May 17, 2022 – Suffolk, VA

The Suffolk Voyagers have released their 2022 roster.

May 8, 2022 – Suffolk, VA

HEAD COACH: PHIL FORBES III

The Suffolk Voyagers are excited to announce Phil Forbes III will be leading the ballclub this summer.

Coach Forbes is the head coach at Menchville HS, where he has lead the Monarchs for the past 35 seasons. He has won several Peninsula District Championships, Eastern Regional Titles, and the 2009 Virginia High School State Championship, Ranked #1 in the USA and he was selected the 2009 USA Today Coach of the Year, The Voyagers are very excited to have Coach Forbes at the helm this summer.

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ASSISTANT COACH: SAM AVERY

Joining Coach Forbes on the Voyagers coaching staff this summer is Coach Sam Avery.

Coach Avery is a graduate of The University of North Carolina. Coach Avery played two years in the Tidewater Summer League with the Newport News Boop Shute participating in two Collegiate Summer League World Series tournaments with the Boop Shute. Currently, he is the pitching coach at Menchville High School and works with pitchers at Hitters Warehouse Academy-Baseball Training.

ASSISTANT COACH: PHIL FORBES IV

Coach Phil Forbes, IV is an assistant Varsity Baseball Coach for Menchville High School. He has been on the MHS varsity staff for seven years and coaching baseball for over 12 years.

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May 7, 2022 – Norfolk, VA

The Norfolk Redbirds are excited to announce Chris Dotolo as the new head coach of the ball club.

Chris is a Norfolk native and a graduate of Norfolk Academy where he played football, basketball,  and baseball.  After playing baseball at VCU and Virginia Wesleyan,  he played professional baseball for 5 seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.  He then spent the next 16 years as a college baseball coach, 15 at the Division 1 level. 

His first job was as an assistant at Mary Washington University under Tom Sheridan.  He spent a summer as an assistant for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League prior to a 4 year stint as an assistant at Dartmouth College (NH) under legendary coach Bob Whalen.  His next stop was St. John’s University (NY) in the Big East Conference where he was an assistant for 3 years for ABCA Hall of Fame Coach Ed Blankmeyer.   After St. John’s Chris was the head coach at  Hofstra University (NY) for 8 years including their inaugural season as a member of the CAA. 

He is now a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in Virginia Beach.  Since his return to Hampton Roads he has coached high school baseball at Norfolk Academy and is currently an assistant at Cape Henry Collegiate for former ODU standout Tim Hummel.  He has a bachelor’s degree in history from Virginia Wesleyan, a Master’s degree in Sports Management from George Mason University,  and a Master’s degree in Financial Planning and Law from Regent University. 

The Redbirds are also excited to announce that Jack Markey will be joining Coach Dotolo’s coaching staff for the upcoming season.

Jack is a Norfolk native and graduate of Norfolk Academy where he played basketball and baseball. Jack was the 2014 TCIS Player of the Year and TCIS champion under coach Chris Dotolo. Jack’s father, Jim Markey, is a legendary local high school basketball coach, coaching for 20 years in the Norfolk area.

Jack attended James Madison University where he received his bachelor’s degree in history. Since returning to Hampton Roads he has coached baseball at Catholic High School where he is currently the Head Coach. Jack works as an Inside Sales Representative for Chesapeake Marine Refrigeration in Norfolk.   

May 6, 2022 – Chesapeake, VA

The Greenbrier Knights are excited to announce the return of Coach Slaughter for his 31st season coaching with the ball club.

Coach Slaughter, a native & resident of Chesapeake, VA, is entering his 31st season coaching in the Greenbrier Knights organization, spending the last 11 seasons serving as the head coach.

Coach Slaughter is the former head baseball coach at IC Norcom HS in Portsmouth, VA. Coach Slaughter played his collegiate baseball at Virginia Wesleyan College.

May 3, 2022 – Virginia Beach, VA

The Virginia Beach Sea Dogs announce the hiring of John Bivens as their new head coach for the upcoming 2022 season.

Coach Bivens brings a decade of coaching experience at the amateur level and has a positive track record for developing talent and helping them transition to the next level.  In the last 10 years he has helped over 15 high school baseball athletes earn scholarships at the collegiate level including schools such as: Old Dominion, Murray State University, West Virginia, George Mason, UNC Pembroke, Savannah State University, Richmond, & more. 

