Kenney Returns to Manage Hornell

Hornell Dodger founder Tom Kenney will return to manage the 2014 Hornell Dodgers. Kenney took the reigns of the 2013 team in early June last season and guided the Dodgers to the NYCBL Championship Series.

The 2013 Dodgers were 23-17 during the regular season and defeated Wellsville 2 games to 0 to advance to the NYCBL Finals in which the team fell to the Oneonta Outlaws. Six Dodgers were named to the All-NYCBL team and Kenney was the runner-up for NYCBL Coach of the Year.

General Manager Paul Welker is excited to have Kenney back with the team.  “Tom Kenney did a great job for us last year.  He was there for us when we had a tough situation last year and he worked hard and put a winning team on the field.  I am confident that he will do the same this year.  Tom Kenney is Dodger baseball and it is great to have him continue to be a part of our organization.”

Kenney was the long time coach at Alfred State where he led the Pioneers to 646 wins, five Region III titles, and five Western New York Athletic Conference titles during his tenure. He was named Region III Coach of the Year six times.

Kenney has long ties to the NYCBL. He helped found and coached the Cohocton Red Wings before leaving the Red Wings to form a community group that started the Hornell Dodgers in 1994. In his tenure as team General Manager and President the Dodgers established the reputation of success that the program continues today. He also served on the NYCBL Executive Board as league president for many years. Kenney was also a pivotal part of the Athletes in Action franchise entering the NYCBL.

Prior to taking over the baseball program at Alfred State, Kenney coached at SUNY Brockport following the completion of his playing career.

Hornell opens 2014 on the road at Wellsville, June 2nd.

Two former Hornell Dodgers will serve on Tom Kenney’s coaching staff this summer.  Hornell High Grad and 2005 & 2006 Dodger Jamie Rose will return to the Maple City to serve as an assistant coach while Josh Smith, a member of the 2010 Dodgers will serve as the pitching coach.

“It has always been my desire to bring back former Dodgers to be part of our coaching staff.  It is great to have Jamie and Josh on the staff.  They have been through NYCBL seasons and will be able to relate to our current players the standards of play expected in this organization.”

Bryan Swift, an assistant coach at Alfred State, will return as well to serve as the team’s volunteer assistant coach.