The Madison Mallards have named Chris Maliszewski pitching coach the team announced Wednesday. Maliszewski, who played for the Mallards in 2003, is the first addition to Head Coach C.J. Thieleke?s staff. Maliszewski is currently a graduate assistant at the University of Iowa and served as the Mankato MoonDogs pitching coach in 2004. Maliszewski will be entering his third season in the Northwoods League, including his second as a coach.

?I have been impressed with his transition right into a coaching career and it is something he is very passionate about it,? Thieleke said about his new pitching coach. ?He brings the Mallards a wealth of resources and I look forward to coaching with him.?

Maliszewski, a native of Streamwood, Ill., pitched for the Mallards in 2003 following his junior season at Iowa. In his only season with the Mallards, Maliszewski was 2-0 with a 2.39 earned run average. He appeared in 23 games totaling 26.1 innings for the NWL South Division First-Half Champions. Thieleke is reunited with Maliszewski, who played under the Mallards new Head Coach for two seasons at Iowa.

The Madison Mallards begin defense of their 2004 Northwoods League Championship starting in June 2005. Season tickets for 2005 are on sale now. For more information stop by the Mallards office, call 608.246.4277 or log onto to www.mallardsbaseball.com.