Submitted by State College Spikes
STATE COLLEGE — The State College Spikes will have a familiar face taking the reins on the field as Tim Battle Jr., who served as the Spikes hitting coach in 2023, returns toHappy Valley as the new manager for the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft League season.
Under Battle’s tutelage last season, several Spikes were MLB Draft League’s year-end leaders. Infielder BraedenBlackfordwas second in the league in runs batted in, with 34 over the second half of the season. He earned MLB Draft League Player of the Month honors for July 2023. CarlosContrerashad 33 runs batted in. Josh Lesliealso posted 63 hits under Battle.
After being selected in the third round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees, Battle was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma in his ribs. After six months of chemotherapy treatments, he returned to action and embarked on a 14-year professional career.
In the pros, Battle made four stops in the Yankee organization for a total of six seasons and played a further six seasons in American independent pro ball. Internationally, he played in Japan for the Kochi Fighting Dogs and in Canada with the Edmonton Capitals.
Battle now owns and operates Battlegroundz Baseball in his hometown of Atlanta, where he teaches and develops young players.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to come back to the Spikes this summer and help mentor the young men who are the future of baseball,” said Battle. “I am grateful to Sean Campbell and the MLB Draft League as well as Scott Walker and the Spikes for having me back to Happy Valley. Of course, I could not do this without my family — Shontel, Brielle and Empress at home, my mom, my dad and so many others who helped guide me to this position. I’m also looking forward to seeing all of the Spikes fans because their support means so much to our players and staff as we cultivate the next generation of the game before our very eyes.”
For Spikes President and General Manager ScottWalker, Battle’s impact on the Spikes in the previous season and his skills and experience are a great asset to the team.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming Tim back to Happy Valley, and we cannot wait for Tim and the players who will be forming the 2024 State College Spikes to see the new-look Medlar Field at Lubrano Park,” said. “It was a pleasure to have him here as our hitting coach last season, and we are excited to have Tim leading the way on the field this summer as we anticipate 40 games of fun, affordable family entertainment along with the future of baseball.”
The State College Spikes 2024 schedule features 40 home games. The Spikes’ first home game, against the West Virginia Black Bears, is Friday, June 7.
