Genesee Rapids Announce Coaches for 2017 Season
The Rapids have announced the coaching staff for the upcoming season.
Joe Mina of Forest Hill, MD will be the Head Coach. For the last 13 years Coach Joe has been involved in coaching both College and High School Baseball. He has been the Health andWellness Coordinator for the Hartford County Sheriff’s Office. Joe is also a retired Deputy Sheriff, having served as a Captain with the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in Bel Air, MD for 30 years. Coach Joe has been the Philadelphia Phillies Field Manager, for the Phillies Baseball Academy for 15 years as well as holding the same position for the Washington Nationals for the last 3 years. Joe visited Houghton in the Spring and is excited about the opportunity to coach the Rapids this summer. He is described by people who know him well as “a man of integrity.”
Dr. Joe Kuschell from Redding CA. will serve as the Pitching Coach for the 2017 Rapids. Joe is a retired pharmacist who has spent his spare time coaching pitchers and outfielders at both the college and high school level. In recent years he has been involved at Simpson College, USC and is certified as a pitcher instructor. This past Spring Coach Joe conducted a Pitching Clinic for members of a Irish National Baseball Team. He is currently the Pitching Coach at Northland Community Technical College in Minnesota. Coach Joe likes Proverbs 10:19,20 as it encourages a person to share their faith and let the Spirit of the Lord work through them.
Bryan Hodge from Thorton, CO. Brian recently graduated from Houghton College, where he was the starting catcher and finished his Senior year with a batting average of .327. As the First Base/Bench Coach, Hodge will be responsible for keeping players in the dugout focused on the game and encouraging fellow players and providing advice to runners at first base. He will also be responsible with players to conduct the Rapids Annual Baseball Camp in July.
Joining Coach Hodge will be 27 colleges players from 16 States throughout the US. Players will arrive in Houghton on Tuesday, May 30.
The Genesee Rapids are pleased to announce that Vinnie Santarsiero, a starting pitcher for the 2015 Rapids was recently signed by the Los Angelos Dodgers. Vinnie has been assigned to the Dodgers’ Single A affiliate, the Ogden Raptors in Ogden, Utah. In commenting on his signing Vinnie said, “To God be the glory; I’m so excited for the next part of my journey. Professional baseball here I come!" The entire Rapids organization wishes Vinnie God’s Blessing as he begins this exciting adventure.
Pictured is Vinnie Santarserio, 2015 Genesee Rapids Pitcher of the year receiving a signed baseball from General Manager, Ralph Kerr.