Verplancke Takes SteepleCats Reins In 2008

- February 06, 2008

NORTH ADAMS – The North Adams SteepleCats of the New England Collegiate Baseball League have hired Jeff Verplancke, 2007 pitching coach, as the manager for the 2008 season.

The 'Cats followed a similar strategy in 2006 when Laz Gutierrez was hired as manager after serving as the 'Cats pitching coach in 2007.

Verplancke, currently the head baseball coach and special education teacher at Colony (Calif.) High School, resides in Corona, Calif., with his wife, Carrie, and two daughters, Ava and Jenna. He graduated from California State University at Los Angeles in 1999 with a bachelor of science in criminal justice. He then earned his teaching credential in physical education from Chapman University in 2005 and will complete his master's in teaching from Chapman later this spring.

Verplancke brings considerable professional baseball experience to North Adams. Drafted in the second round of the 1998 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners, and again by the San Francisco Giants in the 11th round of the 1999 draft, Verplancke's professional baseball career spanned four organizations and five years, including several long stints with the Fresno Grizzlies, the Giants AAA team.

During one of his stints with the Giants, Verplancke played alongside Williamstown native Tim Flaherty who also played several seasons in the Giants minor league system.

Verplancke's 2007 pitching staff finished third in the NECBL with an ERA of 3.05 and first in saves (15). The 2007 team recorded a 23-19 record, which tied as the second best record in the 'Cats 7-year history.

"I was very impressed with how Jeff managed the pitching staff. Not only did the players improve and learn something from him, but he made all the right moves from the dugout during the season and maximized each of the kids ability," said general manager Sean McGrath.

"There were many factors that made it an easy decision to come back to North Adams," said Verplancke. "The organization and community lend so much support for the players and coaching staff. They really make it a seamless transition away from home. Another factor was the receptiveness of the young men on last year’s team. Bringing 23 different personalities from across the nation and getting them to mesh for a two-month summer ball stint is not easy. I look forward to that challenge, with the hopes of bringing North Adams a NECBL championship.

“The fans can expect to watch a team that will compete hard every night, press the issue, and make things happen,” he said.

When asked about his favorite memories, he was quick to add, "We created many memories here last summer. The more prominent ones would be the no-hitter Nick McCully pitched, the Team USA game, and the All-Star festivities."

"Jeff's hiring continues with our philosophy of providing one of the best coaching staffs in summer collegiate baseball. He not only understands what it takes to excel at the collegiate level and make an impact at the professional ranks, but he proved to the organization last season that he can relate well with the players and teach them the game of baseball," said McGrath. "Anyone who came in contact with Jeff was very impressed and we are quite excited to have him representing our organization throughout the NECBL and community"

After taking a closer look at Verplancke background, one may be interested to learn about a few trivia facts about Verplancke. In September 2002, he was traded from the Giants to the Cubs for Bill Meuller and $400,000. A year later, Meuller then went on to win the American League batting title for Boston Red Sox in 2003. Verplancke’s brother, Joe, was the first college player (CSU-Los Angeles) ever drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks when he was selected in the 8th round of their inaugural draft in 1996. Verplancke’s cousin is PGA tour member Scott Verplank, who won the 2007 Byron Nelson Championship.

“Not only do players and interns come to North Adams to gain experience to advance their career aspirations, our coaches arrive in North Adams to gain valuable experience in hopes of furthering their profession. If you look back at a few of our previous manager’s like Marc Pavao and Laz Gutierrez, their careers advanced after leading the SteepleCats organization. Pavao is in his third season as the head coach at Barry University in Florida and has his program ranked 35th in the preseason Division II poll. Gutierrez is in his second season as the Red Sox scout for southern Florida and also served as pitching coach of the Lowell Spinners in the New York Penn League last summer. We are very optimistic that Jeff will follow in their footsteps and continue to advance his coaching career and feel very fortunate to have Jeff lead the SteepleCats in 2008.”

In case you haven’t purchased your season ticket for the upcoming season, please visit one of the seven local businesses listed here to purchase your full-season ticket or 10-pack ticket. The Full Season Family Plan is $100; Full Season Individual Plan is $70; Ten-Pack Family Plan is $60; and the Ten-Pack Individual Plan is $45.

Tickets are sold at all of the following locations: Adams: Val's Variety; Clarksburg: Cross Road Variety; North Adams: Man’s World and Moulton's General Store; Stamford, VT: Billmont's Country Store, and in Williamstown at Angelina's Submarine Shop and St. Pierre's Barber Shop.

The 2008 season is right around the corner. Team USA will return for their third visit to North Adams to play the SteepleCats on Sunday, June 15. The SteepleCats will play their home opener on Friday, June 6, against the Torrington Twisters.

Game time is 7 p.m. at Joe Wolfe Field; gates open at 6. For more information on the roster, schedule and other news, please visit www.steeplecats.com