Keene -  The Keene Swamp Bats have returned to the well once again as they put their 2016 coaching staff together.  Former NECBL all star, Chris Cody, has been named the assistant coach to Jim Neygrich who was recently named the eighth manager in SwampBat history.
Cody played for the Manchester, CT Silkworms in 2003.  He led the team with a 4-2 record, 0.91 era, 56K/13BB in 49.1 IP (7 starts).  He was named to the NECBL All Star team.  Cody went on to pitch for the Chatham A’s of the Cape Cod League in ’04 and ’05.  
Collegiately, Cody pitched four years for Manhattan College, graduating in 2006, highlighted by a senior year when he went 12-2 with a 1.42 era.  He backboned a Manhattan team that qualified for the ’06 NCAA Regional Tournament.  Cody defeated #6 ranked Nebraska 4-1.
Cody was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 8th round of the 2006 MLB draft.  He pitched in the Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers  and Atlanta Braves organizations from 2006 to 2011, reaching Triple A Nashville in the Brewers system in 2009.  He had been traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2007 in exchange for major leaguer RHP Jose Capellan.
Chris pitched for three years for the York Revolution in the Atlantic League.  He was recently selected to the Revolution’s 10th Anniversary Team as voted by the fans and front office staff.
In 2014 and 2015, Cody pitched for the China Trust Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League, where he pitched the team into the league championships with a complete game, 14K performance.
“I still have great memories of my year in the NECBL and in particular our trips to Keene.  The SwampBats were a formidable team that you had to play your best to compete with.  Their fans were special, by far the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic in the league.”
“I look forward to working with Coach Neygrich this season.  He was a great player, both in Keene and professionally.  He will be an outstanding coach.  My goal is to help our players improve and reach the next level.  Each and every SwampBat is here for one reason:  to raise their game and get a shot at pro baseball.”
Chris currently lives in Phoenix, AZ with his fiancé, Casey.  He hails from Brewster, NY.  He has proud family roots in the NYC Fire Department where his Father, Uncle and Brother all have ties to the FDNY.
SwampBat President Kevin Watterson said of Chris’ addition to the coaching staff, “ we are truly excited to have Chris Cody with us this summer.  His experience and knowledge of the game will deliver another level of coaching for the 2016 SwampBat pitching staff.”