Renegades Announce Leadership Changes; Betkowski Elevated to General Manager of the Renegades
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Oct. 4, 2023) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and their ownership group, Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) have announced leadership changes to the club effective immediately. Tyson Jeffers is departing the Renegades to take over as the General Manager of
Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Oct. 4, 2023) – The Hudson Valley Renegades, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, and their ownership group, Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) have announced leadership changes to the club effective immediately. Tyson Jeffers is departing the Renegades to take over as the General Manager of a new Minor League club in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Zach Betkowski has been elevated to the role of General Manager of the Renegades.
Jeffers served as the Renegades General Manager since September 2022, overseeing the most successful season in team history, including the first-ever stadium naming rights deal with Heritage Financial Credit Union. He also assisted in executing the largest privately-funded ballpark improvement project in the facility’s history completed before the 2023 season, which included the renovation of the current clubhouse, the building of a new batting tunnel structure, outfield wall and batter’s eye. He also worked hand-in-hand with Dutchess County in constructing the largest expansion and improvement project to the Dutchess County park since the team’s inception in 1994, which will be completed before the start of the 2024 season.
In his new role, Jeffers will have the opportunity to build a new franchise from the ground up. The Spartanburg team, also owned by DBH, will break ground on a new ballpark this November which will be part of a multi-phase over $400-million development project in downtown Spartanburg. The team is slated to play their first season of affiliated baseball in 2025.
“It is always emotional to leave a place that you have invested so much into, and at a time that so much growth is happening, but I have peace of mind knowing that I am leaving it in the hands of a dedicated group that is determined to make this one of the top minor league teams in the country,” said Jeffers. “What is happening with the Renegades is truly special, and I am excited to watch Zach lead the organization to new heights! I will always be a Renegade at heart, and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to be part of a transformative period of Renegades history. Go ‘Gades!”
Jeffers came to the Renegades in early 2020 as the Vice President/Assistant General Manager before being elevated to General Manager. Before joining the Renegades, he spent eight seasons with the St. Paul Saints, where he began as the Corporate Sales Activation Manager, before becoming the Ticket Sales manager and eventually the Director of Corporate Partnerships. In 2015, he helped the Saints open CHS Field, a 7,000-seat ballpark in downtown St. Paul. The expertise gained from opening CHS Field will be vital in opening up the new ballpark in Spartanburg.
“Tyson has made a tremendous impact on the success of the Renegades and the Hudson Valley community, and we’re thrilled to offer him the opportunity to create something equally as special in Spartanburg,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, DBH Executive Chairman and CEO, respectively. “We recognize in Zach an exceptional talent and are confident he will build on the Renegades’ incredible legacy as they enter into the franchise’s 30th anniversary next year.”
Betkowski steps into the General Manager role after serving as the team’s Assistant General Manager since September 2022. He joined the Renegades in March 2021 as the team’s Director of Corporate Partnerships after four seasons with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“It’s a great day to be a Renegade!” said Betkowski. “Since I’ve arrived in the Hudson Valley, my family and I have fallen in love with this area, and I’m thrilled that I can continue to answer the call as a community leader in my role as General Manager. We have a tremendous staff here with the Renegades that I am proud to roll up my sleeves with every day. We look forward to the Renegades continuing to be the premier destination for affordable, family fun in the Hudson Valley, while also leading the charge as community pioneers that are dedicated to serving others.”
He began his career in 2014 with the Cortland Crush of the New York Collegiate Baseball League before moving on to the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League for two seasons as the team’s Director of Promotions and Community Relations. Betkowski joined the IronPigs in October 2016 as the club’s Promotions and Entertainment Manager, before transitioning to become the Senior Manager of Corporate Partnerships in 2019. In his time with Lehigh Valley, the IronPigs won two Golden Bobblehead Awards, recognizing promotional excellence in Minor League Baseball, and won the 2019 Larry MacPhail Award for the top promotional team in MiLB.
With the Renegades, Betkowski has been instrumental in two of the most-impactful corporate partnerships in team history – with Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) and Heritage Financial Credit Union. Through those partnerships, the Renegades, WMCHealth and HFCU have donated hundreds of hours and tens of thousands of dollars toward improving lives and helping people in our community.
“In over a decade of working in this amazing industry, I’ve had some incredible mentors, and without them, I would have never made it to this point in my career,” Betkowski said. “A special thank you goes out to Tyson Jeffers, who has prepared me to take the reins of this organization as he pursues an incredibly exciting opportunity within DBH. I’d also like to thank the DBH leadership team for providing me with this opportunity to lead the Renegades into the most exciting era of our franchise’s history!
“We plan to deliver our best season yet in 2024, as we celebrate our 30th anniversary season at Heritage Financial Park with the best fans and partners in Minor League Baseball!”
Betkowski was born in Queens, New York and grew up in the Capital Region in Colonie. He graduated from SUNY Cortland in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Communication Studies.
ABOUT THE HUDSON VALLEY RENEGADES
The Hudson Valley Renegades have served as the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees since 2021 and were the South Atlantic League North Division Champions in 2023. Since 1994, the Renegades have provided the Hudson Valley with affordable, family-friendly entertainment through the game of baseball at Heritage Financial Park, part of the award-winning Dutchess County Parks system. Season Ticket Memberships for the 2024 30th anniversary season are on sale now, and may be purchased at www.hvrenegades.com or over the phone by calling (845) 838-0094.
ABOUT DIAMOND BASEBALL HOLDINGS
Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) was formed in 2021 to support, promote and enhance Minor League Baseball Clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball through professional management, best practices, innovation and investment (DiamondBaseballHoldings.com).