Kane County Cougars Baseball Announces 2013 Coaching Staff

The Kane County Cougars, now a Chicago Cubs affiliate, announced the coaching staff for the 2013 season.  

Mark Johnson has been named the manager, Ron Villone as pitching coach, and Tom Beyers as hitting coach.

Johnson spent the last two seasons in Boise as manager and led Boise into the Northwest League Championship series last season.  Johnson spent eight seasons as a catcher in the Big Leagues and his first four seasons with the Chicago White Sox.

Villone was the pitching coach for Peoria last season and played for 12 different Major League teams in his career.

Beyers has been a coach or coordinator with the Cubs for more than a decade.  Beyers managed the 2004 Boise franchise to a Northwest League championship in 2004.

RiverHawks Baseball Add Patrick O'Sullivan and Scott Roehl as Coaches

Two former players, Patrick O'Sullivan and Scott Roehl, are back with the RiverHawks, now as coaches. 

Patrick O'Sullivan was 13th on the active minor-league home run list retired after 12 seasons playing professional baseball to become Rockford's hitting coach for the 2011 season.  In his final season Patrick hit 13 homers, two shy of the RiverHawks record.

Scott Roehl accepted the RiverHawks pitching coach position and also announced his retirement as a player.  Roehl saved 18 games which is a team record for the RiverHawks.  Roehl closed out his playing career with a 28-27 record and 56 saves.

Casey Kopitzke Returns to Manage the Peoria Chiefs for 2011

The Chicago Cubs and Peoria Chiefs announced that Casey Kopitzke will return to manage the Chiefs for a second season.  Also announced was the addition of pitching coach Jeff Fassero, and hitting coach Ricardo Medina along with athletic trainer A.J. Larson.

Kopitzke, a Green Bay native, was drafted by the Cubs in in 1999 out of the University of Wisconsin.  Overall Kopitzke has spent 12 years in the Cubs organization as a player, coach and manager.

Fassero, a Sprinfield IL native, attended Springfield Griffin High School and Lincoln Land College, spent 16 years in professional baseball.  This is Jeff's second season as a coach in the Cubs organization as last year he was with the Boise Hawks.

Medina makes his second appearance as the Chiefs hitting coach, last time in 2005.  Medina signed with the Cubs in 1989 and played in Peoria from 1991-1993.

A.J. Larson was also in Boise last season with Fassero which was his first season with in the Cubs organization.  Larson graduated from Northern Illinois University.

Pete LaCock Joins the Schaumburg Flyers Baseball as Hitting Coach

Baseball in Illinois News


The Schaumburg Flyers have announced that former Chicago Cub Pete LaCock will take over as hitting coach for the 2010 season. LaCock, a former 1st round pick of the Chicago Cubs, and a nine year Major League veteran will be responsible for the team's hitting as well as coaching third base.


"Pete is a great additional to my staff with his experience and approach to the game.” Field Manager Mike Busch stated.

LaCock comes to Schaumburg via Tucson Arizona where he held a similar position with the Tucson Toros of the Golden Baseball League in 2009. "My sole focus is to help in any way to bring a Championship to Schaumburg" said LaCock.

Sitting next to Pete LaCock on the bench in 2010 and taking over the pitching coach duties will be former Schaumburg Flyer Drew Dickinson. Dickinson, who holds the all-time record for wins as a pitcher at the University of Illinois, looks to help the Flyers improve from a 5th place finish in team pitching from 2009.

The view from the dugout at Alexian Field is not an uncommon one for Drew as he spent the 2007 season with the Schaumburg Flyers. After his playing days were over, Drew’s passion of coaching took control as he became an assistant coach for the University of Illinois before finding his way back to Alexian Field.

Come talk to Mike Busch about his new staff at the 2010 Winterfest being held at Alexian Field on February 17th. Beat the winter chill during this tropical themed event featuring a Jimmy Buffett cover band, Hawaiian dancers, a tiki bar, the Firefly Dance Team and complimentary food and drinks should make the night unforgettable. RSVP by sending an email to info@flyersbaseball.com or by calling 847-891-2255.

Normal CornBelters add Josh Patton as Hitting Coach

From Baseball in Illinois News Sources

The Normal CornBelters announced the addition of Josh Patton to the coaching staff. Patton brings over 12 years of professional baseball experience to the organization. He spent his baseball career in the Northern League and the American Association with the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks, Sioux City Explores, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Lincoln Saltdogs, and Sioux Falls Canaries. Patton currently holds the Northern league records for the most games played in a season (96), putouts in a season (219), assists in a season (308), total chances in a season (545) and double plays in a season (76).”


I am excited to be working with Manager Hal Lanier on this new professional baseball team” said Patton. “Coming to Normal will be something special for me. I hope to mentor the players and give them guidance from my experience in professional baseball.”

A former All-Star infielder, Patton finished his career with a .308 batting average, 88 home runs 624 RBI, and 75 stolen bases. He won the American Association championship with Sioux Falls in 2008.