Thank You Tyler Hoffman
WAYNESBORO, Va. – The Waynesboro Generals organization would like to thank Tyler Hoffman for his time as general manager.
Hoffman served as the general manager from 2014 until the end of the 2022 season. During his first season, the Generals won the Valley League crown and have been title contenders every year under his leadership.
Waynesboro has seen multiple alumni play baseball professionally during Hoffman’s time as GM including MLB products Michael Brosseau, Graham Ashcraft and Tyler Cyr.
“We and our community appreciate all Tyler has done for the Waynesboro Generals,” said team president and co-owner Kathleen Kellett-Ward. “[Tyler] has been a huge asset and one of the main reasons the Gens organization has been so successful.”
A graduate of Bridgewater College, Hoffman won an ODAC Championship during his time in the crimson and gold and brought a winning attitude and a wealth of knowledge of the game to Waynesboro during his time as general manager.
“Tyler will always be part of the Generals family and we will be forever grateful,” added Kellet-Ward.
Zac Cole Hired to be New Head Coach of the Waynesboro Generals
Zac Cole has recently been hired to lead the Waynesboro Generals in the summer of 2019. If the name sounds familiar to Valley League Baseball fans, it’s because for the past 3 years Coach Cole has been the Head Coach of the New Market Rebels. If the name sounds familiar to General fans, Cole spent the summer of 2004 playing for the Gens. General Manager Tyler Hoffman feels like the hire couldn’t have been any more perfect. “Zac brings years of experience in collegiate summer baseball and more importantly, in the Valley League,” said Hoffman. “He is a great leader of men and it will be really special to have a General alumnus heading the staff for the summer.”
Zac’s playing days began at Palm Beach Community College in Lake Worth, Florida. There he recorded 7 wins in his sophomore season with 3 complete game shutouts while picking up an honorable mention nod for the Southern Conference. After earning his Associate of Arts degree from Palm Beach, he transferred to Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee. As a weekend starter, Cole would record the lowest ERA on the team and would also be named as a finalist for the 2006 Tennessee Tech University Man of the Year award. He would earn his Bachelor of Business Administration with concentration in Management degree in 2007. After his collegiate career, Cole was signed in 2007 by the Baltimore Orioles. The next year, he found himself in Independent baseball where he would suit up for the Traverse City Beach Bums, Amarillo Dillas, Normal Cornbelters, and finally the Kalamazoo Kings before retiring in 2011 due to injury.
Cole tried his hand at collegiate coaching for the first time in 2011 at the University of Tennessee Martin as the club’s pitching coach. In his time there, the team set a school record for strike outs in 2012 and again in 2013, recorded the lowest ERA over the past 6 years, and pitched their first shut out in 180 games. He would also graduate with his Master’s degree of Business Administration. Cole then spent time at North Florida Christian School as an Assistant Coach while also running and coaching an 18U travel team in the summer where he was the head man.
In the summer of 2016, Cole took over as the Head Coach of the New Market Rebels in the Valley League. The Rebels saw instant success with Cole at the helm. In his first year as the skipper, the team surpassed their win totals and featured 6 All-Stars and a Home Run Derby participant. After his successful job in the summer of 2016, Cole was named the Associate Head Coach at Andrew College, a Division 1 Junior College in Cuthbert, Georgia. Before the summer of 2017, Cole was named to the Assistant Athletic Director position at Andrew College, as well. Zac would continue his hot streak when in the summer of 2017, the Rebels made their first post season in 5 summers. Finally in his 3rd year at the helm, the New Market Rebels won the 2018 Valley Baseball League Championship with a 30-19 record that included a 13-game winning streak that started towards the end of the regular season and lasted throughout the playoffs.
“Coaching the Generals is such a unique opportunity,” said Cole. “The Valley is a special place for me. I’m excited to be back in the town where my brother, my best friend, and myself all played. It’s more an honor than anything, really, to coach this great organization.”
Coach Cole has nothing but the best for the New Market organization. “The Rebels organization was nothing but amazing to me. They gave me the opportunity to be a Head Coach and I can’t thank them enough for that.” Cole had planned on stepping away from summer collegiate baseball, however when Tyler Hoffman reached out to him with a deal too good to pass up, he found his way right back into the Shenandoah Valley.
“With Zac’s years of experience and knowing what it takes to be successful in the Valley League, Zac has proven his ability to manage and bring in quality players and men,” said Hoffman. “We hope he can bring that same excitement to Waynesboro.”
