Battle Jacks look to their rivals as they name a new manager for 2024
BATTLE CREEK - The biggest rivals for the Battle Creek Battle Jacks sit just 27 miles down I-94 in the form of the Kalamazoo Growlers.
That rivalry might have just gone to another level as the Battle Jacks have grabbed one of the assistant coaches for the Growlers to be the new manager in Battle Creek.
Battle Creek announced Tuesday that Ben Harley has been named as the new manager for the Battle Jacks for the 2024 season. Harley comes to Battle Creek after being the pitching coach for two seasons in Kalamazoo under the Growlers manager Cody Piechocki.
"I'm excited that I will be coaching against Cody. He has taught me so much," Harley said. "The Growlers have had the better end of the winning between the two teams the last two years. Hopefully, we can even the score."
With the Growlers, Harley helped the summer collegiate league team in Kalamazoo to a Northwoods League championship in 2022 and then to a franchise-record win total in 2023.
MORE: With 2023 done, Battle Jacks hope to ride momentum moving forward on and off the field
"I'm really excited to have the opportunity to manage in the Northwoods League," Harley said. "I have learned a lot the last two years. It has helped me develop as a coach overall and it's exciting to be working with the people in Battle Creek."
MORE: Playing for the Battle Jacks a 'dream come true' for former Marshall star Cooper Middleton
Currently, Hartley is the head coach at Centralia College in Washington, entering his fifth year with the program. The 2023 spring season saw the program win its most games since 1985.
Hartley is the third manager in the last three years for the Battle Jacks, taking over for Chris Clark, who ran the team last summer and finished with a 26-46 record, which was last overall in the Great Lakes East Division.
“First off, I want to thank Chris Clark for all his contributions to our organization the past two seasons,” saidBattle Jacks General Manager Denny Smith. “The Northwoods League not only develops players, but it alsodevelops coaches. We wish him the best of luck as he starts his new role at Northwood University. With thatbeing said, we could not be more excited to welcome Coach Harley to the Battle Jacks. I’ve known Ben for afew years due to my time in Kalamazoo. He not only has a proven track record of winning, but also a provenrecord of developing players. He's going to help us tremendously as it pertains to recruiting and growing thebaseball side of our organization. Fans can expect a team that is going to compete for a championship for the2024 season and beyond.”
Harley said he is already recruiting players for the upcoming season. During his time at Centralia College, a two-year school, he has had 38 players move on to four-year schools in the last four years.
"Thankfully, with what I do at my school, I have a good amount of connections to four-year schools," Harley said. "I have already been in contact with some players and it will be fun putting together a roster. If you put together the right group of guys, you can win."
Contact Bill Broderick at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on X/Twitter @billbroderick.
This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Battle Jacks look to their rivals as they name a new manager for 2024
