Rawhide First MiLB Team With Australian Front Office Staffer
VISALIA-With the excitement of Opening Day approaching, the Rawhide are proud to announce a ground-breaking addition to their Front Office staff.
Matt Cooper, who was previously the General Manager of the Sydney Blue Sox of the Australian Baseball League, has joined the club as Baseball Operations Manager. While multiple Australian-born baseball players have played professional baseball in America, and several have served in Major League scouting departments, Matt is the first to become a full-time member of a Minor League front office.
"We're very excited to welcome Matt to Visalia," said Rawhide General Manager Jennifer Pendergraft. "He's proven his work ethic and passion for this industry in Sydney, and we know he's going to be an outstanding addition to our award-winning staff."
A lifelong baseball enthusiast who played the sport for 17 years, Cooper began working in the fledgling Australian Baseball League upon its inception in 2010, and worked his way up to the lead executive position with the Blue Sox. His experience culminated in his involvement with the 2014 MLB Opening Series in Sydney, which saw the Los Angeles Dodgers play the Arizona Diamondbacks at the historic Sydney Cricket Grounds.
In his new role with the Rawhide, Cooper will help oversee various aspects of ballpark operations, including clubhouse logistics, team travel coordination, serving as the Diamondbacks' point person for affiliate relations, and assisting with player appearances in the community.
"I'm incredibly delighted to be working in Visalia, and I'm looking forward to getting to grips with Minor League Baseball," Cooper said. "I've heard so many great things about the organization from people around the industry, and it's an honor to join such a great staff. I'm also hopeful that more Australians will follow and become involved in baseball management as the sport continues to grow."
Additionally, Cooper is good-naturedly hopeful that he can assist in breaking Chopper's Curse, which has kept Visalia without a California League title since 1978.
"Like Steve Irwin and all Australians, I'm an expert with amphibious reptiles," Cooper says with a laugh. "I plan to help create an even more welcoming habitat for Chopper's spirit, and help break this hex for good."
The Rawhide open their 2015 season (and the defense of their Northern Division Championship) on April 9th at Rawhide Ballpark against High Desert.
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