“I am the Minor-League Pitching Coordinator, with a focus on performance for the LA Dodgers. I love the job. I really got the job because I knew a bunch of people who were working for the Dodgers. I think my name kept coming up, and finally the timing worked out where I felt like I could make the jump from college to the pro game. My role is fairly complicated, but really I help our players and coaches determine the best practices to improve the skill of the player in order to advance to the Major-League Level.”

Are you wondering who this is?

It is Gabe Ribas, who pitched for the SwampBats during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, and now works for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gabe stated that it has been a “long and winding path” to get to where he is now in his career.

Gabe not only pitched for the SwampBats two summers in a row, he also played college ball during his four years at Northwestern University. During his time with the SwampBats, Gabe and his teammates claimed the 2000 Championship that year under the coaching of Ken Harring and Paul Swingle. “Any championship at any level is magic. It takes so much to win it all no matter what league, what level, what year. No one gets to take the rings away. I think it was a mix of talent and a true bond that the team had, top to bottom. In that group, we all decided that we wanted to win it and we kept pushing forward every day. Ken Harring had a lot to do with that. He knew just when to get on us and just when to let us go compete,” said Gabe. According to Gabe, both Harring and Swingle have been role models and mentors in his life.“I've had a chance to get to know both of them outside of the field and I am forever in debt to both of them... They showed and allowed me to be a better player and a better person,” said Gabe.

That being said, Gabe is considered to be one of the top five most popular players to have played for the SwampBats. When asked about his importance and impact on the community Gabe stated, “I think more than anything I fell in love with Keene. People feel that. I invested in the community and the team. So did my dad. He was a favorite as well. I definitely didn't realize my impact in the moment. I was just playing and enjoying the experience. I have always been invested in leadership, but you never know if that really lands with others until far after the fact. That's a pretty amazing dynamic and very humbling. Coach Swingle once said to me, "You'll be a pretty good leader one day when you figure out leadership isn't about what you need. It's about what everyone else needs from you." I've never forgotten that.

After graduating from Northwestern Gabe played professionally for 6 more seasons in the minor leagues and independent ball. It was at that point in Gabe’s life that he decided to pursue coaching as a profession. Gabe coached for 10 seasons at the D1 level prior to joining the LA Dodgers.

“The SwampBats have been around a long time and have had a lot of great players. I'm honored that my name came up at all. Not only did I bond with my teammates and coaches, but I felt like I connected with all the people involved in making the SwampBats great... Like I said before, some of my longest lasting relationships in my life came from Keene. Shawn Larkin and I now work for the Dodgers. Justin Nyweide and I stood in each other's weddings. I speak with Ashley Freeman regularly. Ken Harring and Paul Swingle have been two of the most influential people in my life.” Gabe and his wife Kristin have 2 children. Ellery (3) and Collins (6 weeks).