Madison, Wis. – The Madison Mallards have announced Matt LaMothe will be returning to the organization in 2017. LaMothe played for the Mallards in 2010 and 2012, but his new role will take him to the dugout as the team’s pitching coach.
“After two years of playing in Madison, I am blessed and grateful to have the opportunity to become the pitching coach for the Mallards,” LaMothe said.
In 2010, LaMothe recorded 55 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched with an ERA of 2.66, while being named a Northwoods League All-Star. In 2012, he led the team in wins and went 5-4 with 69 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched.
Since playing for the Mallards, LaMothe played two seasons of independent pro-ball for the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League. After retiring from playing he turned his focus to coaching. He coached one year at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois and is currently in his second year coaching at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri. Last season with Central University, the team made it to the opening round of the World Series and broke 20 school records.
“My playing experience will help my approach as a coach because I understand the grind, I understand the day in, day out of being a player in the Northwoods League,” said LaMothe.
His teaching approach on the mound will be to strive for throwing strikes, no free passes and supporting each other on and off the field.
“I’m excited to learn under Donnie Scott and pick his brain a little bit. I am also excited to be back in Madison and around an unbelievable fan base. It’s a dream come true,” said LaMothe.
LaMothe played two seasons of college baseball at Oakland University and two seasons at Georgia College. He is originally from Troy, Michigan.
The Madison Mallards are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The 23-year-old summer collegiate league is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 20 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, more than 160 former Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (WAS) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (DET), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Lucas Duda (NYM) and Ben Zobrist
