Generals get a jump start on 2010

Less than a day after the Waynesboro Generals’ 2009 season ended, plans are already being made for next year’s installment.

Finding a new manager for the team is one of the biggest obstacles the Generals face. Andy Chalot resigned from the position with 10 games to go in the season and Derek McDaniel stepped in as an interim manager. McDaniel told The News Virginian after the Generals’ 4-0 win over Rockbridge in the season finale that he was not considering managing the team next season.

“I know for sure, though, that I won’t be in charge,” McDaniel said on Thursday night. “I just have too much on my plate. If I come back, it will be as an assistant.”

Director of Baseball Operations Lawrence Nesselrodt said the Generals are actively searching for a new manager and expect to have someone in place before the end of August.

“I’ve already talked to someone that would be outstanding,” Nesselrodt said. “It would be premature to mention any names right now. He is a former player of mine that has a wealth of experience and played for me in college. We are hopeful that we can maintain the rest of the staff. John [Cullen] and Derek [McDaniel], they are the finest assistants in the country, I’d hire them if I could [at West Virginia Tech].”

Nesselrodt, who coached the team for three seasons, will also take on a bigger role in the organization next season. He plans to purchase a four percent stake in the Generals, joining the minority ownership group.

“Waynesboro will always be such a special place for me,” Nesselrodt said. “From the coaching and the friends in the community and, even though I can’t be the coach, I want to see that same atmosphere when I coached there. I don’t think there are better fans in the league.”

Majority shareholder Jerry Carter said that Nesselrodt’s commitment to the organization was pivotal to the team’s overall success.

“Not only is he coming back, he is coming back with guns a blazing,” Carter said.

Carter announced that he was selling a minority stake in the team on July 27 to several members of the community.

After three-straight regular season titles and a Jim Lineweaver Cup in 2007, the Generals missed the playoffs finishing the season with an 18-26 record.

“I think Jerry is doing such a great job,” Nesselrodt said. “With his energy and enthusiasm, we will get the Generals back to the front where they belong.”

Nesselrodt has already begun preparations on next season’s roster and had already contacted several players about the prospect of playing in Waynesboro for the 2010 campaign.

“We are getting a quick jump on it,” Nesselrodt said.

Carter hopes to have a rough draft of the roster before the middle of August.

“The 2010 roster will be 75 percent done by Aug. 15, but the first round of invites are already getting made,” he said. “So while we are disappointed we are not in the playoffs, both Ness and I see this a chance to get a head start.”