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Rockford, IL \u2013\u00a0In a homecoming of sorts, the first and only field manager of the Rockford Rivets has accepted the same position with the Windy City Thunderbolts of the Frontier League. Brian Smith will be leaving the Rivets after managing the franchise for their first three seasons.<\/p>\n
Smith came to the Rivets in 2016, after being pitching coach in Windy City for three seasons.\u00a0 He also played for the Joliet franchise in the Frontier League for two seasons prior to coaching.<\/p>\n
While in Rockford, Smith managed the team to a 100-115 overall record.\u00a0 In 2017 the team finished 39-33 earning a spot in the Northwoods League Playoffs.\u00a0 The team lost 2-0 to the Battle Creek Bombers to end their playoff run.<\/p>\n
One of the Smith\u2019s biggest accomplishments was getting 13 players selected in the last two Major League Baseball drafts, including nine in the 2018 June draft.\u00a0 This year\u2019s draft included former University of Illinois outfielder Bren Spillane, who played for Smith and the Rivets in 2017.\u00a0 Spillane, the Big Ten Player of the Year and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Year award winner was drafted in the 3rd<\/sup> round by the Cincinnati Reds.\u00a0 \u201cWe have had a lot of talented kids come through Rockford over the last three summers.\u00a0 Players like Bren and Hunter Hargrove (2017 Big 12 Player of the Year) came to Rockford to rejuvenate their baseball careers.\u00a0 Players usually go back to school a much better player.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBrian was a huge asset in the development of college ballplayers both on and off the field as they aspire to be pro ballplayers\u201c, said Chad Bauer, Rivets General Manager.\u00a0 \u201cWhen I interviewed Brian for the job, I knew I had a good baseball guy that I could trust to run the player side of the operation.\u00a0 I wish him nothing but the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Smith first came to the Northwoods League as a player in 2006 while playing for Northern Illinois University.\u00a0 He played three summers for the Madison Mallards and coached a fourth, as an injury prevented him from playing.\u00a0 \u201cMy time spent in the Northwoods, as a player, coach and manager, will always have a special place in my heart.\u00a0 I have been flying Northwoods League First Class for over 10 years now and I cannot be more grateful.\u00a0 I want to thank Dick and Chad for giving me this opportunity and trusting me with their franchise.\u00a0 We hit it off from day one and have made Rockford into a place that can be trusted throughout the college baseball world.\u00a0 I also have to thank the fans who came out night after night to support our boys.\u00a0 Fans who came out may have seen, taken a picture with, gotten an autograph from or even hosted the next Chris Sale or Max Scherzer.\u00a0 That is the Disney type feeling the Northwoods League gives every player, fan and host family.\u00a0 From the bottom of my heart, Thank You!\u201d<\/p>\n