His primary focus is on getting athletes bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, & more skilled. Taking a comprehensive approach to the game to build a complete player with a championship mindset. As a player, John Bivens Jr. is a former 12th round draft pick in 2010 to the Milwaukee Brewers out of Virginia State University. He was also a scholarship, two sport athlete at the University of Virginia from 2006-2009 playing football & baseball under the leadership of Coach O’Connor & Coach Mcmullan. 

After his pro baseball career ended due to chronic knee & shoulder injuries, Bivens transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship. Where he is now the Owner & CEO of Vertex Performance LLC & Co-Founder of a non-profit, VXP Legacy, Inc. that is centered around sports, fitness, academics, youth mentorship, and professional development. 

Personal: 

Married to Dr. Deisha Bivens, DPT. Current Varsity High School Baseball & Football Coach at Heritage High School. Graduated high school from Prince George High School. Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. 

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The Sea Dogs are excited to announce that Kyle Bogese and RC Orlan will be serving as the Sea Dogs Assistant Coaches.

Pitching Coach: 

Coach Kyle Bogese brings a vast amount of coaching & playing experience stemming from a strong collegiate career that ultimately led to a shot in pro ball. Virginia Native that attended Thomas Dale High School as standout pitcher throwing up to 88mph his junior year. Kyle’s collegiate career led him to Trinity University in San Antonio, where he was able to increase his velocity to 97mph and earned a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

After transitioning from professional baseball he emerged himself into amatuer baseball development to give back to the youth & fulfill his passions to teach the game of baseball. Kyle is currently the co-owner and founder of The Backyard Baseball Lab that focuses on building the complete baseball player with a pro style curriculum to help them accomplish their goals. Specializes in building progressive arm strength & velocity development. 

Career Highlights: 

• Pitched 3x in the College World Series Regionals
• Trained at the Texas Baseball Ranch in 2009
• Signed by the Phillies in 2014
• Signed by the Frontier Greys in 2015
• Signed by the Diamondbacks in 2016
• Signed by the Rockwood Boulders in 2016
• Trained with Eric Cressey in 2015
• Trained at Driveline in 2016
• Trained/Worked with Ben Brewster, owner of Tread Athletics from 2016-2017

Personal: 

Married to Virginia Joy Bogese with three daughters and a son. Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Rapsodo 2.0 Certified. Owner of Trackman. Graduated from Thomas Dale High School.

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Arm Care Coordinator:

Coach RC Orlan comes to us with a plethora of baseball knowledge from first hand experience in professional baseball & amateur coaching. He was drafted out of Deep Run high school in 2009 in the 44th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but opted to attend the University of North Carolina. 

Putting together an impressive collegiate campaign for the Tar Heels and making two appearances in the 2011 College World Series against Vanderbilt. His crafty and powerful left handed abilities put him in position to be drafted in the 30th round by the Washington Nationals. RC was then traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2017 via Rule 5 Draft.  7 Year Professional career making it all the way to Triple A & had a Big league Invite to Spring Training in 2019. 

RC is now the Co-owner & founder of the Backyard Baseball Lab that focuses on amateur & professional baseball development. He specializes in building custom arm care routines with pro style throwing programs in conjunction with a tailored strength & power development program, an adequate nutrition plan. 

Career Highlights:

• Deep Run High School 2009 First Team All State Utility
• Drafted by the Dodgers in 2009
• UNC Fall of 2009-2012. Pitched 2x in the 2011 CWS against Vanderbilt.
• Junior Year led the team in wins with 8.
• Drafted by the Nationals in 2012
• Pitched in the World Baseball Classic in 2016 (Team Israel)
• 2018, 0.65 era over 35 innings
• 2019 Cleveland Indians Big League Camp Invitation

Personal: 

Married with no kids. Rapsodo 2.0 Certified. Web & App developer. Owner of Trackman. Remote Base Program Developer. Graduated from Deep Run High school

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The Tarboro River Bandits are excited to introduce your 2022 Head Coach, Grant Crosby. Coach Crosby is looking forward to bringing a championship to Tarboro in 2022. Let’s give Coach Crosby a big Tarboro welcome!!

