BlueSox retaining coaches for 2010
Manager Jason Wuerfel and assistant coach Glenn Sharrar are returning to the Butler BlueSox in 2010.
The signings were announced earlier this week by Leo Trich, general manager of the Prospect League club.
"I'm thrilled to get both of these guys back," Trich said. "Not only did they produce a winning team on the field, I didn't have one off-field issue to deal with involving any of our players all year."
Wuerfel, 29, guided the BlueSox to a 28-26 record in their inaugural season, finishing two games behind Chillicothe (Ohio) in the Eastern Division.
"Jason isn't that far removed from playing college ball himself," Trich said. "He understands players in the summer league situations and knows how to handle them."
Wuerfel lives in the Indianapolis area and interviewed for a managerial opening with the Frontier League's River City Rascals, who play near St. Louis, during the offseason.
He also has served as hitting and bench coach with that league's Traverse City (Mich.) Beach Bums.
"Just like the players, I'm looking to advance my career as well," Wuerfel said. "I would think my next step is managing in the Frontier League somewhere or become an assistant coach in a college baseball program.
"But I know I've got a good situation in Butler. We received tremendous support from the fans and community, and it's a good place to live for the summer."
While Wuerfel was unable to commit to returning as BlueSox skipper until recently, he did work with Trich in assembling the 2010 roster.
"I'm not surprised we only have two players returning and I'm not surprised they're both local guys," Wuerfel said. Pitchers Brian Warheit (Butler) and Derek Peluso (Seneca Valley) are the lone returnees from last year's roster.
"Some players get homesick and want to play closer to home," Wuerfel added. "Others might want to see the world a little more. These players only get three summers to do this.
"It's like playing hooky from real life. You go somewhere out of town, don't pay rent and play baseball all day."
Sharrar, a 2002 Seneca Valley graduate and former Butler County Community College and Lock Haven University player, will continue his duties as pitching coach.Sharrar also is interviewing for the vacant Slippery Rock High head coaching position. He was an assistant with the Rockets last spring."The BlueSox have been a great experience for me," Sharrar said. "I definitely want to build a coaching career in baseball and I'm meeting a lot of people."He'll also be working with a lot of talent next summer. Many of the pitchers on the BlueSox roster are Division I players who throw between 88 and 92 mph."We have a lot of big bodies with live arms," Wuerfel said. "A lot of these guys will be future draft picks into pro ball.""I know the talent level will be higher," Sharrar said. "Working with these guys will be a lot of fun."
