Joel Skinner Named Charlotte Knights Manager

Monroe Native Andy Tomberlin Named Hitting Coach, Dotson Returns as Pitching Coach for 2012

FORT MILL, S.C.  - The Charlotte Knights are pleased to announce their field staff for the upcoming 2012 season at Knights Stadium.

Former major league manager and player Joel Skinner will take over the managerial duties replacing recently promoted Joe McEwing.  Skinner spent the 2011 season serving as bench coach for the Oakland A's.  He spent nine seasons on Cleveland's major league coaching staff (2001-2009) and as interim manager during the 2002 season leading the Indians to a 3rd place finish in the American League Central division.  As a player, Skinner has appeared in 564 games during his 9 year major league career with the Chicago White Sox (1983-86), New York Yankees (1986-88) and Cleveland Indians (1989-91).

Monroe, N.C. native Andy Tomberlin joins Skinner on the Knights field staff.  Tomberlin will serve as the Charlotte Knights hitting coach.  A former major league pitcher and outfielder, Tomberlin has served as a hitting coach in the Chicago White Sox organization since 2005.  Tomerblin joins the Knights from the White Sox AA affiliate, the Birmingham Barons of the Southern League.  Born in Monroe, N.C., Tomberlin attended Piedmont High School where he was signed as a pitcher by the Atlanta Braves in 1985.  In 1988 Andy converted to an everyday outfielder and played 6 years in the major leagues for the Pittsburg Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Oakland A's, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Joel and Andy to our field staff," Knights Vice President/General Manager Dan Rajkowski said.  "Both bring a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience to our club and we look forward to having their leadership bring a competitive Charlotte Knights club to the field for the 2012 season."

Richard Dotson returns to the Knights field staff serving as the team's pitching coach.  2012 will be Dotson's 4th season with the Charlotte Knights.

Completing the Knights field staff will be trainer Joe Geck and strength and conditioning coach Chad Efron.