Waynesboro Generals Season Preview
In 2014, the Waynesboro Generals will try to find the spark that led to a championship last year after a .500 regular season. That spark may come from a new general manager and a new head coach, as well as a revamped roster. General manager Tyler Hoffman (Bridgewater College ’14) and head coach D.J. King (Shorter College ‘06) took the reins for the franchise late last year to scout and recruit players for this year’s team.
“Tyler and D.J. bring character to the team as well as love for the game of baseball,” said director of operations David Gauldin III. “They have great character and are really good guys. It was a no-brainer to bring D.J. on board. From the first interview, we could tell it was an instant fit.”
The Generals will start their quest to repeat May 31 against the New Market Rebels at Rebel Park in a semi-final rematch. The first home game will be the next day against last year’s championship opponent, the Strasburg Express, at Kate Collins Field.
Newly graduated from Bridgewater College, Hoffman is just a year older than some of the players and only recently ended his collegiate career (Bridgewater was eliminated from the NCCA Division III South Regionals earlier this week).
“Being young certainly gives me and the team an advantage,” Hoffman said. “I feel like I am able to relate to the players.”
Head coach King takes over for Mike Bocock in the head coach role. Currently an assistant coach at University of South Carolina-Aiken, King has a variety of coaching experiences, including assistant coaching positions at Kennesaw State University and Andrew (Ga.) College, as well as a summer season with the Dubuque Waves of the Mississippi River Valley League. He has two main goals for his young players.
“I want to teach the guys a couple of things to pass on from one generation to the next,” said King. “Players should play the game the right way and take ownership in their own career. The player should take the initiative in his own program and not rely on a coach to hold his hand.”
King had nothing but praise for the work Hoffman has done so far in building a team for him to coach. “Tyler is the real deal and I can’t say enough about the job he’s done putting the team together,” said King. “I doubt there is a guy as dedicated as he is.”
Gauldin, is in his fourth season with the Generals, says he appreciates the challenge of forming a new competitive ballclub each year: “Every summer you get a whole new group of guys and you never know how things will turn out. I am excited about our roster and can’t wait to get things going and see how things will unfold.”
The roster features one true local prospect. Outfielder Terrell Thompson (Virginia Intermont College/Waynesboro, Va.), is a player with speed who can also draw walks. This season, Thompson led the Cobras with three triples in 85 at-bats and an on-base percentage of .402.
King and Hoffman, both former catchers, are anxious to see how the two senior backstops on the roster will play. Jordan Savinon (University of Central Florida/Clearwater, Fla.) and Darryl Knight (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University/Orlando, Fla.) will compete to start. Savinon has hit two home runs in 183 at-bats with UCF as of the end of the regular season. UCF begins play in the American Athletic Conference tournament this week. Knight, whom Hoffman calls a “physical specimen,” has hit 15 home runs in 213 at-bats and leads Embry-Riddle in home runs and most other offensive categories.
Heading the pitching staff will be rising junior Marcus Shippey (Shippensburg University/Bedford, Pa.). The big righty turned in a 2.43 ERA in 63 innings and led the Raiders as their ace.
In the dugout will be assistant coaches Matt Williams (Valdosta State University ’13) and Josh Tutwiler (Old Dominion University ’12). Williams was the first person King called to help him coach. Tutwiler, who starred at local powerhouse Turner Ashby High School before embarking on his collegiate career, played with the Staunton Braves in 2011. A former all-ACC catcher, he is currently in his second year as an assistant coach at William and Mary.
With a fifth championship under their belt, the Generals will work hard in 2014 with new young prospects and some pressure to perform.
“The fans will expect more now of course, but if a championship isn’t the goal every season, then something is wrong,” said Hoffman.
—Dom Calandra
Photo by HaymarketJoePhotography.com
