Hitting Coach Torrey Roper elevated to Interim Field Manager for the remainder of the season.

Dickinson, ND – Big Sticks Field Manager, Jordan Price, has stepped down from his position after accepting a full-time coaching position with Metropolitan State University of Denver. Price’s final game with the Big Sticks was an 18-5 victory over the Bismarck Larks on Sunday, July 14th.

Jordan Price has been with the organization since 2022 when he was hired as the team’s pitching coach. He was named Field Manager prior to the 2023 season and finished that season with a 32-22 record. He remained at the helm for the 2024 season, the Big Sticks’ first in the Northwoods League. He departs with a total record of 52-49 over his 2 seasons as Field Manager.

Torrey Roper will lead the team for the remainder of the season, alongside Cooper Beving and Dan Rivera. Roper secured his first win as Field Manager with a 7-2 victory over the Bismarck Larks on Monday, July 15th. He is the fifth Field Manager that the Big Sticks have had in the history of the franchise.

Torrey Roper began the season as the hitting coach for the Big Sticks. Roper is from Shaker Heights, Ohio where he graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 2018. He was a journeyman throughout college, hitting 4 schools in 5 years. His first full season came in 2021 with Bryant & Stratton College (OH). Torrey helped the Bobcats win a conference championship in the program’s inaugural season. He was awarded OCCAC Player of the Year & 1st Team All-Conference honors that season.

Roper finished up his playing career at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA) as a 2-year starting Outfielder. In 2022, he helped the Crimson Hawks complete the largest turnaround in Division 2 history, with a 25-win improvement from the previous season. In 2023, Torrey contributed to IUP’s deepest conference playoff run in over a decade. Torrey Roper is currently back with Bryant & Stratton as an Assistant Coach and Sports Information Coordinator. He primarily works with the Outfielders and Hitters.

The team looks to continue their continue their success under the new skipper as they head to St. Cloud for two games against the Rox. They play at 5:35 PM MDT today and Wednesday, July 16 and 17.

The Big Sticks return to Dakota Community Bank & Trust Ballpark on July 18 at 6:35 PM MDT to take on the Willmar Stingers. Tickets can be purchased at https://badlands-big-sticks.nwltickets.com/SingleGame/Tickets.