In conjunction with the Oakland Athletics,
the Kane County Cougars have announced the
coaching staff for the 2009 season. A new
face will be found in the Cougars' dugout
beginning next April as former Major Leaguer
Steve Scarsone takes the reins as Cougars
skipper, replacing Aaron Nieckula who has
been named manager of the High-A Stockton
Ports. Nieckula earns a well-deserved move
upwards in the Oakland organization after
serving as the Cougars' manager for three
seasons (2006-08) and hitting coach for two
seasons (2004-05). As manager, Nieckula led
the Cougars to two postseason appearances
and compiled a .514 winning percentage
(214-202) as skipper.
The 2009 campaign will be Scarsone's first
season in the Oakland organization. A
seven-year Major League veteran, Scarsone
logged time as a player with Philadelphia,
Baltimore, San Francisco, St. Louis and
Kansas City. He enjoyed his most success
with the Giants from 1993-96, with his best
season being 1995 when he batted .266 with
11 home runs and 29 RBI. Scarsone's
managerial career includes time spent as
head man of the Midwest League's South Bend
franchise in 2001, as well as Lancaster of
the California League in 2002. The Cougars'
lone Midwest League Championship took place
in '01 when Kane County opposed Scarsone's
team, South Bend, in a shortened league
championship series due to the terrorist
attacks of September 11th.
“I'm excited about getting back into
baseball,” Scarsone said from his Arizona
home. “During the 2001 season when I was in
the Midwest League, I noticed the warm
reception that the team (Kane County) got
there from their local people. It's a great
testament to what minor league baseball can
be.”
Jimmy Escalante also joins the Cougars field
staff as pitching coach, replacing Don
Schulze who has been appointed to High-A
Stockton in the same capacity. Escalante
spent the previous two seasons as pitching
coach of Oakland's Short-A affiliate, the
Vancouver Canadians. A former minor leaguer,
Escalante was drafted by Baltimore in 1996
and spent three seasons in the Orioles' farm
system. He closed his affiliated playing
career in the Angels' system in 2000 after
being acquired by them in the 1999 Rule V
Minor League draft.
Returning to Kane County this season is Haas
Pratt as hitting coach. As the youngest
field staff member in Cougars' history last
season, Pratt transitioned well from player
to coach, helping develop young hitters as
the team advanced to the postseason last
September. Prior to becoming a coach last
season, Pratt spent four seasons as a
prospect in the A's system.
The final familiar face coming back to
Geneva is that of Cougars trainer Nate
Brooks, who returns in the same role for
Kane County in 2009. Brooks joined the
Cougars last season after a two-year stint
at Vancouver.
“On behalf of the Cougars organization, I'd
like to thank Aaron and Don for their hard
work during their time at Kane County and
wish them the best on a well-deserved
promotion to Stockton,” Cougars General
Manager Jeff Sedivy said. “We also look
forward to welcoming Steve and Jimmy into
the Cougars family as we anticipate a great
2009 season for the team and our fans.”
KANE COUNTY
COUGARS
|
34W002 CHERRY LANE, GENEVA, IL 60134
(630) 232-8811 FAX: (630) 232-8815
|
info@kanecountycougars.com
