The first official managerial opening in the Frontier League for 2012 is in Normal, Ill., where the CornBelters have announced that Hal Lanier will not return for a third season.The 69-year-old Lanier, a former National League Manager of the Year with the Houston Astros, guided Normal to a 90-102 record in his two seasons in the Frontier League. The Cornbelters were 46-50 this year and finished in third place in the West Division, but missed the playoffs by 12 games.
"This decision was based on a second season in which expectations were much higher than what was achieved," CornBelters general manager Steve Malliet said. "There's no doubt our talent pool of players grew significantly this season, but that didn't translate into enough wins on the field.
"We felt Hal worked hard to bring a winning team to Normal, and we wish him all the best. We expect to compete for a playoff spot each and every season."
Malliet plans to have a new manager hired by Nov. 1.
one more is coming at the end of september--mr. smily. and several more (probably five total) before the end of november.
ReplyDeletesuch is life in the frontier league.
No former major league manager should lower himself to have any association with the frontier league. if they do, they only damage there reputation beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteHal WILL be the next WT manager Mark my words! It's already a done deal.
ReplyDeleteDanny
Any idea whom the Wild Things are looking at for there Manager (if anyone)?
ReplyDeleteHow about Wayne Herrod? He doesn't do anything worthwhile anyway.
ReplyDeleteI've been told Darin Everson will sign a two-year contract extension with the Washington Wild Things by the end of the week.
ReplyDeletewild things hold the mr. smily cards...they have an option for next year. and they are not going to exercise it.
ReplyDeletethe owner has made it clear to several people that this change has to happen. team needs a connection to affiliated players being cut loose, to undrafted, missed college kids on the way up....mr. smily showed clearly that he has neither connection.
'the owner has made it clear to several people that this change has to happen. team needs a connection to affiliated players being cut loose,"
ReplyDeleteHow do you know that to be true? Everybody is supposed to not discuss certain things at Mr. Williams request. You could at least respect that, couldn't you?
Some people have no honor in their entire body.
Ima Fraid
Saying a team needs connections(s) to players released from affiliated ball is hardly breaking news. It's stating the obvious. It's the same as saying "we need to find good players." This organization has had a lack of connections to scouts and affiliated teams for several years. There have been precious few, if any (I'll have to check), players signed during the season who were recently released from affiliated ball. Signing players from the Pecos League is not the way to build a Frontier League playoff team.
ReplyDeleteBut the Pecos League is such a quality league. Washington even has an Applebee's to make the players (and coaches) feel right at home!
ReplyDelete