KALAMAZOO, MI – The Kalamazoo Growlers are pleased to announce the hiring of Travis Wade as the teams new 2015 Field Manager. Wade will be replacing former manager Joe Carbone, who led the Growlers in their inaugural season.
Travis is no stranger to baseball having played professionally for thirteen seasons. His resume includes four seasons with the Houston Astros organization, as well as time with the Michigan Battle Cats. While a member of the San Francisco Giants organization, Wade reached the AAA level as a pitcher. In 2000, Wade was a part of the AA Texas League Championship team and in 2001 was a Texas League All-Star. During his pitching career, Wade made 535 appearances, pitched over 700 innings, and had over 100 saves. Wade also played collegiately for Kellogg Community College before transferring to Eastern Michigan.
“I am very excited to represent the Growlers organization. I want to thank Brian and the rest of the management group for the opportunity” added Wade. “I can't think of a better place to start my managerial career than in my home town of Kalamazoo. I'm looking forward to mentoring and developing the great talent we are bringing to Kalamazoo.” Wade said
More recently, Wade served as a pitching coach in the Golden League during 2009 and 2010 (now the North American League) under field manager Darrell Evans, who was a part of the 1984 World Series Champions Detroit Tigers. Following his stint in the Golden League, Wade went on to serve as pitching coach for the Trois Rivieres Eagles in the Can-Am Professional Baseball League.
Brian Colopy, President of the Growlers, was eager to bring someone with experience both playing and coaching at the professional level to lead the Growlers in their second season. “Travis brings a professional atmosphere with him to the Growlers along with a familiarity of this area and community” stated Colopy. “He has played and coached at multiple levels of professional baseball, which our players can learn from for their transition to the next level. He will bring an atmosphere of professionalism, and most importantly, a winning attitude to the clubhouse.”
The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. The 21-year old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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, 120 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.northwoodsleague.com.