By Mitch Bach

2018 coaching staff taking shape

Nov 1, 2017 | 2:49 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Winter has yet to begin, but we’re already getting a taste as to what the Medicine Hat Mavericks coaching staff will look like for 2018.

The WMBL club announced in a press release that two coaches from last year will return, one of which upgraded to Skipper duties.

Andrew Murphy will take over field managing from Mike Thompson, who will not be returning next season.

“The Mavericks are a first class organization with unbelievably hard working people making everything happen,” Murphy said in the release. “I have bounced around to different summer leagues over the past 3 years and the WMBL is easily the most competitive and well-balanced league I’ve coached in.”

Murphy held the role of 1st base/assistant coach last year, helping the Mavericks to a 27-21 record and third place finish in the WMBL’s Western Conference. The Mavs ultimately bowed out in the second round of the post-season to Edmonton.

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“We came close last year, which just makes it more exciting for us this summer,” he stated. “I’m looking forward to watching our guys competing every night. It’s fun to watch how much player’s improve from game to game.”

Swannack returned to the team last season as pitching coach and assistant GM after watching the team from the Athletic Park rafters for a few seasons. He helped the Mavericks to their most recent league title in 2014.

“Over the course of 4 years, I have been so proud of the passion from each set of guys, whether they’re new or returning players,” stated Swannack in the same release. “It’s always a challenge to get guys who have never played together to be a cohesive group, but I think that is the goal of any coach. Once we have that underway, I know our team can be unstoppable.”

Mavericks owner Greg Morrison notes the team plans on adding one more full-time coach into the fold by the end of 2017.