A new field manager will be guiding the Waterloo Bucks during their 25th anniversary season next summer.

Team officials announced the hiring of Casey Harms to fill the position Wednesday morning (Oct. 3, 2018). He comes to the Bucks from Santa Barbara City College in California, where he's currently an Associate Head Coach.

"Throughout the meticulous process of interviewing a number of applicants for our managerial position, Casey rose to the top with his energetic attitude, successful coaching track record, and solid communication skills," Bucks general manager Dan Corbin said. "He comes highly recommended and we look forward to him guiding us back to the playoffs with a winning culture."

A former assistant coach at UC-Santa Barbara, Harms joined the Santa Barbara City College staff this past fall. He had been with the Gauchos coaching staff for the previous six years, helping them to three NCAA Regionals, one Super Regional, and the first College World Series appearance in school history. Harms also has summer-collegiate experience, coaching for the Kelowna Falcons of the West Coast League in 2014.

“I am very fortunate for the opportunity to lead the Bucks in 2019 and am excited to represent the Cedar Valley next summer,” said Harms, in a statement released by the Bucks.

Before entering the coaching profession, Harms was an outfielder and three-year captain at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Harms earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Kinesiology from Occidental in 2012 and earned a master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine in California in 2016.

He and his wife Samantha currently reside in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Harms replaces Scott Douglas, who has guided the Bucks since 2016. The former UNI assistant coach resigned his position mid-season, and left the team in July. Assistant Coach J.D. Eaton served as Waterloo's interim field manager the last 20 games this past season.

With Harms at the helm, the Bucks will open their 2019 season in late May.

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