Rebellion close in on new manager
The Pennsylvania Rebellion softball team narrowed its candidates for manager to two individuals.
And expectations are the person selected will last longer than 12 games.
Owner Stu Williams said in a telephone interview this week he hopes to make the announcement soon, but would not reveal the names of the two candidates.
“We’re working hard to find the right person for the job,” said Williams, who also owns the Washington Wild Things baseball team that shares Consol Energy Park with the Rebellion.
“It’s more difficult than you think.”
The original manager, California University head coach Rick Bertagnolli, resigned after 12 games because of a dispute with management. The team was 2-10 at the time and taken over by assistant coach Stacey Rice. Her assistant was Stephani Moore, who also serves as Bertagnoli’s assistant at Cal. In September, Rice’s contract expired, and she was not offered a renewal. Rice is now in her first year as head coach at Slippery Rock University.
The Rebellion finished the season with a 9-41 record and were eliminated by eventual champion USSSA Pride in the first round of the NPF Championship Series in Hoover, Ala., in August.
Williams said it was unlikely the organization would hire a Division I coach because of scheduling conflicts.
“There is a lot of interest, but when you get down to the details, it just doesn’t work out,” Williams said. “It’s like in Major League Baseball, the people who have done this (type of coaching) is not very large. But we’ve narrowed it down to two, and the timetable to hire someone is as soon as possible. If we could work out the details today, it would be today.”
Williams said the Rebellion wanted a manager with experience at this level of play.
“That’s not to mean it has to come from (one of the three other teams in the league),” he said, “but someone who has dealt with (this level of talent). We need someone who can come in and connect with the community.
“We’re hiring someone to build a team. Whoever we hire will have a lot of leeway. Ultimately, we’ll hire someone with the right set of skills.”
In other issues:
Williams said he was pleased with attendance for the first season and said the organization was supported by The Coury Financial Group of Pittsburgh and Consol Energy Inc.
“At the recent league meeting, I was told we had the highest attendance in the league,” said Williams. “Was I happy with the attendance? I won’t be happy until all the seats are filled for every game.”
Williams said CBS Sports made a presentation to owners that would increase the presence of the league.
“They are looking at a couple options,” Williams said. “It will make the exposure stronger and earlier in the season.”
Williams said the league discussed expansion but would only say, “It’s something the league wants to do.”
The championship series will remain in Hoover and Williams said the league is preparing to make a more concerted effort to increase attendance for games.
“The stadium is magnificent and we believe it will grow,” he said. “I hope we will be there a little longer this season.”
Williams said last season was a good learning experience. He felt the organization did a lot of this right, but can improve on that.
“I think I appreciate more the talent level on the field,” he said. “Seeing their skill level was an eye-opener. We lost our head coach early. His assistants, who were knowledgeable and good leaders stepped in and I learned what they (meant to the team).”