The Edmonton Riverhawks have named Jake Lanferman as the new head coach of the franchise. Lanferman, who was the hitting coach in the team's inaugural season, takes over from skipper Kelly Stinnett.

"Jake is a very impressive young man. He did a great job as hitting coach with the Riverhawks last season and has done a wonderful job leading the local Collegiate Hawks," explains Riverhawks Managing Director Doctor Randy Gregg. "Not only is he a great baseball player, he is working towards his masters in sports psychology. He'll be a great coach and representative of this wonderful city."

"I am elated to be hired as head coach and excited to get going on preparations for next season," says Lanferman. "We're already talking to the guys from last season we want back as well as prospects from some of the top schools down south, trying to get our depth chart going so we can put a great product on the field."

The work Lanferman is putting in at the ballpark is not going unnoticed. "I think any leader, be it business, sport or community, if you're willing to do as much work or more than anyone else, people are going to look up to you a lot - and Jake's just like that," adds Gregg. "He'll work hard as a leader in the dressing room and on the field. And he understands the importance of bringing the team together."

Lanferman takes over a team which had an impressive debut season in 2022. The Hawks finished just a half game out of a playoff spot in the second half of the season and played exciting baseball in front of large and enthusiastic crowds at fun theme-filled games at the diamond in the river valley. The new head coach is grateful for the opportunity to build upon that foundation.

"We want our players to have a great experience playing baseball in this amazing city. We want them to come here and have fun as they develop and play hard, before heading back to school with a better knowledge of the game," says Lanferman.

Lanferman is also cognizant of the fact he had the opportunity to learn from first year skipper and major league veteran Kelly Stinnett in 2022. "Having him here with his wealth of knowledge was awesome. I'm very grateful for all he taught me and all I was able to gather from watching him in action."

"Kelly is a wonderful man," adds Gregg. "We had a great experience with him. He has lots of opportunities in the US and he was a wonderful mentor for Jake. Now Jake, being young, enthusiastic and local, can really take over and grow with what Kelly started."

The 26 year old Lanferman played at Fort Hays State University in Kansas and the University of British Colmbia. He is currently attending the University of Western States completing his Masters in Sports and Performance Psychology.

The new head coach news is the first of many exciting announcements this off season. The Riverhawks will soon begin to announce some of the signings under the Jake Lanferman regime. A release of the 2023 schedule is also expected before the end of the year. In addition, the Riverhawks are also looking forward to sharing the news of some non-baseball events coming to RE/MAX Field.

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Click here for video comments from Managing Director Dr. Randy Gregg & Head Coach Jake Lanferman.