John Schneider to Lead Fisher Cats in 2018
Manchester, N.H. - The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the 2018 coaching staff for their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and former Fisher Cats catcher John Schneider has been named the team's new manager.Schneider, who will turn 38 on February 14, becomes the youngest manager in Fisher Cats
Manchester, N.H. - The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the 2018 coaching staff for their Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and former Fisher Cats catcher John Schneider has been named the team's new manager.
Schneider, who will turn 38 on February 14, becomes the youngest manager in Fisher Cats history, and the first former player to manage the team. In addition to his two years as a catcher in New Hampshire (2006-07), the Lawrenceville, N.J. native brings nine years of managerial experience and a championship pedigree to the Granite State.
Last season, Schneider led the Dunedin Blue Jays (Advanced-A affiliate) to the first Florida State League Championship in the 33-year history of the franchise. In 2011, he brought the Vancouver Canadians (Short-Season A affiliate) a Northwest League title as the club's youngest-ever manager (31).
During his nine years managing in Toronto's farm system, Schneider has worked with current and former prospects like Noah Syndergaard, Aaron Sanchez, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.
Schneider reached as high as the Triple-A level during his six-year playing career (2002-07) in the Blue Jays organization, and became a catching instructor after retiring in 2007. He played a total of 62 games with New Hampshire between 2006 and 2007.
Schneider, the ninth manager in Fisher Cats history, has also managed the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays (2009-10, 2012-13), the Short-Season A Vancouver Canadians (2011, 2014-15), the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts (2016) and the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays (2017).
Pitching coach Vince Horsman will return for his third year in New Hampshire, after guiding Fisher Cats pitchers Tim Mayza, Chris Rowley and Carlos Ramirez to their major league debuts last season.
Hitting coach Hunter Mense will join the Blue Jays organization in 2018. The 33-year-old spent last season as the Tri-City Dust Devils (Padres Short-Season A) hitting coach, and was previously on the University of Missouri coaching staff for six years. The Florida Marlins drafted Mense out of Missouri in the 17th round of the 2006 draft, and he reached the Triple-A level during his five-year playing career (2006-10).
Andy Fermin will return to the Fisher Cats for his second season as a position player coach. The 28-year-old appeared in a total of 55 games for New Hampshire in 2014 and 2015.
For the first time in nearly a decade, the Fisher Cats will have a new athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach. Drew MacDonald, who spent the last five seasons with Class-A Lansing, has been named athletic trainer, and Ryan Maedel gets the call up from Dunedin to be New Hampshire's strength and conditioning coach.
The Fisher Cats home opener is on Friday, April 13 at 6:35 p.m. against the Hartford Yard Goats (Colorado Rockies affiliate). The first 2,500 fans will receive a free magnet schedule courtesy of EnergyNorth Propane, and the Opening Day festivities will include live music and a Beatles-themed Atlas Fireworks Show. Full and Half-Season Tickets and Mini-Plans are currently on sale, and each features a variety of benefits, gifts, and experiences. To learn more, stop by the box office at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, call (603) 641-2005, or visit www.nhfishercats.com.
Homers in Hartford: Cats Take Series with Sunday Slugfest
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (21-30) clinched the series over the Hartford Yard Goats (25-26) at Dunkin’ Park on Sunday afternoon, 9-4. New Hampshire first baseman Peyton Williams belted his fifth home run of the season and drove in four runs. Second baseman Cade Doughty sent the
Errors Aid Hartford’s Offensive Explosion on Saturday
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (20-30) fell to the Hartford Yard Goats (25-25) at Dunkin’ Park on Saturday night, 14-5. A new single-game franchise high of six errors helped the Yard Goats eclipse the double-digit mark on Saturday night. Box Score Fisher Cats center fielder Devonte Brown
Cats Outlast Goats in Extras Behind Season-Best 18 Strikeouts
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (19-28) outlasted the Hartford Yard Goats in extra innings at Dunkin’ Park on Friday night, 4-3. The Fisher Cats had runners on first and third with one out in the top of the tenth inning and left fielder Yohendrick Piñango delivered with
Late Offensive Woes Plague Cats in Thursday Night Loss
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (19-28) fell short of the Hartford Yard Goats at Dunkin’ Park on Thursday night, 3-2. Despite reliever Michael Dominguez tossing three scoreless relief innings with three strikeouts, New Hampshire’s offense failed to convert in the late innings to even the series with
Balanced Attack Powers Cats to Doubleheader Sweep in Hartford
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (19-28) swept the Hartford Yard Goats (23-24) in a doubleheader at Dunkin’ Donuts Park on Wednesday night, 7-6 and 4-0. The Fisher Cats outlasted the Yard Goats in a back-and-forth game one, and an RJ Schreck home run and eight strikeouts by
Rogers Spins Quality Start in Tuesday Night Loss
HARTFORD, CT – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (17-28) fell to the Hartford Yard Goats (23-22) at Dunkin’ Park on Tuesday night, 4-1. New Hampshire starter Grant Rogers dealt six innings with one earned run on seven hits in his second career Double-A start. Rogers allowed an earned run in
Five-Run Seventh Salvages Series Finale with Somerset
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (17-27) ended their six-game skid with a series-finale win over the Somerset Patriots (22-22) at Delta Dental Stadium on Sunday afternoon, 7-5. New Hampshire erased a 4-2 deficit in the bottom of the seventh when first baseman Peyton Williams launched his second
Fisher Cats Offense Silenced by Somerset in Doubleheader
