Summer Collegiate
Loera Returns To NorthPaws In Different Role
KAMLOOPS, BC—Fernie Loera enjoyed his first summer in Kamloops so much, he has decided to return for a second season.
Loera and the Kamloops NorthPaws have announced that the 23-year-old have reached an agreement where he will become the West Coast League teams infield coordinator.
“The position this year is more defined,” Lorea says. “Last year I was just helping with everyone. This time it will be more specified and organized.”
Loera says his philosophy as an infield coordinator is clear. “ We need to attack the ball as much as possible to create a better hop for the infielders. It’s a very fast approach. I think making the routine plays should be the main priority. The less errors you make the quicker the innings will be.”
Loera played junior college baseball at Pima Community College in Tucson Arizona (where he is currently employed as an outfield/strength and conditioning coach) from 2019-2022. He committed to Texas Southern University but wound up playing professionally with the Great Falls Voyagers in Montana.
He followed that up with a student coaching position at New Mexico State University (2022-23) before coming to spend this past summer with the NorthPaws.
“Instruction of the players in summer baseball is tough because the season is so short (2-3 months). I feel trying to break some of these players of bad habits will be a challenge, but it is one I am looking forward to.”
He adds, “ my goal for this year is to engage with the players about the little things in the game that are very important. And of course, to win.”
Loera is looking forward to reuniting with new NorthPaws head coach Jose Bautista. “Working with Jose was a blast last year. He has an ‘old school’ view to playing the game. It is a style that I love too.”
When asked which Major League team he thought had the best infield, he begrudgingly said. “The Houston Astros. They have Alex Bregman, Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena who are all elite defenders. Nothing from them is ever too flashy or fancy. They just go out and make plays! They also go get the ball on plays that aren’t routine and communicate with each other constantly.”
Loerea and the NorthPaws will help open the 20th edition of the West Coast League regular season on Friday May 31st.
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