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Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings Announce New Manager

April 27, 2013 - United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


The Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings are pleased to announce the hiring of Chris Paterson as their manager for the 2013 United League season.

Paterson is no stranger to independent baseball having managed the past three seasons in the Pecos and Continental Baseball Leagues. He earned Manager-of-the-Year awards twice; once in the Continental League in 2010 and another in the Pecos League in 2011 while leading the Roswell Invaders to a league championship.

Paterson piloted the White Sands Pupfish of the Pecos League this past season. He was chosen to manage in that league's All-Star Game the past two seasons.

He also has college coaching experience having served as pitching coach at Pacifica in 2010.

Paterson played collegiality at North Dakota State University (Division-1, Summit League) where he was named Ting Collegiate National Player of the Week after throwing five innings of a combined no-hitter against Creighton in 2008. After graduating he played in multiple independent leagues including the Pecos, Golden, and Continental League where he was named an All-Star. Paterson also has experience playing professionally overseas where he still has many contacts after a successful career with playing stops in Germany, France, Italy and Australia.

The Yucaipa, California native graduated with his bachelors degree in behavioral studies from North Dakota State University and his masters degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University-Irvine. He currently plans on pursuing a PhD.

Paterson's ties to talent is the key to his success. He was director of player procurement the past two seasons in the Pecos League. Additionally, he has managed in the California Winter League, Arizona Winter League, and this past season in the Texas Winter League in Harlingen.

Paterson is responsible for helping to sign over 200 players to pro contracts in his managerial career. In the past Paterson served as an associate scout for the Tampa Bay Rays organization, helping to run their elite scout team where dozens of top prospects have been drafted from. Paterson currently serves as a scout in the Miami Marlins organization.

Paterson has begun to assemble a team of young talented players to play for the White Wings. "We have some pretty good talent coming in," he said. "I wanted to bring players with experience that also have a desire to win and advance."

The team will have a different look than previous seasons with three former Texas Longhorns players on the roster; Jordan Etier, Paul Montalbano, and Kevin Lusson . Paterson actively sought the Texas players to the WhiteWings' roster.

"I really look forward to getting into Harlingen, starting spring training and meeting with the community. I had the privilege to spend a month there in February in the Winter League and met some great people and got a really good welcome from the fans there."

The White Wings will start spring training on May 14th, coinciding with the players' arrival. Rio Grande Valley will play exhibition games against the defending champion Edinburg Roadrunners, with the season opening up May 23rd at home at Harlingen Field against the San Angelo Colts.

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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.

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