Coaches

Northwoods League veteran Jason Nell is in his first season as the skipper of the La Crosse Loggers but is certainly no stranger to the league.  Nell currently ranks eighth on the all-time managerial wins list having spent six previous seasons in the NWL, five of which were as a field manager. 

His first league experience came back in 2005 as an assistant coach for the Mankato Moondogs and, a season later, Nell moved into the head spot.  2008 was a banner year for Nell and the Mankato franchise as he led them to their first ever playoff appearance and a 41-win season.  Nell was named as the NWL Field Manager of the Year for his efforts in that 2008 season and was recognized in 2011 as the All-Decade Manager of the Mankato Moondogs.

After a one-year hiatus from the NWL, Nell re-entered the prey in 2010.  This time as the field manager of the Waterloo Bucks, where he would spend two seasons as their skipper.  While in the NWL Coach Nell coached 49 players that have gone on to play professional baseball and has totaled 173 career victories between his two previous stints in Mankato and Waterloo.

Nell is currently in his twelfth season as the head coach at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa where he has enjoyed much success.  Nell has produced 287 wins, 5 All-Americans, 10 Academic All-Americans and 31 All-Region selections.  As well as these honors, the Lakers program has sent 58 players to continue their baseball careers at different NCAA Division I, II, III and NAIA programs.

At Iowa Lakes, Nell is also an instructor and works in the Success Center assisting students with a variety of needs.  Nell currently resides in Estherville with his wife Lisa, and his daughters Gracie and Chloe.

NORTHWOODS LEAGUE MANAGERIAL HISTORY

TOP 10:  REGULAR SEASON WINS

Manager                                            Years                         Wins               Losses          Win %                        # Yrs

1.  Darrell Handelsman                       1997-2004                   300                  205                  .594                 8

2.  Dale Varsho                                    2005-2012                   278                  271                  .506                 8

3.  Tom Fleenor                                   1998-01, 03-04, 09      255                  192                  .570                 7

4.  CJ Thielke                                      2005-2010                   230                  178                  .564                 6

5.  Dave Parra                                     2001-2006                   211                  175                  .547                 6

6.  Andy McKay                                  2008-2012                   206                  139                  .597                 5

7.  Greg Labbe                                   2005-07, 11-12            190                  122                  .609                 5

8.  Jason Nell                                     2006-2008, 10-11        173                  169                  .506                 5

9.  Eric Snider                                      1995-1998                   158                    87                  .645                 4

10.  Jordan Bischell                                2009-2012                   131                  112                  .539                 4

Mike Siwiec is in the midst of his first year with the Loggers, but is certainly no stranger to summer collegiate baseball as he served as the field manager of the Dekalb County Liners of the Prospect League & Midwest Collegiate League over the past three summers, compiling a 79-72 record during that span.  Siwiec is currently in his fourth season as an assistant coach at Kishwaukee Junior College in Malta, Ill. where he oversees the Kougars pitching staff.  The new Logger pitching coach is also familiar with professional baseball as he spent two seasons in the New York Yankees farm system after being drafted by them in the 29^th round of the 1981 MLB amateur draft out of Triton Junior College. 1982 was a banner year for Siwiec when he posted a 10-6 record with a 3.36 ERA over 101.2 innings for the Class A Greensboro affiliate of the Sally League.

Brian Lewis begins his first season with the Loggers in 2013 and will man the third base coaching box for the Lumbermen.  The Alton, Ill. native is currently in his second season as the hitting coach at Illinois Central College. Prior to joining the Cougars, Lewis served as assistant coach at Lewis & Clark Community College from 2001-2011. Lewis coached professionally in the Frontier League (Independent Pro) as well. While there, he served as the pitching coach for the Kalamazoo Kings in 2010. He was director of baseball operations as well as the hitting coach for the River City Rascals from 2003-2006. Lewis’ summer collegiate experience dates back to the years 2001-2003 when he was the field manager of the Dubois County Bombers of the Prospect League. During his time in the coaching ranks, Lewis has coached four current major League players including Joe Thatcher, Cory Wade, Jeff Gray, and Justin Christian.

Manning the first base coaching box for the Lumbermen this summer will be Juan Carlos Calderon. Calderon is field manager Jason Nell’s top assistant at Iowa Lakes Community College, where he is in the midst of his third season on the Laker’s coaching staff. The Carcas, Venezuela native has spent the past two summers as an assistant in the Perfect Game League, working in 2011 with the Amsterdam Mohawks and then in 2012 with the Cooperstown Hawkeyes. Calderon is a 2010 graduate of Oakland City College where he was a standout for their baseball program, having served as a team captain during his senior season.