Farley Promoted from Assistant G.M. to Lead Hagerstown Franchise

Hagerstown, MD-Since taking over control of the professional club in mid-September, the new ownership group of the Hagerstown Suns has embarked on a search to find their next General Manager. It turns out the ideal candidate had already been hired by the team.

The Suns have officially promoted Assistant General Manager, Bill Farley, to be the G.M. of the franchise amidst a marquee off-season that has been witness to field renovations, a restructuring of ticket plans and promotions, an influx of stadium modernization, and an overall re-ignition in the interest of Suns Baseball in Hagerstown.

The promotion of Farley from within the Suns' front office was the by-product of a month-long hunt conducted by team management to fill the position.

The hiring was first announced during a post-season fan appreciation dinner that included season ticket holders and other Suns loyalists.

Team President, Bruce Quinn, explains, "We have to be different and we needed some fresh eyes on creating a better whole baseball experience for our faithful fans and also for new customers to the Suns product."

Like Quinn, Farley, 31, is a former Division One college athlete, having competed on the golf team all four years while attending Loyola (Md.) University.

The Brielle, New Jersey native, who now lives in Hagerstown, was brought into the Suns' fold in August after serving as a franchising agent for Jersey Mike's Subs, where he assisted in the establishment of 30 franchises nationwide.

"No one wants this job more than I do," Farley explains. "I love baseball and I love the minors. Bruce and I have a great working relationship. I knew what he was looking for in a General Manager, but he wants someone who can get it done that way he wants it done."

Farley's sports background and knowledge of the food and beverage industry made him a front-runner for the high-ranking position.

"Bill is a perfect fit for Hagerstown. He is a good, young professional who has played sports and holds the traits we were looking for to lead the Suns into a new era," says Quinn.

Farley replaces former Suns G.M., Bob Flannery, who left the Suns at the conclusion of the 2010 season to become the ticket manager of Minor League Hockey's Oklahoma City Barons.

Farley assures the Suns' fan base, "I am coming here to do anything that Bruce and the franchise need to remain a successful staple of the Hagerstown community. We've got big ideas and big plans for the Suns. And with that comes a great deal of responsibility. I'm excited for Suns fans looking towards the 2011 season."

As the Suns executive office begins to take shape, there is confirmation that Jon Peterson has been hired as a consultant to the Team President in the areas of marketing and promotions.

Peterson comes to the Suns after front office tenures with the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs, Single-A Kinston Indians, and Short-season-A Aberdeen IronBirds, to work closely with Quinn and Farley.

Quinn, about the hiring of Farley from within the company, acknowledges, "This is a bold move, but we are looking to do things differently."

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball LLC.