Scott Thomas: From Player to Coach

Catcher Scott Thomas played in five games for the Baysox in 2012 and 21 total games between Frederick, Bowie and Norfolk. At the conclusion of the season, it was determined the 28-year-old would transition into a role as a coach after seven years as a Minor League catcher.

"The transition has been better than expected," Thomas said. "I think my only fear coming into this was how the guys were going to receive me after being their teammate and after playing with me, but it has been better than I expected."

"I think when I was down in instructs last year when everybody found out what I was going to be doing - that was probably my most awkward, maybe uncomfortable point, but that lasted maybe about 20 minutes and then after that it was good to go," Thomas explained.

As a new coach, Thomas is taking advantage of the opportunity he has this season to work with some veteran coaches who have a wealth of experience.

"I am just learning from Gary [Kendall], Butch [Davis] and Blaine [Beatty] about how they go about their business," Thomas explained. "I think that is one of the main reasons I'm here and why [Director of Player Development] Brian Graham wanted me here is because of Gary and to learn from him."

As a former catcher, Thomas has taken the responsibility of working with the three catchers on the Baysox roster this season.

"In Spring Training I spent a lot of time working with [Minor League catching instructor] Don Werner with the catchers and I'm here working with [Luis] Martinez, Caleb [Joseph] and Brian Ward and it's been good," Thomas said.

Thomas sees his chance to coach this season as a great opportunity as he looks to slowly gain experience on the administrative side of baseball and work his way into the front office.

"I love being around the game," Thomas said. "There is a lot of stuff I want to do in the game besides coaching. This is a great starting point, but there are a lot of things in the next few years that hopefully I'm going to get into."

Scott is the son of Lee Thomas, who played eight years in the Major Leagues before becoming Director of Player Development for the St. Louis Cardinals and General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. Growing up with his father, who is currently a special assistant to Dan Duquette, Scott has been exposed the game of baseball and how a front office works for his entire life.

"My Dad has been a Farm Director, a General Manager and everything in between," Thomas said. "Being a Farm Director and working with the Minor Leagues was his favorite job and I am starting to see why. Being a Farm Director is definitely one of my goals and something I want to do."

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 2013 season and 20th season of baseball at Prince George's Stadium is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.