New Fireflies Manager Continues Chase of Baseball Life
David Noworyta is no ordinary first-time manager. The former Detroit Tigers farmhand is only 28 years old and in the midst of a baseball-lifer journey that started when he was just 12. Many players and fans dream of winning a World Series. To the Noworyta family, that dream became a
David Noworyta is no ordinary first-time manager. The former Detroit Tigers farmhand is only 28 years old and in the midst of a baseball-lifer journey that started when he was just 12.
Many players and fans dream of winning a World Series. To the Noworyta family, that dream became a reality in 2008. David Noworyta was 12 when his father, Steven Noworyta, a Special Assistant to Player Development for the Phillies, celebrated Philadelphia’s first World Series title in 38 years. The elder Noworyta was accompanied by his son David, who starts his managerial career when the Columbia Fireflies host the Charleston RiverDogs on April 8 at Segra Park.
In a 2021 MLB.com article, David told Greg Rachac, “I was at the perfect age. I was in the seventh grade. I was old enough to know what was going on, but still young enough to really be in awe of it. That was the coolest thing ever.”
The journey as a 12-year-old took Noworyta from a playing career through high school, to college in Hawaii and then to a minor league career that was cut short. At that crossroad, Noworyta's penchant for seeing all aspects of the game as a catcher prepared him for a turn of fate into coaching.
Noworyta was selected in the 37th round of the 2014 MLB Draft out of Holy Cross High School in Delran, New Jersey by the Kansas City Royals. At the time, he declined to sign and instead chose to attend the University of Hawaii to continue to develop into his 6’4” frame. He spent four years honing his craft before signing a free agent deal with the Tigers. That meant trading the Pacific islands for Lake Parker, Fla. to start a career he had been dreaming about since 2008.
The COVID-19 Pandemic affected a lot of people. The 25-year-old catcher was affected as well. Noworyta was released by the Tigers on July 3, 2020, just months after the global outbreak halted the world and canceled Minor League Baseball indefinitely.
After the dust settled, the backstop found a new home. Noworyta journeyed across the country from the Tigers Spring Training Facility in Lakeland, Florida to Independent Baseball in Billings, Montana, where he joined the Mustangs roster.
After just one season in Big Sky country, it was time for David’s career to take another twist and he moved from behind home plate to the dugout. The twist is that the organization that drafted him in 2014 elected to hire him as an assistant hitting coach.
In a way, Nowortya’s game had always been modeled more towards being a coach than playing.
“I was almost unselfish to a fault during my career. While I was catching, I was worried a lot more about the pitcher’s success than my own,” Noworyta explained. “I was always told I would be a good coach someday by different managers because I did care about that a lot more than maybe my own success.”
After one year in HIgh-A, Nowortya moved up to Triple-A. Two years ago, Noworyta served as the Omaha Storm Chasers bench coach behind legendary manager Mike Jirschele. “Jirsch”, as he is affectionately known, has accumulated 1,365 wins as a manager, which is the seventh highest among active managers. In 2024, Noworyta worked as the Storm Chasers’ assistant hitting coach en route to an International League Championship. The coach received his Championship ring in Arizona March 15 as he checked off another milestone in his bucket list.
“We’re excited for David to take this next step in his coaching career. He’s been in and around the game of baseball his whole life, from his childhood and playing career, to his first few years as a coach in Quad Cities and Omaha,” Royals Director of Player Development Mitch Maier said. “Those experiences will continue to be the foundation for David as he takes on his first year as a manager leading our team in Columbia. His care for the players, curiosity to keep growing and learning, and passion to develop our players will make David a great manager this year in Columbia.”
Now, Noworyta is at the helm of the Columbia Fireflies, ready to begin his own legacy. A legacy to continue to pave the road for others to climb that lifelong baseball ladder.
The Fireflies open the 2025 season at Augusta on April 4. The Fireflies start a six-game home stand against the Charleston RiverDogs at April 8 at 7:05 pm. Tickets for all six games at Segra Park are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Help Us Honor Our Heroes on Military Appreciation Night
Dear Fireflies Family & Faithful, On Friday, May 2 at 7:05 PM, we’re proud to host Military Appreciation Night at Segra Park — a special evening presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina with support from WIS 10. This night is about more than baseball. It’s our opportunity to honor
Fireflies Sweep Doubleheader to Win Five-Straight
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies swept the Carolina Mudcats 10-4 and 3-2 in a doubleheader Friday night at Segra Park. The pair of wins increased Columbia’s winning streak to five games as the team improved to 13-6 on the season. The Fireflies are now tied with the Carolina Mudcats for the
Join the Fireflies for Sensory Safe Sunday April 27
Fans can purchase tickets for Sensory Safe Night here.
