"We're obviously very excited to have his leadership," General Manager Sean McGrath said at the press conference held at the offices of DeRosa Dohoney LLP. "He probably loves baseball more than anybody else in this room."

 

Bosley's passion for both baseball and the community made Bosley a perfect fit, McGrath said. The main role of the president is to find team sponsors.

 

"I think it is important to get as many sponsors as possible and I want to start early," Bosley said. "We want to make sure people have a great time here."

 

Bosley credits McGrath's father — former Drury High baseball coach Tom McGrath — for instilling that passion for baseball. When he was not working in Boston, Bosley went to as many SteepleCats games as possible.

 

"Most everything I learned about baseball I learned from Sean's father," Bosley said. "The SteepleCats have become an integral part of our summers."

 

The 'Cats are entering their 10th season and rank fourth in the New England Collegiate Baseball League in longest tenure, Sean McGrath said. Only Keene, N.H., Danbury, Conn., and Newport, R.I., have had teams longer. Pittsfield has had five teams during that period in various leagues; the Colonials of the Canadian-American League are starting their second season there.

 

"Each year you deepen the commitment from the community and each year that's been getting stronger," NECBL President John DeRosa said. "I see a very long-term relationship here."

 

DeRosa served as team president for seven years before taking the league presidency. City Counciler David Bond took over in 2009 but stepped down to a lesser role on the team’s board of trustees.   

 

"I’ve always wanted to be a baseball magnate," Bosley said. "This is done with a lot of volunteer work but it takes money."
 

Volunteers work year-round to keep the team running, including families that host the college players. A meeting for current and prospective host families is set for Feb. 9, McGrath said. 

 

"It’s not just nine guys on the field playing ball. It takes a lot to run this team," Mayor Richard Alcombright said. "It takes a great community effort to make this happen."

 

Coming off one of the team’s best seasons, McGrath said this year’s lineup looks promising. The team hired a new coach, Clayton Kuklick, he said. 

 

"He’s a young and upcoming coach and we’re really fortunate to bring him in," McGrath said. 

 

Bosley joked that his first move as president is to add himself to the team's roster as the closer.

 

The team's schedule and roster will be available on a new website expected to be launched in the next two weeks.