FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Battle Creek, MI, October 11th – On Friday, October 11th, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks announced the return of Ben Harley as Head Coach for the 2025 season.
“We are super excited to have Ben return as our manager for 2025 to continue building the culture he started last summer. Ben bringing back some of our stars will create continuity to help us compete for the Great Lakes East Division,” said Battle Jacks General Manager Brody Conaty.
Harley’s return is one that fans should easily get excited about. After wrapping up the 2023 season at 26 wins and 46 losses, it was clear something needed to change. That’s when Coach Harley came in and reset the expectation for our players and coaching staff. “Last year our big focus was creating an expectation of winning and competing in every single game throughout the summer. Our expectations are that our culture carries over to the 2025 summer and we make a run at a Great Lakes East Division Championship,” said Harley.
The 2024 season proved to be a huge improvement on the field, finishing the season at 32 wins and 40 losses, just a few games back of making a playoff berth for the first time in the Battle Jacks’ three short seasons. “With Ben last summer it was clear there was a new feeling in the ballpark where our team had a chance to win every time they took the field. Building on the success of last year is something Battle Jacks fans can be excited for,” said Conaty.
There will also be some familiar faces gracing MCCU Field, which will prove to be a huge strength for the 2025 season. “Our roster is coming together nicely for next summer and we can’t wait for the Battle Creek community to see the new faces on the field. We do have some key returners signed for 2025 including Sam Griffith from Oakland University, Justin Morgan from Central Michigan University and Adrian Rubio from Eastern New Mexico University. Sam was a key piece in our everyday lineup, Justin led the entire Northwoods League in Saves and Adrian was a Northwoods League All-Star in 2024. We will lean on these 3 players to help push our culture forward.”
“Ben and this team’s culture is clear: we embody the city with a blue collar attitude, grit, and hard work every night. Ben and the Jacks will produce something the Battle Creek community can be proud of every time they step between the white lines,” said Conaty.
The plans for a winning ballclub in 2025 isn’t the only thing to get your hopes up. For the first time in over 5 years, the Battle Creek Battle Jacks have shown a massive increase in attendance, averaging over 1,000 fans per game at MCCU Field in 2024. “Building a winning ballclub will always be part of the job, but our biggest focus will continue to be dedicated to the fans. Whether it’s our entertainment on and off the field, giving back to the community that gives so much to us, or making sure every hot dog that leaves our concession stands is up to our standards, being Fan’s Best Friend will always be the most important thing to us as an organization,” said Denny Smith, Vice President of Business Operations.
With so much to look forward to in 2025, this much is clear: The Battle Creek Battle Jacks will be the top destination in Battle Creek next summer.
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The Battle Creek Battle Jacks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Entering its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 26 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires, and front office staff, over 350 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, 2021 and 2023 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.battlejacksbaseball.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Battle Jacks as your favorite team.
