The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers will have a new manager in the dugout during the upcoming season.
The team announced that co-owner Dom Dinelle will take over for fellow co-owner Harry Muir, who stepped into the role to end last season.
Dinelle brings with him years of professional experience as a player and coach.
He was on CK Mornings on 94.3 CKSY with hosts Chris McLeod and Allanah Wills, where he explained that he's back where he belongs.
"People in Chatham think I'm an entertainer, I like to organize stuff, and yes, I do, but right before the inaugural season and inaugural pitch, I was still doing lessons all day in Quebec," said Dinelle.
Dinelle taking the role wasn't something he and Muir had planned. The two co-owners wanted to find someone local for the job, but didn't find anyone they were comfortable entrusting the position to for this season.
Muir told CK News Today that once he realized they wouldn't find their ideal candidate, he thought Dinelle would be a great temporary fix.
"He's all in already, dedicated to the team, he's got years and years and years of experience in both professional baseball and coaching and teaching. He just fits the mold," he explained.
Muir will remain as the team's general manager (GM) and pitching coach. For him, it wasn't an ideal situation to serve as both the team's GM and manager.
"I really like my GM role and being the manager and GM, I feel like it spreads me too thin," he added.
Dinelle is the fourth person to be manager for the Barnstormers after just two years in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL). The inaugural coach was Dan Norman, who was replaced by Gilberto "Gil" Rondon, who in turn was replaced by Muir.
Dinelle's first time in the dugout will be an exhibition game at home against the Kitchener Panthers on May 8. The CBL season for the Barnstormers officially gets underway on May 15 at home against the Guelph Royals.
