Vandenbout signs pro contract

Story by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
 

Waynesboro Generals alum Pete Vandenbout has signed a pro contract to play with the Sioux Falls Fighting Pheasants in the American Association of Independent Baseball League.

Vandenbout played for Waynesboro in 2008. He transferred from College of Charleston to West Virginia Tech to play for Lawrence Nesselrodt, the former Generals coach and current director of baseball operations for the Generals, who is now the head coach at West Virginia Tech, in 2009, and posted a 4-4 record and 4.43 ERA.

The 6-2 lefthander averaged more than a strikeout per inning at West Virginia Tech and allowed opponents to hit just .221 against him in ’09.

“West Virginia Tech was a great time for me to prepare myself for the next level,” Vandenbout said. “Coach Nesselrodt and Coach Chalot are very good at teaching intangibles and the way you go about preparation for the season and, more importantly, a players’ mindset when they step on the field. I knew when I decided to play my last college season at WVU Tech with [Coach] Ness and Andy I would be putting myself in the right environment to get ready for a chance at the next level.”

Vandenbout is the first Golden Bear player to sign a professional contract under Nesslerodt, who is currently in his second year as a head coach of the program.