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-27) were swept by the Somerset Patriots (22-21) at Delta Dental Stadium in Saturday’s doubleheader, 7-1 and 6-0. Despite a late surge in game two, New Hampshire could not overcome Somerset’s early deficit as the Fisher Cats dropped their sixth-straight. Box Score
Cats Can’t Chase Down Somerset on Soggy Friday Night
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-25) dropped its third-straight to the Somerset Patriots (20-21) at Delta Dental Stadium on Friday night, 9-6. Designated hitter RJ Schreck hit a game-tying home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Somerset plated three in the top of the
Rogers Fans Five in Double-A Debut
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-24) fell to the Somerset Patriots (19-21) at Delta Dental Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, 4-1. Right-hander Grant Rogers retired the first 13 batters he faced and allowed two earned runs on three hits, with five strikeouts across five innings of work. Box
Offense Stumped by Somerset in Season-Series Debut
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-23) were blanked by the Somerset Patriots (18-21) at Delta Dental Stadium on Tuesday night, 5-0. After Somerset grabbed a 4-0 lead, New Hampshire righty Alex Amalfi weathered the storm with 2-2/3 innings of relief, but the Fisher Cats’ bats couldn’t keep
Schreck Tags Third Home Run in Two Days in Sunday Loss
READING, PA – Despite an early 4-0 lead, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-22) had their two-game winning streak snapped with a 6-5 loss to the Reading Fightin Phils (13-23) on Sunday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Fisher Cats homers by left fielder Jace Bohrofen and shortstop Jay Harry helped New
Schreck’s Two Homers Powers New Hampshire to Saturday Sweep
READING, PA – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (16-21) won both games over the Reading Fightin Phils (12-23) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday night, 8-7 and 4-3. New Hampshire outfielder RJ Schreck clubbed a home run in each game in the Saturday sweep, as all five games between the Fisher
Another Late Cats Rally Thwarted in Reading
READING, PA – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (14-21) suffered their third consecutive one-run defeat to the Reading Fightin Phils (12-21) on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium, 3-2. New Hampshire trimmed away a 3-0 deficit with a run in the seventh and eighth innings and left the game’s tying run
Cats’ Comeback Denied in Wild Thriller in Reading
READING, PA– In a game that took three hours and 22 minutes, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (14-20) fell to the Reading Fightin’ Phils (11-21) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Thursday night, 11-10. After they erased a 7-2 deficit with six unanswered runs, New Hampshire surrendered three Reading runs in the
Van Eyk Tosses Third Quality Start in Low-Scoring Loss
READING, PA– The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (13-19) fell to the Reading Fightin’ Phils (10-21) at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, 2-1. New Hampshire righty CJ Van Eyk fired his third consecutive quality start and surrendered two earned runs after being taken out in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Homers Lift Fisher Cats Over Yard Goats on Mother’s Day
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (14-18) took down the Hartford Yard Goats (18-13) at Delta Dental Stadium on Sunday, 7-2. New Hampshire starter Devereaux Harrison (W, 2-4) tossed his second quality start of the year with five strikeouts in six innings in the Fisher Cats’ first series
Schreck Belts Two Homers in Doubleheader Split
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-18) split their Saturday doubleheader with the Hartford Yard Goats (18-11) at Delta Dental Stadium, with a 7-1 loss in game one and a 5-1 win in game two. New Hampshire outfielder RJ Schreck hit a pair of home runs in Saturday’s
Rain Postpones Hartford, New Hampshire on Friday
MANCHESTER, NH – Friday night’s game between the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-17) and Hartford Yard Goats (17-11) at Delta Dental Stadium has been postponed. The game will be made up during the Hartford road trip when the Fisher Cats visit Dunkin’ Park from May 27 through June 1. Thursday’s
Pregame Showers Postpone Fisher Cats & Yard Goats
MANCHESTER, NH – Pregame showers soaked Delta Dental Stadium and prevented the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Hartford Yard Goats from Thursday night's action. The game will be made up in doubleheader fashion on Saturday, May 10 at Delta Dental Stadium, with first pitch of game one scheduled for 4:05
Van Eyk Twirls Complete Game in Doubleheader Split
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (12-17) split its doubleheader with the Hartford Yard Goats (17-11) at Delta Dental Stadium on Wednesday with a 2-1 win and a 4-2 loss. Right-hander CJ Van Eyk (W, 2-3) surrendered one earned run and piled six strikeouts in his second consecutive
Rain Cuts Fisher Cats Late Rally Short in Sunday Sweep
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (11-16) dropped both games of a Sunday doubleheader to the Portland Sea Dogs (16-9) at Delta Dental Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Despite a two-run home run from New Hampshire designated hitter RJ Schreck in the bottom of the seventh, the Sea Dogs
Schreck’s Diving Catch in Seventh Secures Game One Win
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (11-14) took down the Portland Sea Dogs (14-9) in seven innings on Saturday, May 3 at Delta Dental Stadium, 1-0. Portland had the tying run on third base with two outs in the top of the seventh inning when New Hampshire right
Watson Matches Career-High with Seven Innings
MANCHESTER, NH – With a blend of strong starting pitching and a five-run inning, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (10-14) defeated the Portland Sea Dogs (14-8) at Delta Dental Stadium on Friday night, 8-2. In what was his fourth consecutive quality start, Fisher Cats starter Ryan Watson tied a career-high
Fisher Cats Fall in Third Extra Innings Bout with Portland
MANCHESTER, NH – The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (9-14) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (14-7) in 10 innings on Thursday night at Delta Dental Stadium, 5-3. After Portland plated three runs in the top of the 10th, and New Hampshire brought the tying run to the plate in the