The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today that Ryan Ruiz, Field Manager from their 2010 season, will return to pilot the Honkers again in 2011. Ruiz guided the Rochester Honkers to the 2010 Northwoods League playoffs and to the decisive Game #3 of the NWL Championship Series vs. Eau Claire. The Honkers bid for their league best 6th NWL Championship and the first team to win back-to-back NWL Championships, came up short in a 9-1 loss in Eau Claire.
“It is an honor and privilege to be asked back to the Rochester Honkers organization,” said Ruiz. “We were “that” close to coming home with another NWL Championship, and I have a bad taste in my mouth. I am anxious to get back and finish what we started.”
Ruiz, an Assistant Coach at Central Arizona College (Coolidge, AZ), guided the Honkers to a North Division first half title with a 19-13 mark, qualifying for post season play. The Honkers finished the 2nd half 17-16, and faced St. Cloud, who won the 2nd half in the North Division with a record of 20-13. Rochester swept St. Cloud 2 game to 0 to claim the 2010 North Division crown and advance to the NWL Championship Series versus the Eau Claire Express, winners of the South Division. The Express won their first ever NWL Championship by defeating the Honkers 2 game to 1.
“It was quite an experience to get to the championship series and have a chance to clinch another title,” added Ruiz. “Our boys worked so hard throughout the summer to get to that point. It made my experience so rewarding and it was so special to be part of an amazing well rounded team. It was an incredible season with some ups and downs.”
Ruiz spent eight years of playing professionally in the Northern and American Association of the Independent Leagues. The left handed hitting centerfielder completed his playing career in 2006, with a career .288 batting average. His best year was in 2004 where he hit .310 with 22 doubles and 35 stolen bases and was named to the North All-Star Team. Ruiz finished his collegiate career at Texas Tech in 1999 where he led the team in hitting (.363) and stole 35 bases in 37 attempts. He was honored by the Big XII as a second-team all-conference pick as a junior and senior and was nominated for the Easton’s defensive Player of the Year award in 1999.
Ruiz, now in his fourth year at Central Arizona, is in charge of handling the hitters and outfielders, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, and assists in the recruiting process. Ruiz also serves as an associate scout for the Kansas City Royals. The Lake Forest, CA native is married (Carissa) and holds an AA degree from Saddleback College and a BA from Texas Tech in Sports Psychology.
