Meet Manager Don Sneddon

The 2014 Modesto Nuts will have a roster of many young players eager to make their mark on the game. In all likelihood, the only rookie in the dugout will be manager Don Sneddon. The term rookie, in this case, refers to the 2014 season as Sneddon's first in professional baseball. In fact, the long-time head coach of Santa Ana College began wearing a baseball uniform in the dugout before any of his current players were even born.

After a wildly successful 31-year career with Santa Ana College, Sneddon will be making his professional debut in 2014 with the Nuts. He leaves Santa Ana, where the baseball facility bears his name, as the all-time leader in wins in California Community College history. He passed another former Modesto Nuts manager Jerry Weinstein along the way. During his tenure with the Dons, Sneddon led the team to 24 consecutive playoff appearances and three California State Championships.

The decision to leave Santa Ana College was not an easy one for the man who also served as a Professor of Exercise Science at the college. "It was a very tough decision to decide to leave but this is on my bucket list and something I've always wanted to do."

One of the many differences in his role as a manager of the Nuts is a 100% commitment to baseball. A change that Sneddon is eager to tackle. "As a college coach, I had to focus on recruiting, eligibility and field maintenance in addition to managing the team," said Sneddon. "It will be a real luxury for me to focus on my team exclusively this year."

Ultimately, Sneddon's goal in 2014 won't differ much from his college days. "My focus is to improve my players," said Sneddon. "They want to keep moving up the ladder and make it to the Major Leagues and I want to help them improve their skills so they have that opportunity." He will accomplish this goal by "teaching them how to compete, how to win and how to be good teammates." As his 300+ Santa Ana alumni that have either signed a professional baseball contract or received a scholarship to a 4-year university will tell you, the futures of the Modesto Nuts players are in good hands.