September 18, 2011

Rebels Hire New Skipper

NEW MARKET - The New Market Rebels have signed John Combs to be their head coach for the 2012 season.

Combs has served as an assistant coach with the Rebels since 2008 and is currently the assistant coach at the University of Rio Grande (Ohio).

"I'm thrilled that John will be our head coach next season," Rebels President and General Manager Bruce Alger said. "John knows the league and I believe that he'll take us to the next competitive level."

"I'm very excited for the opportunity," said Combs. "New Market has become a second home for me. I've spent four years there already and I hope to spend many more there."

Combs will emphasize pitching and defense and is looking to add speed to the Rebels' offensive arsenal.

Corey Paluga, who led the club the past two seasons, was unable to return because of increased responsibilities at Stevens Institute of Technology where he is the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator. "I'm very excited for John," said Paluga. "He is dedicated and will continue to improve on what we've accomplished the last few seasons."

Combs is a native of Hillsboro, Ohio.

The Rebels finished the 2011 season 22-22 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to eventual champion Covington.

The New Market Rebels are members of the Valley Baseball League, an NACSB sanctioned 12-team collegiate summer league in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

The Valley League is scheduled to release its 2012 schedule by January.