SteepleCats Hire Pitching Coach
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“It actually isn't going to be hard at all. My wife was born and raised in Vermont and I have visited the New England area every year for the past six years. My and wife and I consider New England our second home,” Amaya said. “I am very familiar with New England and I love it out there. It is a beautiful part of the country and the people are great. We are looking forward to spending even more time back there this year than previous years.”
In addition to being familiar with the area making the transition easier, there will also be a familiar face in the dugout for the ‘Cats new pitching coach. “I first heard about the opportunity in North Adams through (SteepleCats Head Coach) Jeff Verplancke. Jeff and I played against each other in high school and college and we coach at schools that are near each other.”
Of course, no new team comes without a little but of an adjustment to learn about your personnel and some new challenges. But that adjustment should be tempered by the enthusiasm that Amaya brings to the table. “The thing that excites me the most is working with some of the best college players around the country. I'm excited to help our team play good, hard baseball for all of the great fans in North Adams. I'm also excited to work with Coach Verplancke, a man who I have the utmost respect for.”
As a player, Amaya pitched for Division II Cal Poly Pomona where during his career he was named California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Pitcher of the Year once as well as earning all conference honors. One thing that should help him relate to his entire pitching staff a little better was that he was used as both a starter and a reliever while pitching for the Broncos.
As many high school coaches do, Amaya is also a teacher in the school that he coaches at. Often, he says, he finds parallels between teaching and coaching. “Being a teacher gives me a huge advantage as a coach. Teaching is all about knowing how each kid learns. Every student is different. Some only need to hear verbal explanation, some need visual. My players are the same way. Some you have to physically show how to do some things and some just need explanation. In the classroom you are dealing with different personalities and trying to work with them and it's the same on the field. Some players you have to get on to get them going and others you constantly have to keep their confidence level up.”
When he’s not around the baseball diamond or teaching, Amaya enjoys spending time with the people who are most important to him. “My wife and kids are the most important aspects of my life and I give them all my attention when I'm not coaching. When I do get time to myself, I enjoy reading. I'm an avid reader of various sports books. I enjoy watching movies. I have an impressive DVD collection. I also try to mix in working out when I have a chance.”
In case you haven't purchased your season ticket for the upcoming season, please visit one of the 7 local businesses listed here to purchase your full season's 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.
