New skipper Fred Ludwig with GM Hunter Hampton

Chico Heat Appoints New Field Manager & Director of Player Recruitment

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Chico, CA August 25, 2015- The Chico Heat of the Great West League announced today that Fred Ludwig has joined the organization as the Field Manager and Wayne Morgan joins as the Director of Player Recruitment.

Ludwig, a former First Team Academic All American with Chico State Baseball, previously held the position of head baseball coach at Pleasant Valley High School where he earned a .729 winning percentage over a three year period.  As a three-year baseball letterman at Chico State, Ludwig’s teammates elected him as their team captain 1991.  Born and raised in Northern California, Ludwig is enshrined in the Paradise High School Athletic Hall of Fame. “I’m excited that baseball is back in Chico and to have this opportunity to lead the Chico Heat into the Great West League in it’s inaugural season is an honor.”

Gary Gelinas, President of CSH International and part owner of the Heat said “I want to welcome Fred to the Heat family, I had a chance to meet him and was impressed by his love for the game, Chico and his desire to be involved with the Heat.  We are committed to building a successful program and with the help of a 3 -time World Series GM in Mr. Gillick and the addition of Wayne as our Director of Recruiting, we have the people in place to build a great franchise in Chico.

Wayne Morgan has over 40 years of baseball scouting experience with the Astros, Yankees and Blue Jays.  He has covered the six teams in California:  Giants, A’s, Triple A Fresno, Triple A Sacramento, Class A San Jose, Class A Stockton.  “Wayne has a tremendous amount of baseball knowledge and scouting experience, which will bode well for our baseball club in our recruiting efforts. He is a great addition to our Chico Heat staff said Heat General Manager Hunter Hampton.

Mr. Pat Gillick , part owner of the Heat and current President of the Philadelphia Phillies played an instrumental part in spearheaded the search, the interviews and the hiring process of both Ludwig and Morgan.  Gillick said of Ludwig, “We are confident that the Heat will benefit from his coaching experience as we prepare for the 2016 Great West League inaugural season.”

ABOUT THE GREAT WEST LEAGUE

The Great West League is one of the premier summer collegiate wood bat leagues in North America, providing a professional, minor league-like atmosphere for top college players seeking professional baseball careers, while providing affordable family entertainment and enriching the quality of life in its member communities.