The Madison Mallards have named pitching coach Chris Maliszewski Associate Head Coach for the 2006 season. Maliszewski will return as the top assistant to Manager C.J. Thieleke. Maliszewski guided the Mallards 2005 pitching staff to a Northwoods League record 2.31 earned run average and the NWL South Division Title. Maliszewski will be returning to Madison for his second season as a coach and a third season overall with the organization. Maliszewski was a relief pitcher on the Mallards 2003 squad. He spent the 2004 season as a pitching coach for the Mankato MoonDogs.

?It is great to have him back,? Thieleke said. ?I enjoyed working with him and it is exciting to be able to bring someone back you are familiar with. I can?t wait to do it again and try and put together another winning season.?

Maliszewski, a native of Streamwood, Ill., pitched for the Mallards in 2003 following his junior season at the University of 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. Maliszewski also played for Thieleke when he was an assistant coach for two seasons at Iowa in 2002 and 2003.

The Mallards open the 2006 season against defending NWL Champion Thunder Bay BorderCats on June 1, 2006. Season and group tickets are on sale now. For tickets or more information call the Mallards office at 608.246.4277.