The Battle Creek Bombers have hired Brandon Higelin as the team’s Field Manager. Higelin was the Bombers Pitching Coach for the 2011 Championship season and was highly regarded around the league for the work he did with the pitching staff throughout the summer.
“I first want to thank Brian Colopy for allowing me the opportunity to coach the Battle Creek Bombers. The Northwoods League is one of the best collegiate summer leagues in the country and it is an honor to be named the next Manager of the Bombers. We have already started putting a roster together filled with quality young men on and off the field, and with that talent and a great staff, I am excited for what this summer has in store. I am eager to get back to Battle Creek and start working on defending our Northwoods League Championship.”
Higelin has spent time in numerous pitching positions throughout different levels of baseball. Recently Brandon has been giving private lessons to Division 1 collegiate players, and minor leaguers in California. Brandon also spent a number of years as a left-hand pitcher in the San Diego Padres farm system.
“We are very happy to have Brandon as our Field Manager for 2012. I have the utmost confidence in Brandon and his abilities to recruit talent, teach fundamentals, and inspire our team. Donnie was an amazing mentor for Brandon last season and I think that time will help Brandon this summer and in his promising career in baseball”, said Bombers GM Brian Colopy.
Brandon takes over for the 2011 Northwoods League Manager of the Year Donnie Scott.
Donnie said in a released statement, “Because of a recent job opportunity, I have made the difficult decision not to return this upcoming season. I want to thank NWL President Dick Radatz, GM Brian Colopy, pitching Coach Brandon Higelin, hitting Coach Thad Frame, the championship players, the front office staff, all of the host families and friendly fans for one of the most memorable experiences in my entire life. Brandon is a quality baseball man with a passion for the game and the desire to help young players. He will put in the time and effort to assure continued success for the Bombers. I will truly miss the Northwoods League and managing the Battle Creek Bombers.”
Higelin spoke on his time with Donnie last summer, “I am so grateful to have been able to work alongside, and learn from such a great manager as Donnie Scott last summer. Not only did he teach me what it takes to be a great Field Manager, but what it takes to be a leader of young men. I look forward to continue to build upon the success that Donnie brought to Battle Creek, and teach our players what it takes to be a successful player at the minor league level.”
Brandon attended California State University where he majored in both Business and History. While attending CSU, Higelin achieved the award of 2005 Pitcher of the Year. A 28th round selection by the Padres, Higelin was selected as a 2006 Midwest League All-star and later became the captain of the team’s pitching staff. He is currently finishing up is BA in psychology at Ashford University.
Higelin was the head baseball coach for the developmental baseball program, Poway Express. He was also the Pitching Coach for Poway Thunder in Poway, California during the summer of 2010. Higelin has rubbed off his talents onto many current and former students that have committed to Division 1 baseball programs.
