(July 18, 2023) Mena, Arkansas – Head Baseball Coach Junior Weaver is excited to announce his coaching staff for the 2023-24 academic year. Weaver took over as the head baseball coach in June and has an entire new staff joining him at UA Rich Mountain.
Cade Fenton – Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator/Strength & Conditioning
The Farmington, Arkansas native joins the Bucks after a college baseball career at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas and at the University of Central Arkansas, where he was a right-handed pitcher. In his time at UCA, he started 18 games and pitched 80.1 innings. He will handle the pitch calling for the Bucks this season along with running the strength and conditioning program. Coach Fenton will also serve as the Recruiting Coordinator.
Jorge Ramirez – Hitting Coach/Catchers
Originally from Kissimmee, FL, Coach Ramirez started his career at Saint John's River State College before transferring to Wallace Community College in Dothan, AL. He batted .473 in 22 games with 7 home runs and 25 RBIs. He then transferred to Florida International University, where he hit .284 in 37 games with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs in 2022. In 2023, he transferred to Rollins College and finished as a NCAA DII National Runner-Up. He will coach the hitters and the catchers for the Bucks.
Bailey Butler – Assistant Hitting Coach/Infield
The Little Rock, AR native joins the Bucks after a stint as a volunteer coach at Russellville High School. Coach Butler spent a year playing at Lyon College after graduation before getting into coaching. Coach Butler has spent the past two summers coaching in the Natural State Collegiate League in Hot Springs. He has also coached in the Sticks Organization. He will assist with the hitters and coach the infielders.
Josh Wilson – Assistant Pitching & Bullpen Coach
From Carrolton, TX, Coach Wilson was the 2nd round (70th overall) draft pick in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He had originally signed to play at the University of Texas out of high school. He spent 6 years in the minor leagues with the organization, making it as high as AA with the Springfield Cardinals. Coach Wilson comes to UARM from Tyler, TX, where is helps run the East Texas Spikes organization. He is married to Cecily and the couple have two kids: Austin (13) and Cason (7).
Coach Junior Weaver is excited about the new additions to his staff. "These guys have hit the ground running from day one on the job. We are out recruiting and trying to solidify our roster for the Fall. I'm ready for our athletes to report in August and start working with our new staff and student-athletes."
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