Al Leyva named as one of the assistant coaches
Willmar, Minn. – The Willmar Stingers are excited to announce that Bo Henning has been named the Field Manager for the 2018 season, the organization’s ninth in the Northwoods League. This will be Henning’s second season with the Stingers after serving as the pitching coach last season.
“I’m excited for the opportunity to lead the Stingers on the field this summer,” Henning said. “Getting to experience the Northwoods League as a coach for the first time last season was a great learning tool for me. The fan base in Willmar is second to none and I cannot wait for opening night to get here,” he added.
The Stingers continued their success in 2017 by once again amassing 41 wins in the regular season. It was their sixth straight year that they accomplished that feat. A strong push in the second half of the season helped secure a fourth straight playoff appearance as well.
Henning is currently an assistant coach for the Sacramento City College Panthers, in Sacramento, CA. After pitching for the Panthers in 2011 and 2012, Bo returned as a coach in 2016. Henning brings experience as a former player in the Northwoods League in 2012 for the La Crosse Loggers and the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters. As an aside to coaching, Henning is also the Director of Baseball and a trainer at the Sacramento Sports Center, a family-owned business in Sacramento.
“Bo will be a great fit for our team and organization in 2018,” Stingers co-owner Ryan Voz said. “With his background in this league as both a player, and now as a coach, he was the right person to take over the reins of the coaching staff.”
Joining the coaching staff this season is Al Leyva, who will serve as one of the team’s assistant coaches. Leyva, who is also an assistant coach at Sacramento City, has a wealth of experience in summer colligate baseball. Dating back to 2003, Leyva has spent time in the New England Collegiate Baseball league as both an assistant and head coach for various teams.
Leyva’s coaching career has taken from the high school ranks, to college and even the minor leagues. Most recently, Leyva was the hitting and 3rd base coach with Mt. San Antonio College the past two seasons. From 2006-2008 he served as an assistant coach with the University of La Verne (CA).
In the summer of 2007, Leyva made his professional coaching debut with the Chicago White Sox rookie ball team in Bristol, Tennessee. Leyva served as an assistant coach to his brother, Nick Leyva, who also spent time as a Major League first base coach with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
If you would like more information on tickets for the 2018 season, or more information regarding this press release, please contact the Willmar Stingers front office at 320-222-2010 or visit www.willmarstingers.com.
The 2018 season of Stingers Baseball is presented by Marcus Construction. “From start to finish we’ll make your job easier and build a facility you will be proud of.”
