After nearly seven weeks of searching, the Kelowna Falcons have found their man.
Hayden Pewitt has been hired to serve as the team’s head coach for the upcoming West Coast League season.
He replaces Ryan Wright, who left the club in December to take a job in the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system.
Photo Credit: ContributedHayden Pewitt (L) celebrates his team's 2019 league title.
“He comes highly recommended from coach Wright, who wanted to come back, but obviously couldn’t pass up an opportunity with the Blue Jays,” said GM Mark Nonis, who said Pewitt was a great fit for the Falcons’ program.
“Hayden, with his summer ball experience, made him the ideal candidate because he knows the team needs to win right out of the gate.”
A former catcher, Pewitt played for multiple teams in college before beginning his coaching career, which has also taken him to a number of different places.
Most recently, he spent the last two summers as head coach of the Expedition League’s Badlands Big Sticks.
Last season, his team won the league title and Pewitt was named Coach of the Year after posting a 48-20 record.
He hopes to bring that kind of success to the Okanagan.
“We’re going to pitch it, but also try to bang it a little bit as well and we’re going to have some fun on the offensive side,” he said.
“I’m excited, it won’t be long now, we’ll be up there in just over (four) months and we want to get this thing rolling.”
The Falcons open their 2020 campaign, which is their 20th anniversary season, on June 5 when they host the Walla Walla Sweets.
