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Pelicans Called "The Best"
2001 Groundskeeper of The Year Award  

Myrtle Beach Pelicans Head Groundskeeper Patrick Coakley has been named the 2001 Carolina League Groundskeeper of the Year in his first year in the position with the Pelicans Club. Coakley shares the award with Lynchburg Hillcats Head Groundskeeper Darren Johnson.

Both Coakley and Johnson won an equal number of votes from the Carolina League's eight teams' field managers & general managers. Major League Baseball presents


MBBC Head Groundskeeper Patrick Coakley (right) checks the weather radar before a game with Pitching Coach Bruce Dal Canton.
the award annually in appreciation of superior performance in maintaining the league's playing surfaces. The clubs consider a long list of criteria in voting for the award.

Coakley's former boss, Bill Butler, won the same award in 1999 when he held the head groundskeeper position with the Pelicans. Coakley took over the head job when Butler left the organization in October 2000. Coakley's assistant Joshua Koss is in his first year in baseball.


Coakley and his staff keep the Pelicans' field meticulously manicured.

"We work very hard to put out a good product for the players to use and the fans to enjoy," said Coakley. "To be recognized for that effort in this fashion is a great feeling, and it makes me very proud and appreciative of the support."

Coakley, 28, has been in Minor League Baseball since 1995. Prior to working with the Pelicans, Coakley held a variety of

positions with the Single-A Albany Polecats (now the Delmarva Shorebirds) and Piedmont Boll Weevils (now the Kannapolis Intimidators) of the South Atlantic League. Coakley graduated in '94 from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Management. He and his fiancee Jennifer reside in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Baseball America's "Best Tools"
The recent edition of Baseball America, a leading publication on the world of baseball, featured the "Best Tools" for Major and Minor League Baseball. A handful of Myrtle Beach Pelicans, past and present were mentioned in the break down of the Carolina League.

The managers of the Carolina League's eight teams voted for 20 categories in breaking down the league's best and here are the Pelicans that made the list:
  • Best Pitching Prospect: Brett Evert*
  • Best Defensive First Baseman: Adam La Roche
  • Best Defensive Shortstop: Wilson Betemit*** Best Defensive Outfielder: Ryan Langerhans
  • Best Manager Prospect: Brian Snitker
  • Best Control: Brett Evert
  • Best Defensive Third Baseman: Troy Cameron**
  • Best Infield Arm: Wilson Betemit
  • Most Exciting Player: Wilson Betemit
*Evert has been on the disabled list with a strained right shoulder since July 11.
**Cameron was traded to the Cleveland Indians organization on June 22.
***Betemit was promoted to Double-A Greenville on July 12.