Former Mariner and Yakima Native Bob Wells Named to Pippins Coaching Staff

The Yakima Valley Pippins have reached an agreement with Yakima native Bob Wells to serve as the pitching coach on Head Coach Marcus McKimmy’s inaugural staff. With the addition of Wells, along with assistant Jacob White, the Pippins 2014 coaching staff is set and preparing for Opening Day on June 6^th at Yakima County Stadium.

Wells, an Eisenhower High School graduate who played college baseball at Spokane Falls Community College, spent nine seasons as a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He made his MLB debut in 1994 with the Philadelphia Phillies, and was selected off waivers by the Seattle Mariners that same season. Wells went on to pitch the next four seasons with the hometown Mariners, becoming one of the most consistent relievers in the American League. He was part of the magical 1995 Mariners team that beat the Yankees, and had two other seasons (1997/Mariners and 2002/Twins) in which he participated in the post-season. He finished his major league career with a record of 40-28, 414 career appearances, and more than 400 career strikeouts. Following his career, Wells returned to Yakima to raise his family.

“What a rare opportunity to work with someone who personifies all that we want in coaches,” Pippins President/COO Zachary Fraser said, “Bob is local, has had great success at the highest levels of the game, and is a guy who values doing things on and off the diamond the right way. With Marcus’ experience in the college game, and Bob’s experience in the professional game, I feel confident that our players will be led in the right direction right from the start.”

With the addition of Wells, McKimmy’s first-year staff is complete. Jacob White, a

graduate assistant at Northeastern State University (a NCAA Division II school in Tahlequah, OK) will also be at McKimmy’s side this inaugural season. White, who as a player helped lead Emporia State to the NCAA D-II College World Series and the championship game in 2009, won a Prospect League championship with the Quincy Gems as a player.

“I’m very pleased to welcome both Bob and Jacob to the staff this summer,” Head Coach Marcus McKimmy said. “I believe that every head coach is only as good as those who work alongside him, and both of these men will benefit the Pippins players and the organization. I was very patient in putting together a quality coaching staff that will maximize our team’s potential this summer. It was as much of an importance as assembling a quality roster of players. The entire staff is excited to get to work as soon as possible.” 

“We now have a staff that has a unique combination of experience,” said Fraser, “Both playing and teaching at every level we need in the WCL. Major Division-I college baseball with Marcus’ experience at Gonzaga, experiencing success within the summer collegiate level with both Marcus (at Wenatchee) and Jacob (at Quincy), and a respected veteran of the professional game in Bob, who will be able to lend great insight to players who are working to reach the levels he was so fortunate to reach. Marcus has done a phenomenal job in building this staff.”

The Yakima Valley Pippins Inaugural Season will commence at Yakima County Stadium on June 6th, 2014 at 7:05 P.M. against the Wenatchee AppleSox. Tickets are now on sale for the 2014 season, including full-season and partial-season packages. You can reach the Pippins Front office by calling 509-575-HITS (4487) or emailing us at info@pippinsbaseball.com.

Pippins gear is also available at the Pippins Front Office, the entire retail line can be seen at www.pippinsbaseball.com/pippinsgear, while ordering and purchasing can be done in person on via phone at 509-575-HITS (4487).