Jackfish Announce Brian Essery as Inaugural Field Manager

WELLAND – The Welland Jackfish, members of the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL) today announced the hiring of Brian Essery as the clubs inaugural Field Manager. Essery will be joined by Assistant Coach Ricky Pillitteri to lead the club in 2019.

Brian is no stranger to baseball having played professionally for three seasons including two seasons with the Welland AquaDucks of the North Atlantic League and one season with the Altoona Rail Kings of the Heartland League. Brian also suited up for the Great Britain National Baseball Team for five season that would transition him to become the teams pitching coach and Director of Recruiting.

Jason McKay, Vice-President of the Jackfish, was eager to bring someone with experience both playing and coaching at the professional level to lead the Jackfish in their first season. "Brian brings a professional atmosphere with him to the Jackfish along with a familiarity of this area and community" stated McKay. "He has played and coached at multiple levels of baseball, which our players can learn from. He will bring an atmosphere of professionalism, and most importantly, a winning attitude to the clubhouse."

More recently, Essery served as an Assistant Coach for the Niagara Metros Senior Baseball Club. Brian would suit up for the Metros for thirteen years prior, earning a spot in the COMBL Hall of Fame. Brian, a Detective Sergent with the Niagara Regional Police is well know in the Niagara community as he remains as the Field Manager of the Eden High School baseball team.

Joining Essery on the bench is Niagara native Ricky Pillitteri as Assistant Coach. Pillitteri played elite ball in the Welland Renegades and the Niagara Rebels programs where he excelled and ultimately earned a scholarship to pursue his education and baseball at Canisius College. After one season with the Griffins, Rick transferred to Erie Community College and then on to Division I St. Bonaventure, where he enjoyed three successful years of baseball and graduated with degree in history. While at St. Bonaventure the 3B/SS was named an Academic All Atlantic 10. During his summers Rick, played in Buffalo NY, for the Diesel baseball program and participated in the prestigious NABF championship.

After his playing days, the Niagara-on-the-lake native, returned to his alma mater as a coach. Rick coached at both ECC and St. Bonaventure (while earning his MBA in Finance). During his time coaching ECC, Rick had the opportunity to guide the Kats to the Junior College World Series in Tyler, Texas.

The Welland Jackfish take to the field at Welland Stadium in May 2019. Season Memberships are now on sale for as low as $5 per ticket. To purchase visit www.wellandjackfish.com.

The Welland Jackfish are a member of Ontario's most elite baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.wellandjackfish.com or follow the Jackfish on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @wellandjackfish