AquaSox Welcome Back Ryan Scott in 2024

On January 24th, Ryan Scott was named manager for the second straight season of the Everett AquaSox, after going 74-58 the previous year. For his successful “rookie year” as manager, Ryan was named Northwest League Manager of the Year! Ryan did an amazing job coaching the Everett AquaSox in 2023.

We at the Seattle Sports Union, recently got to sit down with the manager of the Everett AquaSox and hear how excited he was for the upcoming 2024 season.

SSU: Welcome back to Everett, Ryan! Congratulations on being named manager of the AquaSox for the second year in a row. Always a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with you. How are you doing Coach?
RS: I am doing well. I am excited to be back with Everett for my second season.

SSU: We are just going to come out and ask. How well do you think last season went for you as the manager of the AquaSox?
RS: I think that overall, last season was a success, though just falling short of winning the NWL championship was a little upsetting. We really wanted to have beaten Vancouver, but it just wasn’t in the cards. It was a great year for me personally. I really learned a whole lot in my first year of managing. I was surrounded by a fantastic staff who not only were a huge help on the field but also off the field. They helped me grow as a person. We were blessed with an abundance of players who became better at their game. It was quite exciting watching them grow.

SSU: What was the biggest lesson you learned as being the boss for the first time?
RS: The biggest lesson for me was learning how to slow down the game of baseball. What I mean is that I learned to control my emotions. This applies to losing streaks, winning streaks, etc. They are all going to happen, so learn how to “not to ride that roller coaster”. It’s not worth it.

SSU: Last season, we noticed that when you come out to coach third base during the game, you always seem to tap on the base in some fashion with your foot. What is the meaning behind this move of yours?
RS: There is really no meaning to it. It started in 2022 when I was a coach with Modesto. Every time I went out to coach third base, I would tap the base. Ever since, that has become a tradition for me. If it’s not a tap, then I am usually cleaning the base than a tap. I guess it’s just a way for me to go out there and get locked in before the start of the inning.

SSU: When you are coaching third base, it looks like you have a clicker or something else in your hands. Please explain the meaning of that.
RS: It’s actually a stopwatch. It’s not a superstition of any kind. I am more of a creature of habit one would say. The watch allows me to time the pitcher to the plate when base runners are on. The slower the pitcher is to the plate, the chances are we may attempt more steals. My first base coach will do the same thing with their watch. They then communicate to the players to give them a sense of timing from the pitcher to the catcher. Depending on how fast they are and how much they know about the pitcher, we will give certain players the freedom to run. Jonatan Clase was an example of a “fast” runner last season (and we had a few others).

SSU: What is one thing you did during this past off-season to prepare for the 2024 season?
RS: I started building relationships with the new ballplayers in the organization. It’s a great way to build trust with these young men too. When they do get to Everett, I might be fortunate to have a relationship with this ballplayer. There is a trust we develop with them. We have a better sense of how to push these guys and let them know what to work on in terms of their game.

SSU: Tell us a little bit about your new hitting coach, Seth Mejia Breen.
RS: I am really excited to have Seth here. He and I played together some in 2017 so we already have a little history as teammates. Seth is one of the nicer people to be around. Last season he was with Modesto and did a fantastic job in his first season as a hitting coach. Some of these players that we will have in 2024 played in Modesto last season. Seth will have the opportunity to work with some of these same ball players this season. I see that as a huge advantage.

SSU: You mentioned earlier about building relationships with your players. Last year we were fortunate to have interviewed several players. It seemed like every single player loved playing for you. They said so many fantastic things about you Ryan Scott. We were like “Wow!” that is so awesome. What is your secret? Do you have different relationships with each player?
RS: Each guy is different and needs different things. This is where we begin our relationship building with each individual and why I am trying to do this earlier in their careers. We realize that each player needs to be coached differently and they also need to be spoken to differently. Words of encouragement are a good thing. It’s nice to hear that they appreciate me. Thank you for mentioning that. That is all I really ask for. I want to be the guy that the players want to play for and know that I have their back.

SSU: What is one area that you want to succeed in to get your team back to the championship this year?
RS: That is a good question. One thing I would say is for us to “Dominate the Zone”, the Seattle Mariners philosophy throughout the organization. We have to throw strikes and be ahead of the count. This will help us win ball games. For hitters we want them to make great swing decisions. We don’t want them chasing pitches that are out of the strike zone. When the pitch is in the zone, we want to see some damage with those pitches.

SSU: I got a fun question I have been wanting to ask you Ryan. What do I have to do to get you to call a “Suicide Squeeze” during one game this season? I will carry your golf clubs, wash your car!!! It’s got to happen. It’s gonna happen, right?
RS: (Laughs) Who knows. You never know what might happen, so there’s a chance.

SSU: We know you are famous for your “socks” that you wear every game. What are your thoughts on the new promotional jerseys this season, in particular a certain College jersey?
RS: You must mean the University of Washington Jersey, ha-ha. Oh, and there’s the Washington State jersey as well. To be honest guys, I like the University of Washington jersey better because they are similar to my high school colors. In regard to my socks, this season I will try to upgrade the sock game!

SSU: Ok, I will forgive you, fair enough on your liking of the University of Washington jersey.
RS: Other jerseys I liked last year were the Star Wars and Frog Stock jerseys. The front office in Everett does a fantastic job with those promotional jerseys and promotional nights in general.

SSU: How do you feel when certain baseball players get promoted when your team is doing well? As a fan, it’s frustrating. For example, the 2021 season saw maybe 15 Frogs get promoted during the first part of the season (Julio Rodriguez was a part of all that).
**RS**: That can be hard for the fans but for me, it’s awesome. It’s the right thing for those players and their careers. We want what is best for these young men and this is a big part of that. As a team we want to win games, a lot of games, but when this happens, certain individuals get promoted. This is reality and it makes me happy to see them get the call. We are not here to win a game at the detriment of the development of these players.

SSU: How is the golf game Ryan? Did you get to experience some of our finer courses last year?
RS: Golf game is good. It’s in a pretty good spot right now. I can’t complain. Last year I played a number of them when I was managing the AquaSox. I was able to play the Everett Country Club where I shot a career low of five under 67. I played Harbour Pointe, Bear Creek and even Chambers Bay. We had a great time at all of them.

PHOTO CREDIT: Shari Sommerfeld

ABOUT SEATTLE SPORTS UNION: SSU is a group of passionate fans following teams in the Seattle area. Their podcast involves interviews with local sports figures and commentary. Podcasts can be heard on Spotify, Apple Podcast, and Youtube, you can also find them on the web at seattlesportsunion.com

ABOUT THE EVERETT AQUASOX: The Everett AquaSox are the High-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Everett is a member of the Northwest League and has been a Mariners affiliate since establishing the AquaSox moniker in 1995. For updates on the 2024 season, including community initiatives and Webbly appearances, follow the Frogs on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or visit our website, AquaSox.com. 2024 season ticket and mini plans can be purchased by calling (425) 258-3673 or by visiting the AquaSox Front Office at 3802 Broadway in Everett.