SAL1 Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

Kannapolis Intimidators Introduce 2010 Coaching Staff

Published on January 12, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Kannapolis Cannon Ballers News Release


KANNAPOLIS, NC - On the heels of a second-half championship performance in his first season as a Manager, Ernie Young returns to lead the Kannapolis Intimidators for the second straight season. He will be joined again by Pitching Coach Larry Owens, Hitting Coach Greg Briley, Athletic Trainer Kevin Pillifant, and the lone newcomer, Strength and Conditioning Coach Jeremie Imbus.

Young, 40, spent 17 seasons in professional baseball within nine different organizations, ending in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox Triple-A affiliate Charlotte Knights. Upon retiring from his playing career, Young was the Hitting Coach at Rookie-A Great Falls before becoming the manager of the Intimidators in 2009. Last season Young enjoyed great success as the Intimidators manager and beyond. He led the team to an 82-57 record, the best in the South Atlantic League, and a second half Northern Division Championship. Young also was the Hitting Coach for the USA Baseball World Cup team which won the 2009 IBAF World Cup. Young also has an Olympic Gold Medal from the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney.

Owens will be spending his fourth season with the Intimidators as the team's Pitching Coach. After an extensive college coaching career, Owens beginning his professional coaching career with the San Diego Surf Dawgs in the Arizona Winter League in 2005, Owens was then a scout for the Boston Red Sox the following year. In 2009, Owens mentored one of the most dominating pitching staffs in the South Atlantic League. The Intimidators finished second overall in ERA at 3.24, just one hundredth behind the league leaders. His staff included the league leader in wins Charles Leesman (13) and the first-half strikeout king Dexter Carter.

Briley, along with Young, will be spending his second season in Kannapolis as the team's hitting coach. A native of North Carolina, Briley played six seasons in the Major Leagues with both the Seattle Mariners and the Florida Marlins. In 1993, Briley played on the original Florida Marlins team. Under his teaching, the Intimidators finished in the top half in 2009 in most all offensive categories and maintained a team batting average five points higher than the league average.

The Intimidators open the 2010 season on Thursday, April 8th against the Rome Braves (Atlanta Braves) at 7:05 PM at Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium. For more information call the Intimidators front office at 704.932.FANS (3267) or visit www.IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from January 12, 2010


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