Steve Decker to lead Grizzlies Field Staff in 2010

FRESNO, CA - Steve Decker has been named manager of the 2010 Fresno Grizzlies the team announced today. He will be joined on the bench by new hitting coach Ken Joyce, as well as returning pitching coach Pat Rice and trainer Anthony Reyes. The Grizzlies open the 2010 season on the road in Reno on April 8 before returning to Chukchansi Park for their home opener against the Portland Beavers on Friday, April 16.

The seventh skipper in Grizzlies history, Steve Decker returns to Fresno following an impressive climb up the managerial ranks of the Giants Minor League system. After two seasons as Grizzlies hitting coach (2003-04), he managed the Short-Season Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to two Northwest League titles (2006, 2007) in his first three seasons as a Minor League manager. The Lewis & Clark State College alum then guided the Advanced Single-A San Jose Giants to a California League-best 88-55 record in 2008 before jumping to Double-A, where he led the Connecticut Defenders to the Eastern League finals in 2009. Decker, whose seven year Major League playing career included four years as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants, owns a stellar 328-185 (.639) record as a Minor League manager.

With Hensley Meulens' promotion to San Francisco Giants hitting coach, veteran instructor Ken Joyce will take over as Grizzlies hitting coach. Joyce spent the previous seven seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, most recently as hitting coach for the Las Vegas 51s in 2009. The Portland, ME native steered the 51s offense to a Pacific Coast League-best .290 team batting average and .457 slugging percentage.

Pat Rice returns as Fresno's pitching coach in 2010, after completing his first season with the Grizzlies last year. Under his guidance, the Grizzlies pitching staff notched a 4.67 team ERA in 2009. Before coming to the Giants organization, Rice spent 13 seasons in the Seattle system, the last seven spent as pitching coordinator. Rice pitched for seven seasons in the Mariners organization, reaching the Major Leagues in 1991.

Returning for his third season as Athletic Trainer for the Grizzlies is Anthony Reyes. 2010 will be his seventh season in the San Francisco organization since graduating from San Jose State University in 2004 with a degree in kinesiology.

The Fresno Grizzlies return to Chukchansi Park on Friday, April 16 for their home opener of the 2010 season. For information regarding 2010 season ticket, mini plan, and group packages, or the popular internet mini-series "I Hate The OffSeason", visit FresnoGrizzlies.com , or follow the team at Twitter.com/FresnoGrizzlies and Facebook.com/FresnoGrizzlies.