RailCats hire pitching coach
Published on February 2, 2004 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
GARY â The Gary SouthShore RailCats (Northern League) have hired Wally Widelski as pitching coach, the team announced today.
Widelski, a native of South Holland, Ill., attended Thornwood High School and the University of Notre Dame. Widelski, 28, has previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Notre Dame, Bethel College, and Northern Illinois University.
"This is a great opportunity for me on both a personal and professional level," Widelski said. "Being from the south suburbs of Chicago, the chance to work 20 minutes down the road is very exciting. I've also had the opportunity to coach at the collegiate level and had success, and the chance to elevate that success to the professional level is exhilarating."
At Notre Dame, Widelski was part of a program that earned a No. 1 national ranking in 2001 and advanced to the College World Series in 2002.
"I think we've hired a quality pitching coach in Wally. We've bettered ourselves," RailCats manager Garry Templeton said. "Wally will bring a sense of confidence to the pitching staff, with his knowledge of the mechanics of pitching. Knowing that they have a bright guy who's willing to spend time, work with them, and talk with them, will really instill confidence in our pitchers."
In addition to his coaching duties, Widelski will also work as a sales executive in the RailCats front office. At Notre Dame, Widelski assisted in the development of the Fighting Irish baseball program's season ticket campaign, served as the promotions coordinator for the nationally ranked women's basketball program, and was the coordinator of special projects in Notre Dame's office of alumni community service. Concurrently to his Notre Dame Duties, Widelski served as the bench coach for the Chicago Clout, a National Amateur Baseball Federation team that won a national championship in 2001 and made five consecutive NABF World Series appearances.
Widelski served as an assistant coach at Bethel College (Mishawaka, Ind.) in 2000 and at Northern Illinois University from 1997-99. While at NIU, Widelski obtained a master's degree in sport management.
As an undergraduate, Widelski played for the Notre Dame baseball program from 1994-97, helping the Irish to compile a .698 winning percentage (171-74) during that span, and to earn three regular-season conference titles and two trips to the NCAA tournament. The crafty lefthander shouldered an expanded role as a senior in 1997 and responded by winning all three of his decisions, with a 5.89 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 36.2 innings pitched.
At Thornwood, Widelski was named to the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches All-State team in 1993, and was a member of Thornwood's 1991 Illinois Class AA state championship club.
---
The Gary SouthShore RailCats are the professional minor league baseball team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. The RailCats' 96-game Northern League schedule in 2004 includes 48 home games at U. S. Steel Yard, a charming, state-of-the-art ballpark, conveniently located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90), with easy access from I-65, I-80/94 and the Chicago Skyway. U. S. Steel Yard has been named "Best New Ballpark" by Chicago Magazine. For information about season tickets, mini-season ticket plans, group outings, and creative sponsorship packages, call the RailCats at (219) 882-BALL, or visit the RailCats web site at www.railcatsbaseball.com.
Northern League Stories from February 2, 2004
- X's Add Shortstop - Sioux City Explorers
- RailCats hire pitching coach - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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.