Cole feels that his experience and familiarity with the Valley is a huge advantage and says the goal will always remain the same: “Try to win this thing.”
The 2019 Gens will try to capture its first Valley League Championship since they went back-to-back in 2013 and 2014.
Season Preview for 2018 Waynesboro Generals
The Generals are coming off a 2017 season that saw them earn a record of 20-22, good enough for third place in the South division. After a two game sweep of Harrisonburg in the first round of the playoffs the Gens were ousted by eventual VBL Champions, the Charlottesville Tom Sox. With the new operation team of Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward, along with new head coach John Jeanes from Chipola College in Florida, the new-look Generals will look to compete for the organization’s 4th VBL Championship in the last 10 years, and 7th in its history.
The Wards feel confident that the Generals will have a terrific season with their new coach. “John has a diverse and successful record in playing, coaching and recruiting baseball,” said the Wards. “We are very excited to see how he inspires our team!”
Coach Jeanes shares that same excitement and eagerness. “I’m extremely excited to accept the position as Manager for the Waynesboro Generals. It is a honor to be a part of a first class organization,” Jeanes stated. “I hope to lead these young men in the right direction not only to make them better baseball players on the field, but better human beings off.”
With an off-season filled with tweaks and changes, the Generals welcome back two returners from last year’s squad.
Tyler Thompson, from Knoxville, Tennessee, and Austin Peay State University, returns to the Generals this summer after a stellar 2017 campaign where he posted a 2.97 ERA in 13 appearances. “I’m super excited to come back to Waynesboro,” said the 6-6 right-hander. “Last year was an awesome experience that came up too short. I’m excited to be back with new teammates and blessed to be staying with the Hendersons once again. I have the best 50/50 stretch in the league, so make sure you come out for the raffle! Go Gens!”
Patrick O’Shea, the Concord, California, native has come back for another year in Waynesboro. Pat hails from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, California, and was a mainstay in the General bullpen, throwing 26 innings in 11 appearances. “I came back this summer because of how much fun I had last year,” said O’Shea. “I had a great experience, and one of the best summers of my life. I can’t wait to get back to Kate Collins field!”
General Manager, Tyler Hoffman, says he’s excited for another summer with Waynesboro. “We feel as if we’ve put together a great new staff and a roster that will represent this community well,” said Hoffman. “We will strive to not only put a premier product on the field, but give everyone affordable, family-friendly entertainment. We can’t thank this community enough for giving these players an opportunity.” The Gens open up Friday night June 1st in Covington. The home opener is Saturday night June 2nd at 7 pm against the reigning VBL champions, Charlottesville Tom Sox.
The Generals invite you, your family, and friends to Kate Collins field for a fun-filled summer!
Tyler Hoffman Continues as General Manager of the Waynesboro Generals
Waynesboro, Virginia
Tyler Hoffman has agreed to continue as the General Manager of the Waynesboro Generals. Serving as General Manager since 2014, Hoffman’s reputation is extremely impressive. New leadership Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward are excited to continue the trend.
“We are ecstatic to have Tyler continue his winning role as the General Manager of the Waynesboro Generals.” stated the Wards. “He has built strong relationships with colleges around the US and even more in our community. His work ethic, knowledge and values make it a no brainer to continue to allow him to do what he loves for our community.”
A graduate of Fort Defiance High School, Hoffman was a 2010 Regional Champion catcher as well as a member of the Final Four Team that year. He continued his baseball career at Bridgewater College where he was catcher and team captain on the winningest team and class in program history and named 2014 ODAC All-Tournament Team. Hoffman graduated Bridgewater in 2014 with a degree in Business Administration.
Later that year, Hoffman was hired on as the Waynesboro General’s General Manager in 2014, the team became Valley League Champions. In 2015, they were Valley League Semi-Finalists and then in 2016, the Generals won the Southern Division Pennant and had the greatest winning percentage in Generals’ history.
“The relationships and friendships I’ve made over the past 3 seasons make all the long hours and summers worthwhile,” said Hoffman. “Bringing top-notch baseball players to Waynesboro and helping them become leaders on their teams and in our community makes this position very fulfilling.”
Brent Ward and Kathleen Kellett-Ward look forward to a great season and a successful future with the Waynesboro Generals. Waynesboro Amateur Athletics Inc is a 501(c)(3) corporation. Your donation is greatly appreciated. Visit waynesborogenerals.net for more information and game schedules.
