Dock Spiders Announce 2023 Coaching Staff
FOND DU LAC, WI – The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders and field manager Douglas Coe are pleased to announce the coaching staff for the 2023 season. Coe will be joined in the dugout by hitting coach Joe Morris and pitching coach Robert “Rowdy” Yates.
Morris is in his second year as an assistant coach for Wagner College (NY), working as the outfield coach, assisting with the hitters, and contributing to recruiting efforts for the Seahawks. Most notably, one of Morris’ outfielders was named First Team All-NEC in 2022. Morris has four years of coaching experience, previously holding the title as an assistant coach and strength & conditioning coach for Monroe College in The Bronx (NY) from 2019-21. While working in The Bronx, his main responsibilities were as hitting coach and third base coach, while assisting with recruiting. Morris had a brief stint in Bellmore (NY) with the LIB Anglers from the Boys of Summer Perfect Game Collegiate League. He assisted the head coach and acted as the third base coach. Morris’ coaching career began with the Rochester Honkers of the Northwest League, where he served as first base coach and assistant hitting coach. Before beginning his coaching career, the Syosset, NY, native played four years at Queens College (NY), where he was a walk-on starter. He served as a utility man, playing outfield, second base, and third base. In 2016, he was named Second Team All-Conference, hitting .343 for the year. At CUNY Queens, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in media studies with a minor in journalism.
Yates is a retired United States Army Colonel with United States Special Operations Command. He used his time in the service to continue his involvement in the game of baseball. Among his many military awards, Yates is the recipient of the Legion of Merit and two Bronze Star Medals. He served two combat tours in Iraq and another two in Afghanistan. The Governor of the State of Arkansas has named him an “Arkansas Traveler.” He has been a private baseball instructor for over 40 years and has contributed to the game at virtually every level including four years as a player-coach for two separate independent professional leagues, many years with various youth baseball organizations, two years as a high school coach, and coaching pitchers and catchers at the NCAA Division 2 level. Yates has worked with several University of Arkansas players, along with other Division 1 players during the special circumstances of 2020. This season marks his fifth year as a pitching coach in various Summer Collegiate Leagues around the country. Yates has 24 years of experience working for Major League teams in an Associate Scout/Player Development capacity, including positions with the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Miami Marlins, Texas Rangers, and Cleveland Guardians. He resides in Prairie Grove, AR, and spends quiet days on his farm training German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers when he is not scouting or providing baseball instruction.
The Dock Spiders begin their seventh season on Memorial Day (May 29) against the Green Bay Rockers at 1:05 p.m. at Marian University’s Herr-Baker Field. Season tickets, packages, and group tickets are currently available at dockspiders.com or by calling the ticket office at (920) 907-9833.
The Fond du Lac Dock Spiders are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having recently completed its’ 29th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 22 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, over 300 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit dockspiders.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Dock Spiders as your favorite team.
