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Pit Spitters Announce Coaching Staff Under New Field Manager Todd Reid
Traverse City, MI, April 28, 2025 – The Traverse City Pit Spitters are excited to announce their 2025 coaching staff, led by newly promoted Field Manager Dr. J. Todd Reid, along with the additions of pitching coach Rocky Mauriello and assistant coach Ryan Gillings.
Known as “Coach T” to his players, Reid has been a key figure in the Pit Spitters organization since its inaugural 2019 season, helping guide the team to Northwoods League championships in 2019 and 2021. Reid’s coaching career spans more than 25 years, with over 500 career victories at the NCAA Division III and NAIA levels. A two-time Conference Coach of the Year and accomplished educator with a doctorate in Global Sport Leadership, Reid brings a proven track record of success, leadership, and a deep commitment to player development as he leads the Pit Spitters into a new era.
Returning to Traverse City for the 2025 season, the Pit Spitters welcome back pitching coach Rocky Mauriello. Mauriello previously served in the same role during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, helping guide the Pit Spitters to a championship in 2021. He is currently the pitching coach at Maryville College (TN), where he helped the Scots capture a conference title in 2024. With coaching experience across NAIA, Division I Junior College, Division I, Division III, and Independent League professional baseball, Mauriello brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for developing young pitchers.
Joining the staff for his first season is assistant coach Ryan Gillings, a Muskegon, MI native and standout collegiate catcher at Aquinas College. Gillings, an All-State honoree and member of Muskegon Catholic Central’s Athletics Hall of Fame, currently serves as Catching Coach and Director of Operations at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff while pursuing his MBA. His leadership, defensive expertise, and energy will add a new dimension to the Pit Spitters dugout in 2025.
“Our staff brings an incredible mix of experience, passion, and commitment to player growth,” said Reid. “I’m thrilled to work alongside Rocky and Ryan as we build a championship culture and deliver an exciting season for Pit Spitters fans.”
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About the Traverse City Pit Spitters: The Traverse City Pit Spitters are members of the Northwoods League playing their inaugural season of baseball in Traverse City in 2019. Since 2019, the Pit Spitters have won two Northwoods League Championships and delivered their unique brand of FUN to hundreds of thousands of fans. The Pit Spitters share Managing Partners and principal ownership with the West Michigan Whitecaps, the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, based in Comstock Park, Michigan. Pit Spitters home games are played in Traverse City’s favorite multi-purpose outdoor entertainment venue, Turtle Creek Stadium. For more information visit https://northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/ or contact (231) 943 0100 or email info@pitspitters.com.
The Pit Spitters Are Going Cashless: Starting in 2025, Turtle Creek Stadium will transition to a fully cashless operation to enhance fan safety, streamline transactions, and improve efficiency. All purchases, including tickets, concessions, and merchandise, will require contactless payments. Fans needing to convert cash can do so at designated locations. This move ensures a smoother, more convenient game-day experience for all. Read more here.
About the Northwoods League: The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Having completed its’ 31st season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in history with 26 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 370 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 two-time World Series Champion Max Scherzer (TEX), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (STL) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (ATL). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2023 World Series Champion, MLB All-Star, MLB Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner and two-time All-MLB first team shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). League games are viewable live on Northwoods League+ (at watch.northwoodsleague.com), ESPN+, and the Northwoods League Network.
Leveraging the 31-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League beginning play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024. The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play. Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.
