Diamond Dawgs Name Monroe Pitching Coach

Diamond Dawgs Name Monroe Pitching Coach

The Mohawk Valley Diamond Dawgs announced today that they have hired Massachusetts native Chris Monroe as their pitching coach for the 2019 season.

Monroe currently serves as the volunteer assistant coach at Merrimack College, which is currently a part of the NE-10 but will be moving to the NEC in June with the college moving to the Division I ranks. Monroe comes to Little Falls in 2019 after a stint in the NECBL with the Winnipesauke Muskrats in 2018 serving in the same capacity.

“Monroe brings excellent knowledge to our team overall and to our pitchers particularly,” said DiamondDawgs owner Travis Heiser. “We are excited to have Chris on our staff and for our pitchers to glean as much knowledge as they can from him.”

Monroe, a 2015 graduate of Framingham State University, began his coaching career quickly after graduation and served as the pitching coach/volunteer assistant in 2016 and 2017 helping guide the pitching staff and program to its first ever conference championship series in program history, where they ultimately fell to Worcester State 1-0. Monroe was also an assistant in the Northwoods League with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in 2016 where he served as the team’s bullpen coach.

“I am excited to come to Little Falls this summer and be a part of this championship organization,” said Monroe. “I’ve have two great collegiate summer league stints so far, and this is another great league to coach in. I am really looking forward to working with Travis, Coach Haggerty, and Coach Luby. I am excited to help continue their winning atmosphere for the players, the organization and the fans.”

Monroe has been in college baseball for the past four seasons, including spending a year with Worcester State University in 2018, where he managed the bullpen, recruited, ran camps, and produced game day scouting reports for the Lancers. He also served as a coach at his hometown high school, Fitchburg High, where he served as the pitching coach in 2011 while during a gap year.

“I have the utmost confidence in Chris and his ability to lead our staff,” added Heiser. “He brings a terrific mindset to the organization, and as such, our pitchers are going to learn from one of the game’s brightest young minds.”

“The goal of summer ball is to develop as players and coaches, but I figured if we are doing that I would like to add a championship to that list. I am really looking forward to upstate New York this summer. I appreciate the organization for extending the invitation to be a part of one of the best organizations in the PGCBL.”

Monroe is also an author, publishing his first book in 2018 named, “Getting Your Feet Wet: The Young Coaches Playbook.”