News: Chatham-Kent Announces Field Manager for 2024 Season

The Chatham-Kent Barnstormers are proud to announce that Dan Norman will be the first manager of the IBL expansion club for its inaugural season in 2024.

After naming Bill Altkinson, former Montreal Expos pitcher as the Barnstormers’ team Ambassador, Dan joins the team as the field manager, as well as being a former Montreal Expos outfielder.

Dan played at Barstow College and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1974 amateur draft. In his first season of pro-ball, Norman put up an impressive batting average of .297 and a slugging percentage of .441. On June 15, 1977, Dan was traded from the Reds to the New-York Mets, along with infielder Doug Flynn and pitcher Pat Zachry, in exchange for star pitcher Tom Seaver. On May 29, 1981, Norman was traded along with pitcher Jeff Reardon, to the Montreal Expos, in exchange for right fielder Ellis Valentine. After the 1983 season, Dan continued to bounce around the minor leagues through the 1987 season, ending his professional playing career at age 32.

Following his playing career, Dan became a coach and was involved with a few Major League organizations. Norman spent time with the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers as a minor league manager, with the Cleveland Indians as a minor league hitting coach, as well as the Florida Marlins and the AZL Padres. He was also the manager of the now defunct, Trois-Rivieres Saints, in the Canadian Baseball League (CBL). After the 2003 season, Dan returned to his roots to coach and instruct at Barstow College for several years.

Dan currently lives in the sunny State of Arizona but has always adored Canada and is looking forward to returning and becoming part of the Chatham-Kent community.

“Our team will be comprised of future and former professional players, and I’m excited to bring championship caliber baseball to the region for this new team!”

Led by owner, Dom Dinelle and General-Manager, Harry Muir, the Barnstormers are bringing in a very experienced manager to lead the troops.

“We’re so excited to have Dan with the team. He is a values-based leader, on and off the field, bringing a high level of experience, an impressive work ethic, and a dedication to the fans and community,” said Muir.

The team is committed to bring high quality baseball to Chatham-Kent, as well as affordable family-friendly entertainment with a commitment to community engagement, customer service, innovation, and the professional growth and development of its employees.

For more information, visit http://www.ckiblbaseball.com.

Source