WhiteWings Promote Balbuena to Manager

Published on June 30, 2008 under United League Baseball (ULB)
Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings News Release


Harlingen, TX - The Harlingen WhiteWings have promoted Caleb Balbunea from pitching coach to field manager effective immediately.

"We made the decision based upon our performance in the first half, despite the win last night, that we just weren't performing to the expectations that we had come into this season with. Therefore, we decided to make a change with the field manager." General Manager Dave Kost said.

Balbuena, who is also the closer, was in his first year as pitching coach.

"I think he'll do fine. He's been in the game for 12 years. He certainly understands it. He gets along well with the players. He's got high expectations. He expects guys to work and go out and do the things they need to do to get better on a daily basis," Kost said.

This season, Balbuena is 0-1 with seven saves and a 1.08 ERA. He has struck out 20 in 16.2 innings.

Balbuena was a 26th round draft pick of the Seattle Mariners in 1998. He spent four years in A-ball before moving to Independent baseball. Balbuena got one more shot at A-ball with Modesto in 2005, where he posted a 2.65 ERA in 12 games - striking out 17 and walking four in 15 innings - but he returned to independent ball the next year.

A hard thrower, Balbuena takes strength and conditioning very seriously. He is also knowledgeable about the mechanics of pitching and hitting.

Balbuena was born in Santa Cruz, CA on March 23, 1977 and currently resides in Tuolumne, California during the off-season. The right-hander attended Long Beach State.

"I think this is a great opportunity, being a young manager," Balbuena said.

Balbuena replaces Al Gallagher, who compiled a 16-30 record in his first season with the WhiteWings.

"Al has more than 40 years in baseball. He is a guy I will be talking to just to get game tendencies and to learn more," Balbuena said.

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United League Baseball Stories from June 30, 2008


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