Pirates choose Keller

New skipper to lead Moses Lake in 2009

MOSES LAKE - Following a season which saw the Moses Lake Pirates fall to 13-29, owner Brent Kirwan thought it was time for a change.

Former Pirates manager Trevor Brown will not be return to lead the ball club in 2009.

Taking his place is new manager Steve Keller. Keller is a coach at Wenatchee Valley College and served as an assistant on Brown's staff in Moses Lake.

Kirwan said he chose Keller because of the way he connected with the 2008 Pirates.

"I was impressed with how he handled the players and the game," Kirwan said of his team's new manager.

Kirwan said Keller's role as manager will help bring Columbia Basin athletes back to play for the Pirates.

"One of the big things I wanted to do is give players who grew up in the Columbia Basin an opportunity to come back and represent the Pirates.

Former manager Brown also coaches at Oklahoma State University and his role at OSU prohibited him from recruiting junior college athletes from playing for Moses Lake, Kirwan said.

The Pirates organization is in the process of filling Pirates roster for next season, Kirwan said.

"It's already underway," he said.

With his new manager in place, Kirwan is excited for next season and Moses Lake Pirates baseball.

"We're looking forward to 2009," he said. "Here we go."