Waterloo Bucks Will Have New Field Manager For 2015 Season

During his three-year tenure managing the Waterloo Bucks, Travis Kiewiet established himself as one of the most-successful summer collegiate baseball coaches in the nation. Now, he wants to spend more time with his family.

The Bucks have announced that Kiewiet has stepped aside from the position he's held since 2012 and that Tony Manville has been named Waterloo’s skipper for the 2015 season. Manville becomes the 10th manager in team history.

Kiewiet guided the Bucks for the last three seasons, compiling a 130-81 record. The Dike, Iowa resident was named the Northwoods League’s Manager of the Year in 2013 after setting a new league record for wins with 51 and guiding Waterloo to the the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Over the past two seasons, the Bucks have the most wins (96) of any summer-collegiate team in the nation.

Kiewiet sits third in team history in managerial wins, trailing Bucks Hall-of-Fame member Eric Snider (161-86) and NWL All-Decade team manager Darrell Handelsman (160-108). Prior to being named Waterloo manager in October of 2011, Kiewiet was a member of the Waterloo’s coaching staff from 2008 through 2011, working under former managers Jason Nell and Pete Lauritson.

“I have had a great experience the past seven years overall and the past three as the field manager working for the Bucks organization,” said Kiewiet. “To put together a winning team as well as managing the team in the summer takes an abundance of time.

“As much as I've liked being part of that process, I would like to be able to spend more time with my family. They have been very supportive of my time spent with the Bucks and now it's time for me to support them and I couldn't be more excited.”

“I want to thank Travis for his service to the team for the last seven years,” said Corbin. “His organizational skills, drive to win, and in-depth knowledge of the NWL (Northwoods League) made him one of the best managers in team history. I will definitely miss his presence around the ballpark.”

Manville just completed his second season as the Bucks' pitching coach, working alongside Kiewiet. A native of New Lenox, Illinois, Manville is currently in his third season as a coach at Robert Morris University in Chicago. Last season, under his tutelage, Waterloo’s pitching staff finished with 547 strikeouts, the most in the North Division.

“When Travis informed me that he would be stepping down, we immediately looked in-house for his replacement,” said Corbin. “With the success we’ve had over the past few years combined with my knowledge of Tony and his handling of players, it became clear that he was the best choice to lead the Bucks as field manager in 2015. I look forward to the 21st season of Bucks baseball with Tony at the helm.”

As an athlete, Manville was a pitcher at both the University of Iowa and Northern Illinois University, playing or the Hawkeyes from 2008-2009 before transferring to NIU before the 2010 season. For the Huskies, Manville was an All-Mid-American Conference second team honoree in 2011 and was named to the 2012 All-MAC Pre-Season second team.

During his collegiate career, Manville played summer ball with the NWL’s Mankato MoonDogs in 2009. He recorded a 2-2 mark, a 3.95 earned-run average (ERA), and 30 strikeouts in 20 appearances.

"I am very honored and excited to be the next field manager for the Bucks,” said Manville. “I have enjoyed my time in Waterloo and look forward to taking over the reins and continuing what Travis Kiewiet has built the last few years. I am very happy to take this next step in my career with the Bucks and know there are great things to come in 2015."

Manville becomes the 10th manager in Waterloo Bucks history, following Snider (1995-98), Handelsman (1999-2002), Andy Haines (2003-04), Jason Shockey (2005), Corey Allen (2006), Dan Fitzgerald (2007), Pete Lauritson (2008-09), Jason Nell (2010-11), and Kiewiet (2012-14).