Pacifics Hire Dan DiPace as Manager in 2014
Published on December 11, 2013 under North American League (NAmL)
San Rafael Pacifics News Release
SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - The 2013 Pacific Association Division Champion, San Rafael Pacifics, have named Dan DiPace to be the Pacifics' skipper in 2014, Pacifics President and General Manager Mike Shapiro announced on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.
"After an exhaustive search, and having spoken to a number of colleagues in both affiliated and independent ball, I was continually referred to the same name," said Shapiro. "After speaking with Danny, I agreed with everyone's assessment that he would be a perfect fit for the Pacifics. He perfectly combines knowledge of the game and understanding of the team's place in the community and, by the way, he's quite a character."
"I am sure that Marin County will come to embrace him."
Born in White Plains, New York, and signed as a shortstop by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1963, DiPace was the first selection in the Rule 5 Minor League Draft by the Minnesota Twins in 1965. As a player, DiPace led the Midwest League in hitting (.333), hits and runs scored for the Wisconsin Rapids Twins, beating out two dozen future major leaguers; including Joe Rudi, Sal Bando and Nate Colbert. He led the Carolina League in hitting in 1966, batting .330, beating out teammate Rod Carew, but did not qualify for the batting title due to time lost during military duty.
"I'm thankful for this opportunity," said DiPace. "I'm looking forward to putting together a team that the community can be proud of and bring home another championship."
"This is the community's team, it isn't an affiliation that answers to a big league club. This team belongs to the fans and the city. That's the beauty of Indy ball; we're here for the community, fans, and because we love the game."
DiPace joined the Montreal Expos from 1985 to 1991 as an associate scout, and then continued his scouting career with the Atlanta Braves, beginning in 1996.
DiPace brings a wealth of coaching experience to San Rafael. He began in 2000 as a first base and hitting coach for the Aberdeen Arsenal (Atlantic League), with stops in 2002 with the Can-Am League's Allentown Ambassadors and Golden Baseball League's Long Beach Armada in 2005. DiPace was on the 2008 Golden Baseball League Champion, Orange County Flyers' coaching staff as a first base coach. He continued with the GBL as the bench coach for the Victoria Seals and St. George Roadrunners, while also in charge of player procurement. DiPace was one of the founders of the California Winter League, in Palm Springs, Calif., and was part of the 2011 and 2012 Palm Springs POWER Southern California Collegiate Baseball League (SCCBL) Championship coaching staff under Harry Gurley. He most recently spent the summer coaching a college instructional league in Orange County, Calif.
DiPace is the fourth manager in Pacifics' history, taking over for player-turned-manager, Ryan Priddy. Priddy, who guided the Pacifics to a Pacific Association Division Championship in 2013, will not return after expressing a desire to continue his playing career in 2014.
North American League Stories from December 11, 2013
- Pacifics Hire Dan DiPace as Manager in 2014 - San Rafael Pacifics
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
