Northwoods Wisconsin Rapids Rafters

Rafters Field Manager John Martin Steps Down

Published on July 27, 2011 under Northwoods League (Northwoods)
Wisconsin Rapids Rafters News Release


Wisconsin Rapids, WI-July 27th, 2011. The Rafters announced today that field manager John Martin will step down from his position with the team following Thursday's game against Green Bay at Historic Witter Field. Martin is leaving the team to take the head coaching position at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas.

Assistant Coach Jake Martin, John's younger brother, will take over the Manager position for the rest of the season. Chad Lee and John Hessel will remain as assistants to the younger Martin. Jake Martin played baseball at Barton County Community College and MidAmerica Nazarene University before transferring to Emporia State where he played from 2009-2011. Last year, the 25 year old Martin coached the Emporia American Legion baseball team during the summer season. From 2006-2008 he was responsible for maintaining a sports complex while also spending time coaching summer baseball.

"We are very appreciative of everything that Coach Martin has contributed to the Rafters this summer," commented Rafters general manager Liz Kern. "On behalf of the entire organization, we wish John the best with his new position."

During Martin's tenure in Wisconsin Rapids, he helped lead the team to the franchise's first two three-game winning streaks (July 9th-July 11th and July 13th-July 15th), a franchise-best start to a half with a 7-4 record to begin the second half, and has had the team in first place on two separate occasions during the second half this season. Heading into Wednesday evening's game in La Crosse, the Rafters were tied for fourth place in the South Division with an 8-10, second-half record.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the town and fans of Wisconsin Rapids this summer," said John Martin. "I hope that our team has brought some fun and excitement to Rapids. I could not have asked for a better place to be in the summer. Thank you to all the fans."

Fans are encouraged to come out to Witter Field on Thursday night to wish Coach Martin well in his final game as Field Manager, when the Rafters take on the Green Bay Bullfrogs at 7:05 PM.

Before guiding the Rafters this summer, John Martin spent the past three seasons as the top assistant at Emporia State University, one of the elite NCAA Division II programs in the country. He worked closely with pitchers and catchers during his tenure at Emporia State, while also being heavily involved with the recruitment of student athletes.

Martin spent the summers of 2009 and 2010 with the Liberal Bee Jays of the Jayhawk Collegiate League, guiding the 2010 team to a National Baseball Congress (NBC) World Series Championship and a 42-13 overall record as the team's manager. He was honored for his efforts by being named the 2010 NBC Manager of the Year.

In 2009 Martin coached for the Bee Jays under former Major League manager Mike Hargrove before taking over the reins as field manager in 2010. Liberal finished third at the NBC World Series in 2009 while posting a 34-20 overall record that summer.

Martin spent three years as a member of the Emporia State Hornets squad and was the 2006 Roger Newell "Most Inspirational Player" Award Winner. During his senior season with the Hornets he hit .303 with 30 RBI and from his catcher position threw out 17 would be base stealers.

Following his senior season he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 24th round of the June Major League Draft. He spent time with both the Gulf Coast Dodgers and the Ogden Raptors where he hit .256 with three RBI and an on-base percentage of .343. In 2008 he played with the Kansas City T-Bones of the Northern League where he hit .257 with three home runs and 30 RBI.

The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters are members of the 16-team summer collegiate Northwoods League. The Rafters will play a 70 game schedule with 35 home games in 2011. Purchase tickets online at raftersbaseball.com, by calling the office at 715-424-5400, or by stopping into Witter Field.

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