Completing the trifecta, as Dick Vitale would say, the Rockbridge Rapids have also named a new coach, joining the New Market Rebels and Waynesboro Generals. This story appeared on the Valley League website on September 29th.
LEXINGTON, Va. - The Rockbridge Rapids announced Tuesday that Greg Keaton has signed on to be its manager in 2010.
Keaton, currently an assistant baseball coach at the University of South Carolina-Sumter, has extensive collegiate coaching experience.
Prior to his experience at USC-Sumter, the Logan, W. Va. native DII schools West Virginia State University and Davis & Elkins College in addition to several West Virginia high schools.
Keaton graduated from both Marshall University and West Virginia Tech.
"We are really pleased to have someone like Greg on board," Rockbridge General Manager Ken Newman said. "He has college and summer ball experience and has an extensive network with college coaches and players. He will be able to recruit some top-quality college players and we expect the 2010 Rapids to be very competitive."
Keaton's most recent summer position was coaching for the Battle Creek (Mich.) Bombers in the Northwoods Collegiate League this past last summer. "We were very successful in the Northwoods and it was a great experience," Keaton said. "I want to coach closer to home and this Rockbridge expansion situation is ideal for me."
Rockbridge completed its first season in the 12-team Valley League this past summer. The Rapids finished fourth in the four-team South Division with a 9-33 record.
Keaton was part of a USC-Sumter staff that led the Fireants to a 52-11 record and a JUCO Regional championship in just their second year of play.
Newman and Keaton stressed that they are especially looking for players who have something to prove and have a strong baseball work ethic. "We want kids who want to play every day and know the Valley League is a great showcase opportunity for them," Keaton said.
The Rapids' 2010 season begins on June 4th and most of the players will be selected and signed to contracts while they play fall baseball for their colleges.