Two years ago, the Willmar Stingers named Hawaii graduate assistant Freddy Smith as its newest field manager.

Since then, Smith has taken the Stingers to the stratosphere.

The hard work from Smith was recognized in a big way on Friday as he was named the 2023 Northwoods League Manager of the Year.

It’s an honor that comes after Smith led the Stingers to the best record in the Northwoods League and a second consecutive playoff appearance.

Smith mentioned that the recognition from the league is a testament to how the Willmar community has rallied around him over the past two years.

“It’s a byproduct of the people in the organization and how they carry themselves,” Smith said. “Willmar has been a very welcoming franchise for me, I’ve been fortunate to be in good hands with Ryan Voz and Marc Jerzak who have made this a second home for me.”

That community also includes the host families who have made the job easier for Smith.

“We have some of the best host families in the league and probably the country,” Smith said. “In my opinion, it plays a big part in the players success

Smith led the Stingers to a Great Plains West first half championship and has Willmar on the verge of repeating in the second half as the Stingers lead the St. Cloud Rox by one and a half games with two left to play.

It would be the first time in Stingers history where they win both the first and second half.

After winning the first half, Smith and his coaching staff received the honor to coach the Great Plains West in the Great Plains All-Star game.

Having joined the Northwoods League in 2020 as an assistant coach with the Waterloo Bucks, Smith has nothing but praise for the league that gave him the opportunity to do what he loves everyday.

“This league has been so good to me ever since I joined,” Smith said. “It’s such a great league for development on so many levels, to get your foot in the door and get great experience.”

Now having seen that experience pay off with a Manager of the Year Award, Smith referred to it as a high honor in his coaching career.

However, it’s a career that’s far from over.

“As a young coach I just hope to get as much experience as I can,” Smith said. “A goal for myself is to be a head coach before the age of 40 so it’s up there in accomplishments in my career but I have a long way to go.”

Smith has also been fortunate to have a great coaching staff by his side since the start of last season.

Assistant coaches Mason Rapp, Michael Newstrom and Josh Teichroew have all played a vital role in both the success of Smith and the Stingers as a team.

“Mason Rapp has been here since day one, he’s been our hitting coach, our third base coach and catching coach and he’s had a big impact in my two years here,” Smith said. “Michael Newstrom and Josh Teichroew have tag teamed the pitching staff and really let me and Coach Rapp do our thing with the hitters and have done a great job developing the pitching staff.”

All a young but motivated Smith needed to make this magic happen was a chance and after owners Ryan Voz and Marc Jerzak granted that opportunity, the results have spoken for themselves.

“I give all credit to the opportunity to do this job,” Smith said, “The opportunity that Marc and Ryan gave me a couple years ago, they took a chance on a young kid who didn’t have a lot of experience but a lot of energy and it’s worked out.”

For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.

The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.

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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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 325 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 World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.