Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks, a member of the Northwoods League, have announced that field manager Jason Nell has stepped aside from the position and that Travis Kiewiet has been named Waterloo’s skipper for the 2012 season. Kiewiet (pronounced KEE-wit) becomes the ninth manager in Bucks history.
"Over the past four years, I’ve had the chance to work with Travis closely, have had the opportunity to know him both personally and professionally, and I’m positive that he’s the right person to lead our organization on the field," said Bucks General Manager Dan Corbin. "His work ethic is matchless and his Northwoods League baseball knowledge is well established.
"Travis has coached alongside of one of the best in the NWL. Jason Nell has been a strong manager and an incredible presence for this team and I sincerely thank him for his service to the Bucks."
Kiewiet recently completed his fourth season as a coach for the Bucks (2008-11). He was a member of Nell’s staff for the past two years. Kiewiet resides in Dike, Iowa with his wife Teresa and three children Marley, Parker, and Taylor.
"I am extremely honored and excited to be named the field manager of the Waterloo Bucks," said Kiewiet. "I would like to thank the Bucks owners, John and Steve Marso, and General Manager Dan Corbin for this tremendous opportunity. As a coach on staff these past four years, I have experienced the passion and dedication this organization has in putting together a quality experience for the fans here in the Cedar Valley. I will do my part to keep that vision going and get the Bucks back into the playoffs."
Currently, Kiewiet is a physical education teacher at Hudson Middle School and High School. Prior to joining the Bucks, Kiewiet was the head baseball coach at Dike-New Hartford High School in 2007 and associate head baseball coach at Cedar Falls High School in 2006. Kiewiet also served as the C.F.H.S. assistant varsity coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Before his work with the Wolverines and Tigers, Kiewiet was the head coach at Hudson High School in 2002 and 2003 where he directed his ’02 team to the class 2A state baseball tournament.
He becomes the ninth manager in Waterloo Buck history, following Bucks Baseball Hall of Fame member Eric Snider (1995-98), NWL All-Decade Team manager Darrell Handelsman (1999-2002), Andy Haines (2003-04), Jason Shockey (2005), Corey Allen (2006), Dan Fitzgerald (2007), Pete Lauritson (2008-09), and Nell (2010-11).
Nell guided the Bucks for the last two seasons, compiling a 65-75 record. He began his NWL career with the Mankato MoonDogs during the summer of 2005 as the team’s base coach. The next season, Nell was named field manager of Mankato, a position he held through the ’08 season. As the manager of the MoonDogs, Nell won the ’08 First Half North Division Championship, coached 32 players that have been selected in the Major League Baseball amateur draft, was the Manager of the ’08 North Division All-Stars, and was named the NWL Manager of the Year in ’08. Nell has a total of 173 wins in the NWL.
On July 10, 2011, Nell became the sixth-winningest manager in NWL history. The victory was the 159th of Nell’s career, moving him past former Bucks skipper Eric Snider on the all-time career wins list. Nell finished the ’11 season as the NWL’s second-winningest active manager behind Eau Claire’s Dale Varsho.
"I am very humbled and honored to have worked with the Bucks organization for the last two years," said Nell. "My family and I are appreciative and grateful of the support from the fans and the host families who are second to none. We will be forever grateful of our time spent in Waterloo and with the Bucks.
"Travis is a very smart and diligent person who also has a passion for the game. More importantly, he is a good person. I was very fortunate to have him as my right hand man. The Bucks are in good shape with him."
