The Barnstormers’ search for a new manager could lead them to a familiar face.
Tom Herr is considering returning to the Barnstormers. Herr, who left to manage the Single-A Hagerstown Suns in December, is no longer employed by the Washington Nationals. The two sides parted ways earlier this month after Herr asked for a promotion to Double-A Harrisburg and the Nationals refused.
That means, once his contract officially expires at the end of October, Herr will become a free agent. If he can’t land an offer from another big-league organization, coming back to the Barnstormers is the logical next step.
“That’s an option,” Herr said. “The cool part about the Atlantic League is the manager is playing to win every day. That’s fun. There’s a lot more strategy involved.”
Herr and team president Jon Danos had an impromptu meeting that lasted about 30 minutes during a Barnstormers game last weekend. Both sides expressed interest in a reunion.
“Obviously he’s a strong candidate,” Danos said. “He learned a lot not only during his time here but also while with the Nationals organization. The success he’s had speaks for itself.”
During his conversation with Danos, Herr expressed concerns about the player procurement process, which could be an obstacle in his return. BASA was in place during the Barnstormers’ championship run, so Herr is familiar with how things work.
“I’m not wild about the system for distributing players that’s going on right now,” Herr said. “My preference is each team goes out and gets its own players, not one central organization moving players at their own whim.”
During his first stint with the Barnstormers, Herr showed a keen eye for judging talent and proved he could win at this level. The Barnstormers were 139-127 and captured the championship in October. Although he would certainly enjoy coming back, Herr’s goal remains to manage or coach in the big leagues. The Atlantic League won’t get him closer to that goal.
“That’s the dilemma,” Herr said.
“If I get to the point where that’s my best option, then I will have to be comfortable with that. There are a lot worse things I could be doing, that’s for sure. This was a great situation for me. It’s a very competitive league with a lot of good players.”
The Barnstormers’ search has barely begun. But if Herr decides he wants the job, it’s hard to imagine his old team turning him down.
WHAT ABOUT BUTCH?
Another manager on the Barnstormers’ radar is Butch Hobson, who has led the Nashua Pride into the Can-Am League championship series. Opening Day Partners once had an ownership stake in the Pride, so it knows Hobson well. Hobson has also expressed an interest in returning to the Atlantic League since the Pride left after the 2005 season.
There’s one problem here. Hobson is under contract with the Pride for one more season. The Barnstormers can’t speak with him without Nashua’s permission. At the moment Lancaster has no way to gauge Hobson’s interest in the job. To make matters more intriguing, there’s a chance the Pride will fold after this season, which would make Hobson available to anyone.
Wow. I was just joking when I through his name out there. This is definatly “another intriguing option “. Makes for a very interesting off season.
It is also interesting hearing another “creditable” opinion of the BASA organization.
Tom Herr would obviously take a lot of heat off of BASA’s back but wouldn’t it be a step back for him? I am sure he’d get a nice raise.
I could see Herr being that type of “long term” manager similar to Sparky. I have heard he has a way of seeing players talent and potential. I could be wrong.
Look at his track record in two years with the club.
Well, he would definitely be coming home, he’s familiar witht he organization, both locally and the league, and the fans loved him, for the most part. There are always those few who will find fault with whomever is chosen.
I think Herr would be a fine fit for everyone involved. Let’s see how this shakes out.
The only people I have heard talk favorably about BASA, are management people of BASA.
There are plenty of Herr-haters out there too, don’t be so sure he’s a sure-thing quick fix. And you would always know that to him, being here was second best.
Fausto is right. When you hire Herr, you hire his ego too. IT’s not always bad to have a big ego.
I love his no nonsense, I’m the man ego. Who cares if he doesn’t sign your underwear. Hopefully with his type of attitude he won’t let BASA ever take his best player and shift them to another team that needs to win. He was lucky he was on the BASA favored team when he was here. I think BASA will be pulling for York next year so with Tommy as a manager, it could get interesting.
I think most successful people have big egos. I hope Play to Win chimes in on this topic. I’m curious what he thinks about the next manager.
He has the goods to back the ego but, he does not really have a big ego. He is a shy person. That at times looks like he is egotistical but from some who grew up with him I was told he is a very shy person.
Jason, thanks again for the insight into the “possible” new manager possibilities. Being an outsider, I enjoy reading information about some of the things that go on outside of the foul lines about possible changes to the team. It is interesting to hear why some changes are made and others are not.
Barney Stormer,——-on a non-baseball note, channel 36, AMC, is playing that classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High. So after your favorite high school football game or the Barnstormer game, you can sit back in your easy chair and watch one of your favorites.
Just read on Mike’s blog that Newark gave up a home game in the playoffs to Long Island. To me that says a lot. A team doesnt want to host an extra game at home during the playoffs?? That shows me what I have been denying about the Atlantic League. The League really is a far way off from the affliated teams.
Can’t watch AMC since they went to commercials, and why watch if you can’t see the full glory that is Phoebe Cates?
Not a Herr fan…and if you know me you know my opinion.
But it’s just that my opinion.
Having said that…sometimes it’s best to put a soldier in charge of the troops. And an athlete’s ego in charge of athletes egos.
And maybe he does have the ability to see talent, but he is, as the rest of the team, looking to leave and will when he gets the opportunity. I doubt he’ll be a long termer.
But can he make a player hit out of a slump….make a pitcher throw for the out.
As my Physics professor always said …”if you only see one solution to the problem.. you haven’t done your job”
Aloha Pack –
Awesome! Totally awesome! All right, Pack!
Thanks for the heads up!
All I need is CV to beat Cedar Crest, some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.
whack, whack whack …..
That was my skull! I’m so wasted!
Gee Pack, look what you started. Are you going to be at Sunday’s game?
Sunday’s game? Hey bud, let’s party!
Barney, you are full form there. You dont have to watch the movie. You are the movie. And yes, I will be at Sunday’s game. Cant miss the 2007 farewell.
And Mark will be there with his Hawaiian shirt on as well, it seems.
Fausto…well put with post #15…..what a talent!!!
If Herr comes back, and that I am sure is a big IF, I hope he has learned to pull the pitcher before he gives up the full 5 run inning and have someone in the bullpen ready late in the game. That was my biggest complaint. I think Klebe learned that from him.
Barney, do you live on the east side of town??? I see you are rooting for CV. I live in the CV district, too. MY daughter went to LCHS, then to Maryland (where Jordan Steffy is playing now, but I am sure you know that. Maryland did not have a great gave against the Mountaineers, but at least they were embarassed.)
PTW—-big game Saturday night, hope you college team does well, but not too well. GO Gators!!!!!
if wise does not get the manager call, would he come back as the pitching coach, wether it is herr, hobson, or anyone else?
Wise wants to return in some capacity. He said he hopes to end his career in Lancaster and plans to coach two or three more seasons. My guess is he’ll be the pitching coach next season. That’s definitely true if Herr comes back. Those two had a good working relationship.
Does Rick live around here, that he wants to retire in Lancaster?
Rick is from Oregon… I think he means, to retire with Lancaster being his last team.
I know you said something about Nasha folding but on their web site they had this offer:
2008 SEASON TICKET OFFER
Nashua Pride officials have announced that all fans who were in attendance for the September 13th Can-Am Championship Series Game against the North Shore Spirit will be awarded with a free season ticket for the 2008 season.
Attendence was 803.
Wow. I am jealous.
I want free season tickets. Guess I have to get mine the good old fashioned way.
Here’s a column in the Nashua paper asking the Pride to return. It’s still not decided.