Stan Cliburn returns for his second AWL season. Cliburn is the current Manager of the New Britain Bees of the Atlantic League and won the Atlantic League Manager of the Year Award in 2016.

Cliburn brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Arizona Winter League and was the first Atlantic League (widely considered the highest level of the Indy ball), to join the AWL staff. Last season Cliburn found multiple players at the AWL that were able to contribute to his Atlantic League team. Ivan Villaescusa, Jordan Hinshaw, and Michael Baca all played major roles for the Bees in 2017.

During his playing career, Cliburn spent one season with the California Angels in 1980 as a catcher, appearing in 54 games. He also played over 948 games during his 14 year professional career.

Following his playing days, Cliburn spent the next 12 years managing in the Pirates and Rangers farm systems, and then with the Alexandria Aces of the Texas-Louisiana Indy League.  In 2001, he was hired as the Manager of the New Britain Rock Cats, the double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. In 2005, Stan was promoted to Manager of the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins triple-A team.

After his tenure with the Twins, Cliburn has a successful run managing in the Arizona Fall League, followed by a three year stint as the Manager of the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association.  In 2015, Cliburn was named Manager of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic league. After the season, Stan was announced as the first Manager of the New Britain Bees.