Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that field manager Travis Kiewiet has stepped aside from the position and that Tony Manville has been named Waterloo’s skipper for the 2015 season. Manville becomes the 10th manager in Bucks history.
Kiewiet guided the Bucks for the last three seasons, compiling a 130-81 record. The Dike, Iowa resident was named the Northwoods League’s Manager of the Year in 2013 after setting a new league record for wins with 51 and guiding Waterloo to their first trip to the playoffs since 2002. Over the past two seasons, the Bucks have the most wins of any summer-collegiate team in the nation.
Kiewiet sits third in team history in managerial wins, sitting behind Eric Snider (161-86) and Darrell Handelsman (160-108). Prior to being named Waterloo manager in October of 2011, Kiewiet was a member of the team’s coaching staff from 2008 through 2011, working under former managers Jason Nell and Pete Lauritson.
“I have had a great experience the past seven years overall and the past three as the field manager working for the Bucks organization,” said Kiewiet. “To put together a winning team as well as managing the team in the summer takes an abundance of time. As much as I've liked being part of that process, I would like to be able to spend more time with my family. They have been very supportive of my time spent with the Bucks and now it's time for me to support them and I couldn't be more excited. A huge thank you needs to go out to the team’s previous owners, John and Steve Marso, General Manager Dan Corbin, the host families, and the fans of the Cedar Valley for the support that was given to me during my time here with the Bucks. I would like to wish the best for the Bucks organization and to the new ownership group for the 2015 season. The partnership between the two should enhance the overall fan experience which I can't wait to take in next summer.”
“I want to thank Travis for his service to the team for the last seven years,” said Corbin. “His organizational skills, drive to win, and in-depth knowledge of the NWL made him one of the best managers in team history. I will definitely miss his presence around the ballpark.”
Manville recently completed his second season as the pitching coach for the Bucks (2013-14), working alongside Kiewiet. A native of New Lenox, Illinois, Manville is currently in his third season as a coach at Robert Morris University in Chicago. Last season, under Manville’s tutelage, Waterloo’s pitching staff finished with 547 strikeouts, the most in the North Division.
“When Travis informed me that he would be stepping down, we immediately looked in-house for his replacement,” said Corbin. “With the success we’ve had over the past few years combined with my knowledge of Tony and his handling of players, it became clear that he was the best choice to lead the Bucks as field manager in 2015. I look forward to the 21st season of Bucks baseball with Tony at the helm.”
As an athlete, Manville was a pitcher at both the University of Iowa and Northern Illinois University. Born March 29, 1989, Manville played for the Hawkeyes from 2008-2009 before transferring to NIU before the 2010 season. For the Huskies, Manville was an All-Mid-American Conference second team honoree in 2011 and was named to the 2012 All-MAC Pre-Season second team.
During his collegiate career, Manville played summer ball with the NWL’s Mankato MoonDogs in 2009. With Mankato, Manville went 2-2 with a 3.95 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 20 appearances.
Manville attended Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago. There, Manville was a two-time first team All-Conference honoree, finishing with a 27-8 career record with eight saves.
"I am very honored and excited to be the next field manager for the Bucks,” said Manville. “I have enjoyed my time in Waterloo and look forward to taking over the reins and continuing what Travis Kiewiet has built the last few years. I am very happy to take this next step in my career with the Bucks and know there are great things to come in 2015!"
Manville becomes the 10th 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), Jason Nell (2010-11), and Kiewiet (2012-14).
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MANAGER |
RECORD |
AWARD |
YEAR |
|
Eric Snider |
161-86 |
1996 – NWL CHAMPIONSHIP, 1ST/2ND HALF CHAMPS |
1995-98 |
|
1996 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR |
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1997 – NWL RUNNERS UP, 2ND HALF CHAMPS |
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1998 – 1ST/2ND HALF CHAMPS |
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|
Darrell Handelsman |
160-108 |
1999 – 2ND HALF CHAMPS |
1999-2002 |
|
2000 – NWL RUNNERS-UP, 1ST HALF CHAMPS |
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2000 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR |
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2001 – 1ST HALF CHAMPS |
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2001 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR |
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2002 – NWL CHAMPIONSHIP, 2ND HALF CHAMPS |
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|
Andy Haines |
52-76 |
2003-04 |
|
|
Jason Shockey |
22-46 |
2005 |
|
|
Corey Allen |
28-40 |
2006 |
|
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Dan Fitzgerald |
29-38 |
2007 |
|
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Pete Lauritson |
57-77 |
2008-09 |
|
|
Jason Nell |
65-75 |
2010-11 |
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|
Travis Kiewiet |
130-81 |
2013 – 1ST/2ND HALF CHAMPS |
2012-14 |
|
2013 – NWL MANAGER OF THE YEAR |
The Bucks 2014 season is complete, with the team finishing the year with the third-best record in the Northwoods League. The Bucks will be back in action in late-spring of 2015. The 2015 NWL schedule is expected to be released this fall. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
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The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 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 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET) and MLB All-Stars Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.