The Outer Banks Daredevils Baseball Club will welcome back Jeff Wicker as its head coach for a second season. With his leadership in 2009, the Daredevils reestablished themselves as one of the top teams in the Coastal Plain League.
Wicker will also have familiar company, as 2009 assistant coach Chris Kemp will also return to help Outer Banks make a run at the 2010 Petitt Cup title.
“I’m definitely excited about returning to the Outer Banks for another summer,” Wicker said. “The Outer Banks is a great part of the country and makes for a great place to spend the summer. The organization and community provide tremendous support for the players and coaches, and the host families are second to none. Host families are the key to fielding a competitive team.”
Wicker will also have familiar company, as 2009 assistant coach Chris Kemp will also return to help Outer Banks make a run at the 2010 Petitt Cup title.
“I’m definitely excited about returning to the Outer Banks for another summer,” Wicker said. “The Outer Banks is a great part of the country and makes for a great place to spend the summer. The organization and community provide tremendous support for the players and coaches, and the host families are second to none. Host families are the key to fielding a competitive team.”
The South Carolina-Salkehatchie assistant coach will spend his third summer with the Daredevils, first starting as an assistant to then-coach Robbie Wilson in 2008. Wicker took the head spot this past summer and brought many players back, leading them to a 19-9 start and first half CPL North Division crown.
The half title was the first in team history and assured Outer Banks its first-ever home playoff game. In addition, the Daredevils were ranked as high as No. 7 in the weekly Perfect Game Crosschecker poll of top summer league teams, boasted seven league all-stars and led the CPL in pitching for most of the year.
Wicker was also head coach of the CPL National All-Star team, the first time an Outer Banks coach led an all-star team since 2003.
Much like this past season, Wicker expects many 2009 players to return for the Daredevils. The team unity was a constant factor in its success.
“The team chemistry was unlike any that I’d ever witnessed, and the guys played the game with an unselfishness and toughness that was unmatched,” Wicker said. “The stated desire of so many of these guys to return was a big factor in my decision to come back.”
Wicker will again work on building a strong pitching staff, while Kemp will focus on the hitters. The Spartanburg Methodist assistant coach brought added excitement to the players, who picked up on his enthusiasm and work ethic in a hurry.
For the complete story, go to http://www.coastalplain.com/index.php/cpl_08/press/wicker_to_lead_daredevils_again/
