KENTVILLE, N.S. — Kentville Wildcats fans will still have a chance to root for the home team this season.
John Ansara, director of recreation and community development for the Village of New Minas, has signed on to fill the vacant head coach position for the 2019 season.
“Ansara grew up playing baseball in Toronto, Ont., and later went on to play college baseball at Vancouver Island University. He has lived in the Valley for ten years and is a former Wildcats player himself, having played four seasons with the team,” a press release issued by the team’s executive Feb. 25 reads.
“(He) is a strong leader who has worked in the fields of recreation and community development for several years.”
The senior baseball team’s executive announced in early February that the Wildcats were in jeopardy of potentially having to skip the upcoming season if a new head coach was not found. Former coach Chris Salsman left early last season after moving away, and player coaches temporarily filled the role until the season concluded.
“We are excited to have John joining us as head coach this season and are greatly looking forward to working with him as he develops the roster and gets started with spring workouts for the players,” said Sandy VanBlarcom, president of the team’s executive committee in a prepared statement.
“John knows some of the players, including their strengths, because of his past experience as a player, and is familiar with the league as well. Both of those things will be an asset to him as he works to round out the roster.”
The prepared statement from the Wildcats goes on to say that Ansara plans to field a competitive team that is “fun to watch” as the Wildcats work toward a mandate of “keeping baseball growing in the Valley.”
Follow the Kentville Wildcats Senior team on Facebook (@KentvilleWildcats) and on Twitter, (@ktown_baseball).
RELATED BACKGROUND: ‘An urgent call’: Wildcats ‘likely’ to miss baseball season unless new coach hired
