Pulaski River Turtles announce coaching staff
With a new baseball season less than two months away, the Pulaski River Turtles are unveiling the on-field staff that will lead the team’s 2023 Appalachian League campaign. Staff members joining third-year manager Clark Crist include third-year hitting coach Roger Hill, with pitching coach Chris Monroe and former MLB pro
With a new baseball season less than two months away, the Pulaski River Turtles are unveiling the on-field staff that will lead the team’s 2023 Appalachian League campaign.
Staff members joining third-year manager Clark Crist include third-year hitting coach Roger Hill, with pitching coach Chris Monroe and former MLB pro Tommy Gregg set to debut with the River Turtles this season.
Clark Crist
Having notched a pair of top-two finishes in the Appalachian League East division in his first two seasons of competition as the manager of the Pulaski franchise, Crist is returning for his third season at the helm of the River Turtles. The Tucson, Ariz., native’s playing career included a collegiate National Championship as the starting shortstop for the 1980 University of Arizona team. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 14th round of the 1980 MLB June Amateur Draft, Crist spent four seasons in Minor League Baseball, eventually serving as a player-coach for the Mariners' Double-A affiliate, the Chattanooga Lookouts, from 1982-85.
Crist’s Major League tenure included scouting roles for the Houston Astros (1985-92), Boston Red Sox (1992-94), Cleveland Indians (1994-95), New York Mets (1995-97), St. Louis Cardinals (1997-2006) and the Cincinnati Reds (2006-15). Crist oversaw the signing of many notable names during his career as an MLB scout, including All-Stars Kenny Lofton and Albert Pujols, Covelli “Coco” Crisp, Mike Leake, Tommy Pham, Chris Duncan and Amir Garrett.
Roger Hill
Veteran River Turtles hitting coach Roger Hill is in his second season as the head coach of the West Los Angeles College baseball team; he had been an assistant coach for the Wildcats since 2014. Hill previously coached at Compton Community College and Washington Preparatory High School in California, as well as two seasons in the Cleveland Indians minor league system. As a player, Hill played two seasons at West Los Angeles College before earning a scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he played two seasons. Hill was drafted in the 14th round of the 1982 MLB Draft by the Mariners and played five professional seasons.
Chris Monroe
Chris Monroe joins the Pulaski River Turtles after completing his first season as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Saint Anselm College. Monroe began his coaching career at Framingham State in 2015 after pitching for the Rams. Following his stint at his alma mater he went on to be a volunteer assistant coach at Western Illinois in 2021 and an assistant coach at Spoon River College in 2022. Monroe has prior experience coaching summer collegiate ball in the Northwoods League, New England Collegiate Baseball League and Prospect League.
Tommy Gregg
Former MLB outfielder and first baseman Tommy Gregg brings a lifetime of baseball experience to the Pulaski River Turtles. Gregg was a standout football player and baseball player for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons before being drafted in the seventh round of the 1985 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He went on to play 14 pro seasons, nine of which were in the Big Leagues. He played for the Pirates, Atlanta Braves, Reds and Florida Marlins. Following his playing career he went on to coach for 20 years in the Minor Leagues, including 15 seasons at the Triple-A level. He has also been a hitting coach in the American Association. Gregg is a member of the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame.
Southwest Virginia natives Mabe, Fuhrman rejoin River Turtles for 2023 season
PULASKI, Va. - After spending the 2022 season with the River Turtles, pitcher Avery Mabe and outfielder Connor Fuhrman will return to Calfee Park for the 2023 campaign. Mabe, a graduate of George Wythe High School in Wytheville, Va., enjoyed the added benefit of playing close to home last season.
Calfee Park announces 2023 promotional nights calendar
In conjunction with the launch of individual game night ticket sales, Calfee Park Baseball, Inc. and the Pulaski River Turtles have released their 2023 promotional nights calendar. The expansive list of promotional nights includes traditional favorites such as Agriculture Night, the return of the popular Saddle-Up Sunday cowboy-themed night and
River Turtles launching community service program in 2023
The Pulaski River Turtles have partnered with Foresight Design Services to introduce a new community service initiative benefiting the Town of Pulaski. Comprised of Pulaski River Turtles players, team members and front office staff, the “Pitch-In Program” will debut in June with the initial mission of roadside beautification on streets
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Crist returning for third season as manager of River Turtles
PULASKI, Va. – The Pulaski River Turtles are hoping that the third time’s the charm with manager Clark Crist. Having notched a pair of top-two finishes in the Appalachian League East division in his first two seasons of competition as the manager of the Pulaski franchise, Crist is returning for
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Pulaski River Turtles release 2023 schedule
PULASKI, Va. – A new season of Pulaski River Turtles baseball is slated to begin Tuesday, June 6, on the road against the Bluefield Ridge Runners, with Opening Night at Calfee Park scheduled for Thursday, June 8, against the Danville Otterbots. Released today, the 2023 Pulaski River Turtles schedule includes
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
River Turtles finish home slate, sweep Otterbots
On Thursday night, in their home finale, the Pulaski River Turtles swept the Danville Otterbots with an 8-7 win. Despite Danville’s late surge, Pulaski’s hot start propelled it to a win in its final home game of the 2022 season. Appy League home run leader Christian Smith hitting a homer
Power and pitching leads Pulaski over Danville
Dominant pitching and a grand slam from Christian Smith hurled Pulaski to an 8-2 win over the Danville Otterbots on Wednesday. Danville got on the board early after a ground out from designated hitter Corbin Lanowitz brought in a run to put them up 1-0 after the first frame. Pulaski
River Turtles see fortunes reversed in Game 2 loss to Ridge Runners
The Pulaski River Turtles fell to the Bluefield Ridge Runners, 16-5, in Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader. Spectators saw a completely different game played in the second half of the doubleheader, as Bluefield was on the offense this time around. Just like Game 1, Bluefield struck early. An RBI infield
Pulaski ride big inning to Game 1 win in doubleheader Monday
Pulaski’s offense shined Monday, as the River Turtles took down the Bluefield Ridge Runners, 13-4, in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Just like the last doubleheader at home, Pulaski had a dominant inning to take Game 1. Bluefield started the game off with a bang, where a three-run no-doubter from
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Fondtain, Herrmann receive Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Pulaski's TJ Fondtain (San Diego State) and Danville's Andrew Herrmann (Wofford) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 18-24, respectively. Fondtain hit .542 (13-for-24) with three home runs and nine RBI in six games played for the
River Turtles split doubleheader with Kingsport
Game 1 The Pulaski River Turtles took down the Kingsport Axmen 7-2 in Game 1 of a Sunday doubleheader. The game was on track to be a low-scoring affair until Pulaski exploded for six runs in the sixth. Kingsport got the board first, where an E-1 in the top of
River Turtles fall to Elizabethton in high-scoring affair
The Pulaski River Turtles fell to the Elizabethton River Riders, 22-16, on Friday night. The teams combined for 38 hits and 38 runs in an offensive shootout. Elizabethton got on the board quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first. A wild pitch that brought in right fielder
River Turtles take down River Riders, 8-7
In a hard-fought battle, the Pulaski River Turtles take down the Elizabethton River Riders, 8-7, on Thursday. Pulaski got on the board as quickly as you can, as leadoff hitter Rodney Green Jr. homered the first pitch he saw over the right field wall. A groundout by third baseman Ryland
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to