NL Gary SouthShore Railcats

RailCats Welcome New Hitting Coach

Published on March 20, 2007 under Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release


Gary, Ind. - The Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club announced today that Brian Nelson has been hired as hitting coach. Nelson replaces Andy Haines, who accepted the managerial position with the Windy City Thunderbolts following the 2006 season.

Nelson has spent seven years as an NCAA Division III head coach at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Rockford College, posting a career record of 180-115 (.610). He also owns and operates the Nelson Baseball School in Marietta, Georgia.

Nelson ranks second on UW-Stevens Point's all-time coaching victories list and was named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in 2002. He had winning records in each of his four seasons there and made two trips to the Division III tournament.

Nelson also earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at UW-Stevens Point and was a four-year starter in centerfield for the Pointers. He led all of Division III in doubles as a senior, setting a school record that still ranks 11th on the all-time Division III single-season list. He led the Pointers to the Division III World Series in 1997.

At Rockford College, Nelson coached Steve Ketter to the NCAA Division III home run title. Ketter, a catcher, attended spring training with the RailCats in 2006 and has been reacquired by the RailCats after playing for Windy City last season.

RailCats manager Greg Tagert issued the following statement:

"I have known since last fall that the most difficult person I would have to replace all year would be Andy Haines. Brian has many of the same attributes that Andy brought to us. He has experience running a club, he has been successful in that role, and he has great intensity, enthusiasm, and passion. Each time I spoke to him, that passion came through. His past experience as a successful head coach was something that stood out."

The RailCats currently have 14 players under contract for 2007. They include pitchers David Byard, Tony Cogan, Steve Edsall, Travis Kerber, Brad Mumma, and Stephen Spragg; catchers Steve Ketter and Jose Yepez; infielders Eric McNamee, Jay Pecci, and Tanner Townsend; and outfielders Jermaine Allensworth, Dale Mueller, and Mike Reese. The RailCats also maintain contractual rights to 12 other players who have not yet signed for 2007. They include pitchers Willie Glen, Josh Habel, Kris Regas, Jason Shelley, and Pete Sikaras; catcher Steve Booth; infielders Jarrod Patterson and Alex Taylor; and outfielders Mike Coles, Steve Haake, Andy Rohleder and Kevin White.

The RailCats open the 2007 season on May 17th at U. S. Steel Yard against the Winnipeg Goldeyes. RailCats 2007 ticket packages and merchandise are available at U. S. Steel Yard or by calling (219) 882-2255.

More Info: The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a Professional Minor League Baseball Team serving Northwest Indiana and Chicago's south suburbs. For the last three years, they have been chosen "Best Local Spectator Sport" by Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly. Their 96 game schedule includes 47 home games at beautiful U. S. Steel Yard, an award-winning 6,000 seat state-of-the-art facility located next to the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) with easy access to I-65.

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Northern League Stories from March 20, 2007


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