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MLB

The Oaks Confirm Field Staff for 2006 Season

Two New Coaches Join Two Familiar Faces
By
March 4, 2006

The Visalia Oaks confirmed their field staff for the 2006 season today. The Devil Rays will send two new faces, manager Joe Szekely and hitting coach Manny Castillo, to join returning pitching coach Marty DeMerritt and trainer Jimmy Southard.

Skipper Joe Szekely earns a promotion from the Midwest League to the California League as the new manager of the Visalia Oaks. This will be his sixth year as a minor league manager, and his second in the Rays organization. Last season, Szekely led the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays to a record of 72-67 and a berth in the playoffs. Those Rays were the only Tampa affiliate to participate in postseason play in 2005. Szekely played for the Royals, Dodgers and Braves organizations over the course of his 11 minor league seasons, four at the AAA level. The native Texan played in the Cal League in 1984 for the Bakersfield Dodgers.

Pitching Coach Marty DeMerritt returns for his sixth season in the Rays system and fifth as the pitching coach of their California League affiliate. DeMerritt, an accomplished pitching coach at the major league level who has worked in the Cubs organization, guided the San Francisco Giants' hurlers in the 1989 season when they went to the World Series.

Manny Castillo makes the jump to the Oaks as hitting coach after spending the last three seasons in the same role with Princeton, the Rays Appalachian League Affiliate.

Jimmy Southard returns as trainer at Visalia. This is his fourth year with the Rays.

Former Oaks' manager Steve Livesey will serve as the Devil Rays Hitting Instructor for the 2006 season.

The Visalia Oaks start the 2006 season Thursday, April 6th on the road at San Jose. Opening Night is Friday, April 14th against the Lake Elsinore Storm at 7:05 PM. The Opening Weekend festivities include great giveaways promotions. This season will feature the return of Thirsty Thursday. Single game tickets will go on sale in March.

For season tickets or advertising opportunities for the 2006 season, call the Oaks office at (559) 625-0480.