Coach Jason Searle to Resign - A Final Note from Coach

After many years of involvement in American Legion Post 136 baseball - both as a player for 3 years with Cooke's Stationary in the mid-90's and as a coach for the last 10+ years with the Withnell Dodgers - I have decided to part ways with the program.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience as a player and as a coach and leaving is certainly bittersweet.  Particularly as a coach, I have made every effort to continue the excellent tradition of Post 136 baseball and hope that my influence on young ball players has extended far beyond the field of play.  That said, I am hopeful that my impact on each player that has passed through our program over the last 10+ years has helped to improve their baseball skills as well as create lasting memories of summer baseball on and off the baseball field.  

As the Withnell Dodgers transition from my leadership to a new face of the program, I am excited to announce that Justin Hoffman - a former player of the Withnell Dodgers in the mid-2000's and my assistant the last 2 years - will be taking my place.  While I have no doubt he will be great on the field, there are certainly behind-the-scenes administrative aspects to running the Dodgers program which will be new to Justin.  Therefore, as a way to not cut ties and run abruptly, I will be assisting Justin in some of the coach-specific administrative duties this coming offseason, which will include scheduling/setting up things such as games, the Willamette Classic tournament, umpires, van rentals, tournament entries, etc.

It is my hope that the strong tradition of baseball played by the Withnell Dodgers continues, as well as the respect earned from many throughout the region with regards to this program.  I am certain this will happen as we maintain the continuity of our program, even in my departure, under the head coaching leadership of Justin and the overall management of the program, which will continue under Art Cummins.

Finally, as I send my final farewells, I would like to thank a few people for their support and assistance over the years: David Withnell, the team's owner/sponsor, Art Cummins, the team's General Manager, and Mike Doran, my former coach as a player and assistant while coaching the Dodgers.  I would also like to thank the many Dodgers players that have passed through our program over the last 10+ years, as your skill, enthusiasm, and love of baseball is ultimately what motivated me to look forward to Legion baseball every summer.  Finally, I would like to thank my family - Karina, my wife and Karson and Laney, my two daughters - as Legion baseball has provided our entire family many great memories over the last 10+ years.

Go Dodgers!!!