Should it definitely be Herr?

The Barnstormers are near the end of their managerial search and it’s time to make the difficult decision. Can they really choose someone besides Tom Herr?

Think about it. He’s a Lancaster native. He won a championship here. He’s probably the most well-known person to ever wear the uniform. He’s basically a sure thing. If Herr wants to return, shouldn’t the door automatically be open for him? Two months ago, that appeared to be the case. Now? Maybe not.

This whole process has been interesting. Neither Herr nor the team’s front office has rubber-stamped his return, which some have found surprising. Herr refuses to give up on a possible offer from a big-league organization and the Barnstormers refuse to make their old skipper their automatic choice.

That was fine for a while. But now it’s crunch time. Will the two sides come together and try to re-ignite that 2006 magic? Or will they part ways seemingly for good?

Here are the pros and cons to Herr’s candidacy …

PROS

*He can win in this league. Not every minor-league manager can excel in an independent environment. Following a dismal first half during the Barnstormers’ inaugural season, Herr went 112-84 — a .571 winning percentage. He won two half-season division titles, went 5-0 in the playoffs and, of course, brought home the ring.

*He has worked with Keith Lupton, the returning head of baseball operations. The relationship between the player procurement side and the on-field manager is crucial. Those two work well together.

*He can evaluate talent. Herr has an uncanny knack for figuring out how to put players in the best position to succeed and he’s usually able to identify which players are talented enough for the Atlantic League. This league is really perfect for him. It has been since Day 1.

“I like the competition,” Herr said. “The competing day in and day out is what’s most fun. What makes this league fun is you’re managing and all your in-game moves are predicated on trying to win games as opposed to having player development theories dictate what you do in a game.”

CONS

*Change can be good and Herr is connected to the old roster. He will likely want to bring back many of the key players from the 2005-06 clubs and — in my opinion — that’s not in the best interest of the organization going forward. Consider this quote …

“I certainly wouldn’t start over,” Herr said after his formal interview with the Barnstormers on Friday. “We won a championship with a lot of the guys who are here already. I think the core of position players is very good. I think the problems that the team had last year were pitching problems. I think that’s where you have to start. You have to look at your pitching staff and how you want to build that.“

*He doesn’t make a splash. Herr wouldn’t bring the public relations bounce that hiring someone like Von Hayes or Gary Carter would bring because people here are already so familiar with him.

*He won’t be here long-term. Herr has made no secret of his desire to move forward. Some see that as a flaw in his candidacy, but really it’s not a big deal. All of the prospective managers feel the same way. Herr’s just a little more outspoken about it.

The Barnstormers and Herr are on the clock. In the next week or so they’ll have to determine if a reunion is really in the best interests of everyone involved.