Why Chase Rowe is viewed as the perfect fit to coach Mars baseball after years in pro, college ball
As Chase Rowe’s college baseball playing career was winding down, he was determined to stay involved in the sport in one way or another.
“It’s all I knew and I was lucky enough to be hired as head baseball coach at LaRoche College when I was 23,” he said. “I had a lot to learn at that point.”
Over the last two decades, the 2001 Knoch graduate soaked up knowledge at various levels. He led La Roche to 390 wins in 14 seasons and was named conference coach of the year eight teams with the Redhawks.
He has also served as a scout for three Major League franchises — the Rockies, Marlins and Mets.
Rowe will now bring his knowledge of the game to Mars baseball after he was approved Aug. 18 to take over as head coach of the Planets. He succeeds Jason Thompson, who was not retained after guiding Mars to five WPIAL playoff appearances in six seasons.
“I was a big supporter of Jason’s, but when the job became open, I thought I’d give it a run,” Rowe said. “I’ve coached 75 to 90% of Mars’ players since they were 11 years old through my Marucci Spikes organization. We have travel teams for ages 9 to 17, play in tournaments all over the place.”
Rowe, who starred in college at Slippery Rock University, lives with his wife and four children in the Mars Area School District.
Aside from his familiarity with the Planets’ roster, Mars athletic director Zach Matusak was impressed with Rowe’s resume, which also includes a stint as the minor league hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers.
“Chase is very structured and demands accountability,” he said. “He’s a proven winner and has experience at the highest level.”
Rowe has helped many local players reach the next level — both college and pro baseball — through Battleground Baseball, a 20,000-square foot training facility in Adams Township. That group includes Butler grads and recent draftees Kyle Casteel (White Sox) and Madden Clement (Royals).
But taking over a high school program offers Rowe something he’s missed since leaving La Roche in 2021.
“What we do with the travel teams, it’s an environment centered on helping individual players improve their stock for college or pro teams,” he said. “With high school, it’s team-oriented and I’m looking forward to the competitive aspect of it.”
