigan Whitecaps
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