Kelowna Falcons

Clontz Set To Return

Billy Clontz has something to prove.  After a difficult summer, Clontz will enter his second year as the manager of the Kelowna Falcons.

This past summer the Falcons finished 14-39 and ended on a 12 game losing streak, something Clontz is determined to turn around.  Next season will be just his second as a manager.

Coming in the 2014, Clontz and his coaching staff had put together a solid team, however in late spring injuries and grades kept players from coming to Kelowna.  Then in the early June, the Falcons most anticipated power hitter Andrew Godbold was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 23rd round of the Major League Baseball draft.  He was in a Falcons uniform for six games, hit .304 with a double, homerun and five RBIs before signing and leaving the Okanagan.  In Ogden Utah, the Dodgers class A rookie affiliate he hit .268 in 21 games, collecting three homers and 14 RBIs, production numbers Clontz and the Falcons desperately needed.

The 2014 summer was the first for Clontz as a manager.  The first time he was responsible for recruiting players, managing a line-up and a pitching staff.  Certainly an adjustment for anyone.

If Falcons history comes into play for next summer, then the team will be just fine.  Back in 2011 the Falcons hired Al Cantwell as a first year manager.  He finished 19-34 with the second highest team ERA.  The very next summer (2012) Cantwell led the Falcons to their best record of 28-26 with the fourth best pitching staff.

Clontz, like Cantwell, is a very competitive person who has never experienced what happened to his club last summer.  Something he wants to prove won’t happen again.

The Falcons will open the season on June 5, 2015.  Season tickets make an excellent Christmas gift and stocking stuffer, just $199 for a premium club right behind home plate.

Photo courtesy of Greystoke Photography

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