Panthers name Don Menard Field Manager for the 2021 season

KITCHENER - The Kitchener Panthers are pleased to announce that Don Menard has been hired as the new Field Manager for the 2021 season. 

A Windsor native, Don has an extensive background in baseball, as a player, coach, and manager, in both Ontario and Michigan. Most recently Don has managed the Windsor Selects and the Tecumseh Thunder at Baseball Canada Championships, winning two Silver Medals. Over the course of his career as a Manager and a Coach, Don has participated in nine Ontario Championships and one Canadian Championship. Don is also a Baseball Canada and Baseball Ontario Coaching facilitator. 

John Raddi will also join the Kitchener Panthers as Assistant General Manager. John previously held this position with the Guelph Royals, and is a former pitcher, with the Mississauga Majors and the Guelph Royals of the IBL.

Steve Scagnetti, who is no stranger to Panthers fans, is re-joining the Panthers as a Coach. Steve is a former Panthers pitcher and Field Manager, winning IBL Championships with both Kitchener and Guelph. Steve provides great experience as a player, Field Manager and General Manager.

Adam Echlin will join the Panthers in the role of Intern, Player Recruitment. Panthers fans will no doubt remember Adam Echlin for the excellent twenty-year career he had in the IBL. Adam has won Canadian and Michigan Championships, including a Championship with the Michigan Jet Box Ball Club. A strong competitive spirit, as well as having extensive contacts in baseball, make Adam ideally suited for this position.

Javier Herrera Lanza will also join the Panthers as a coach for 2021. Originally from Havana, Cuba, Javier was a member of the 1980 La Habana Junior National Championship Team. He managed in the Cuban Provincial Series, finishing 2nd twice and winning the Championship in 1999. Javier works well with our Cuban imports and has a wealth of baseball knowledge.

Kitchener Panthers General Manager, Mike Boehmer stated, “we are pleased to welcome Don Menard, and John Raddi, to the Panthers Organization and to welcome back former Panthers Steve Scagnetti and Adam Echlin. Javier Herrera Lanza is back for his second year with the Panthers.” 

“All these men bring a great deal of enthusiasm, experience, and baseball knowledge to the Panthers. With the Season Opening pushed through to June 2021, we are hopeful to begin winter/spring workouts as soon as possible; once we get the green light from the Provincial Government and Waterloo Region Public Health.”

The Kitchener Panthers are a member of Canada’s top baseball league, the Intercounty Baseball League. The 100-year old summer league is one of the oldest baseball leagues in the world, with the league established in 1919, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. For more information, visit www.kitchenerpanthers.com or follow the Panthers on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @IBL_Panthers.