Stone Russell’s Bat Lifts Fireflies Past Mudcats, 2-1
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies earned a gritty 2-1 win over the Carolina Mudcats Thursday night, and it was third baseman Stone Russell who carried the torch on both sides of the field. Russell went 3-for-4 at the plate and delivered both of Columbia’s RBI singles, including the go-ahead knock
April 23 Game vs Mudcats Postponed
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies games vs the Carolina Mudcats scheduled for Wednesday, April 23 has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a doubleheader Friday, April 25. The time for the doubleheader has yet to be determined. For updates on the first
Fireflies Win Rollercoaster Game 12-11 in Extras
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies won a rollercoaster battle against the Carolina Mudcats 12-11 after a walk-off single from Stone Russell in the 10th inning at Segra Park. The Fireflies started the 10th with an Asbel Gonzalez single to put runners on the corners. Garrett Hodges issued back-to-back walks to score
Homestand Preview April 22-May 4
Columbia, SC— After a week on the road, the Fireflies are coming back to Segra Park for a two-week homestand. They’ll need the best fans in the Carolina League at the ballpark to support the team as they battle the North Division-leading Carolina Mudcats and the South Division’s second-place Hickory
Cabrera’s First Homer Lifts Fireflies Over Kannapolis
Kannapolis, NC— The Columbia Fireflies used an eighth inning solo homer from right fielder Roni Cabrera to beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 4-3. Cabrera came up with a pair of outs and no one on the basepaths before smashing his first homer of the 2025 season off Carlton Perkins (L,
Fireflies Hit a Pair of Homers in a 14-4 Loss
Kannapolis, NC— The Fireflies bats hit a pair of homers early, but it wasn’t enough to counter Kannapolis in a 14-4 loss at Atrium Health Ballpark Saturday evening. Kannapolis scored runs in every inning except the seventh. Elvis Novas was able to get through the inning without allowing a base
Jones Earns First Pro Win in 8-7 Victory
Kannapolis, NC— The Fireflies got their second five-inning start of the season and it was enough to earn a 8-7 win over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Friday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Tanner Jones (W, 1-1) was masterful, spinning five innings of two-run baseball while setting aside six Cannon Ballers
Columbia Wins 7-5 in Extras Thursday Night
Kannapolis, NC— The Fireflies rallied late to beat the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers with an infield single 7-5 in 10 innings at Atrium Health Ballpark Thursday night. Roni Cabrera played the hero role in extras. He entered the game as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and two outs. Cabrera
Six Reasons You Should Attend USC Night at Segra Park
Buy tickets for USC Night here! This isn’t just any Thursday night—this is USC Night at Segra Park, and with The Gamecock Club and Gamecock Entertainment, it will be like a tailgate—except with pitchers and catchers. For every ticket sold, $5.00 goes back to The Gamecock Club. Whether you’re a
Seven in the Ninth Lifts Columbia to Victory
Kannapolis, NC— The Fireflies bats exploded for seven runs in the ninth inning to beat Kannapolis 12-6 Wednesday afternoon at Atrium Health Ballpark. Columbia utilized 13 hits, eight walks and two hit batters to score 12 or more for the second time in the 2025 season. The Fireflies charged around
Ramirez Homers in 6-2 Loss at Kannapolis
Kannapolis, NC— The Fireflies fell 6-2 to the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers after allowing three runs in the third inning Tuesday night at Atrium Health Ballpark. Ramon Ramirez got Columbia on the board with a solo homer in the fourth inning. The 410’ blast cut Kannapolis’ lead to 4-1. Ramirez is
Ramirez Catapults Columbia to Series Win
Columbia, SC— Ramon Ramirez pummeled the baseball, hitting a pair of homers and driving in six RBI for the Fireflies in a 9-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Sunday at Segra Park. The win clinched a series victory for Columbia. The Fireflies offense jump-started early Sunday. Asbel Gonzalez legged out
Fireflies Bullpen Finishes Strong in 10-1 Loss
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies bullpen finished strong, but it wasn’t enough as the Fireflies fell to the Charleston RiverDogs 10-1 Saturday night at Segra Park. The RiverDogs bats exploded starting in the third inning. Charleston utilized four singles and a wlak to score their first four runs of the game
Russell Tallies Fifth Consecutive Multi-Hit Game in Loss
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies fell 7-3 Friday night to the Charleston RiverDogs. The loss ended the club’s three-game winning streak. Charleston struck early in the top of the first, with Connor Hujsak tripling and scoring on an RBI groundout. Another RBI from Nathan Flewelling gave the RiverDogs a 2-0
Pitching Powers Fireflies to Third-Straight win
Columbia, SC— The Fireflies pitching staff spun eight scoreless innings to end a 5-2 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Thursday night at Segra Park. Yunior Marte settled down in a big way after the first. The righty worked through 4.2 innings and retired the last seven batters he faced. Columbia’s
New Ballpark Treats Coming in Dash to the Dish
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies today announced that they are adding specialty items to the menu on select Friday games during the 2025 season. Fans can try out the new menu items at the Grits Y’all cart stationed on the Scout Deck in right field.
Novas Blast Powers Columbia to 8-3 Win
Columbia, SC— Josi Novas mashed a 106 MPH three-run homer in a six-run fifth inning that led the Fireflies to an 8-3 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Wednesday at Segra Park. The inning started after Milo Rushford worked a walk and the first four Fireflies to the plate reached safely.
Pitching Leads the Way in Home Opener 4-1 Win
Columbia, SC— The Columbia Fireflies rallied behind Wolters’ first start of 2025 to beat the Charleston RiverDogs 4-1 at Segra Park Tuesday night. Blake Wolters (W, 1-0) dominated in his first start on the bump in 2025. The righty fired a career-high five, one-hit innings while punching out a handful
Career Night for First Baseman Not Enough for Win
Augusta, SC— Derlin Figueroa had an all-time night for the Columbia Fireflies. The first baseman slammed two homers and drove in six RBI, but it wasn’t enough as Columbia lost 13-12 to the Augusta GreenJackets in 10 innings Sunday at SRP Park. Columbia was able to score the inherited runner,
Late Offense, Excellent Pitching Lead Fireflies to Win
Augusta, SC— The Fireflies bullpen slammed the door shut behind 4.2 two-hit innings from starter Yunior Marte to beat the Augusta GreenJackets 3-1 Saturday night at SRP Park. Ramon Ramirez got the Fireflies on the board late in the game. He led off the seventh with a double to left.
Gonzalez Swipes Most Bases for Columbia Since 2021
Augusta, SC— Fireflies center fielder Asbel Gonzalez stole the second-most bases in a single-game in franchise history in an 12-7 loss to the Augusta GreenJackets Friday night at SRP Park. Gonzalez blooped a single to right to lead-off the game for Columbia. After that, the center fielder stole second and