Grant was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and is currently an Assistant Baseball Coach at Barton College. He spent the summer of 2020 as part of the staff with the Wilson Tobs, where he helped manage day to day team operations and was the team’s bench coach. Grant has also given private lessons to athletes over the past 5 years.

As a player, Grant spent one year (2016-17) at Cleveland State Community College where he posted a 5-3 W/L record in 43 2/3 innings with a 2.27 ERA and 47K.

He then attended Morehead State University for two years (2017-2019) where he had thirteen appearances as a member of the 2018 OVC Championship team that went to the Clemson regional (2017-2018 season). In the 2018-2019 season, he managed two appearances before his season was ended by a partial UCL tear injury.

He finished his final two years (2019-21) of college at Tusculum University where he started four games before season ending shoulder surgery (2019-20). In the 2020-21 season, he appeared four times after returning from surgery in early April, in a limited capacity. 

Grant graduated from Tusculum University with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business in 2020 and in 2021, he graduated with a master’s degree in Sport Administration.

April 18, 2022

Edenton, NC- There’s a new leader for the Steamers.

Justin Hill, the current head coach at Currituck County High School, has been hired as the Steamers’ head coach for the 2022 season.

Hill brings over 20 years of managerial experience at the high school level, including the last 14 years as the manager of Currituck County High School’s varsity team. Working with collegiate players is a new chapter of coaching that he’s looking forward to. 

“I’m excited to work with talented guys that are serious about the game,” Hill said. “That’s what I’m passionate about and I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”

Hill has lifelong experience with the area, growing up playing and eventually coaching in and around Edenton. He grew up in Elizabeth City and attended Currituck schools. The Steamers new manager even has ties to Historic Hicks Field from his playing days. 

“When I was in high school I played at Historic Hicks Field, and I was on Edenton’s Post 40 Legion team in high school,” Hill said. “I’ve been in a lot of ball games at that park and have a lot of fond memories of summer ball in Edenton in that atmosphere.”

Hill’s history in Edenton, as well as his ability to help young players grow, made him an easy choice for Steamers’ general manager Tyler Russell. 

“The Steamers are very excited about the hiring of Justin Hill. He brings a strong passion for the game of baseball and a willingness to help our players grow. During his many years at Currituck, he has molded numerous guys into great players, and has seen many of his men go on to the next level,” Russell said. “We are excited to see where he will lead our storied franchise on the field. We project nothing but great success for him and our players as we move through the upcoming season.”

Hill’s familiarity of the area brings an understanding of what fans of Edenton want to see from their team. He’s conscious of the team’s importance to the area and the support the team has behind them. 

“Edenton still has that small town feel to it. When there’s a game going on, everyone knows about it…. That’s something that’s special to me, that small town feel and local people getting behind their guys,” Hill said. “My goal is to make the community of Edenton proud of the product that’s on the field. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

Hill’s been around the game long enough to know what qualities a team needs to win. His teams and his coaching style follow a similar theme. 

Playing the game the right way. 

“Respecting the game and playing it hard, that’s the only way I know how to practice and play,” Hill said. “That’s what I preach all the time, being accountable.”

Hill follows up Marshall McDonald, who spent the last two seasons guiding the teal and black. McDonald compiled a 37-16 record in league play as manager of the Steamers. 

McDonald led the team in 2020 to its highest winning percentage in a single season in team history (21-5; .807 win percentage). He also coached elite talent like Houston Wright (2020 PCL MVP), Jake Rice (9th round pick in 2021 by Arizona Diamondbacks) and Joe Kemlage (2021 free agent signing by San Francisco Giants).

“The Steamers organization greatly appreciates all of the hard work over the last two years by Marshall McDonald. His stellar enthusiasm for the game was incomparable,” said Russell. “He made a huge impact on and off the field for our players and our fans. We wish him nothing but the best with his new position as the Head Coach at Catawba Valley Community College.”

McDonald posted a message to social media in which he thanked the Steamers and fans for rejuvenating his love for summer baseball. He ended his message with one last thank you to Edenton. 

“To the fans and town of Edenton you will have a special place in mine and my wife’s heart forever,” McDonald wrote. “I can never express how much these last two summers have changed my life. But, for now I must move on and answer to life’s ever-changing call. Much love! Roll Clams! FOTC!”

Hill’s first game as manager will be on June 3rd when the Steamers take on the Clayton Clovers.