Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks, members of the Northwoods League, have announced that Field Manager Travis Kiewiet will be returning for his second season as the team’s skipper.  Kiewiet (pronounced KEE-wit) was promoted to Manager last fall after serving four seasons on Waterloo bench as a Coach.
 

“I would like to thank the owners, John and Steve Marso, and General Manager Dan Corbin for the opportunity to be the Field Manager of the Bucks for the 2013 season,” said Kiewiet. “To be a Field Manager for a Northwoods League organization is a huge honor and I’m excited to get the chance to improve on last season’s 34-35 record.  Dan and I have already been working hard on bringing the best possible players to Waterloo and a Northwoods title back to the Cedar Valley.”

Kiewiet, a Dike, Iowa resident, compiled a 34-35 record in his first year as the team’s Manager.  Under Kiewiet, the Bucks finished with a .493 winning percentage, their best since 2004.  In addition, the Bucks finished in the top half of the entire NWL’s standings for the first time since 2002.  Kiewiet also led the team to an 8-2 record versus the team’s rivals, the Rochester Honkers.
 

Under Kiewiet’s watch in ‘12, the Bucks had one of their most prolific offenses in team history. Waterloo set a new NWL record for RBI with 406. Bucks batters also set new team records in the following categories: runs (465), total bases (1,027), hits (681), and home runs (54).  In addition, the ’12 Waterloo squad was not shut out during the entire season.
 

“The Bucks are excited to have Travis return to the Riverfront Stadium dugout for another season,” said General Manager Dan Corbin. “His know-how in both recruiting and his general understanding of the NWL will reap benefits for our team in 2013. Travis has a great work ethic, cares about his players, and shares the team’s vision of developing players into future professionals.”
 

Currently, Kiewiet is a physical education teacher at Hudson Middle School and High School. Prior to joining the Bucks as Bench Coach in 2008, Kiewiet was the head baseball coach at Dike-New Hartford High School in 2007 and associate head baseball coach at Cedar Falls High School in 2006. Kiewiet also served as the C.F.H.S. assistant varsity coach during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. Before his work with the Wolverines and Tigers, Kiewiet was the head coach at Hudson High School in 2002 and 2003 where he directed his ’02 team to the class 2A state baseball tournament.  Kiewiet resides in Dike, Iowa with his wife Teresa and three children Marley, Parker, and Taylor.
 

Kiewiet is the ninth manager in Waterloo Bucks history, following Bucks Baseball Hall of Fame member Eric Snider (1995-98), NWL All-Decade Team manager Darrell Handelsman (1999-2002), Andy Haines (2003-04), Jason Shockey (2005), Corey Allen (2006), Dan Fitzgerald (2007), Pete Lauritson (2008-09), and Nell (2010-11).

 

FIELD MANAGER	YEAR(S)	REGULAR SEASON RECORD	POST-SEASON RECORD	AWARDS
Eric Snider	1995-98	158-87 (.645)	3-4 (.429)	1996 – NWL CHAMPIONSHIP, 1ST/2ND HALF CHAMPS 1996 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1997 – NWL RUNNERS UP, 2ND HALF CHAMPS 1997 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 1998 – 1ST/2ND HALF CHAMPS 2006 – BUCKS BASEBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
Darrell Handelsman	1999-2002	160-108 (.597)	7-8 (.467)	1999 – 2ND HALF CHAMPS 2000 – NWL RUNNERS-UP, 1ST HALF CHAMPS 2000 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2001 – 1ST HALF CHAMPS 2001 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2002 – NWL CHAMPIONSHIP, 2ND HALF CHAMPS
Andy Haines	2003-04	52-76 (.406)
Jason Shockey	2005	22-46 (.324)
Corey Allen	2006	28-40 (.412)
Dan Fitzgerald	2007	29-38 (.433)
Pete Lauritson	2008-09	57-77 (.425)
Jason Nell	2010-11	65-75 (.464)
Travis Kiewiet	2012	34-35 (.493)

 

The 2013 Northwoods League schedule is expected to be released in November. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.