Jacey returns as GM Lumberjacks eager for May 26 opener

BANGOR – Former Bangor Lumberjacks general manager Curt Jacey can take the “former” out of his title now.

Jacey, who has been the G.M. of the Lumberjacks for the last two seasons, will be back in the same position for the Lumberjacks’ second consecutive season at Winkin Complex in Bangor and third in Eastern Maine.

The New York native and University of Hartford graduate was fired by team owner Charles “Chip” Hutchins along with almost all other full-time and part-time employees last October as part of an organizational housecleaning and offseason reorganization plan. His rehiring became official on Monday.

“The decision to fire personnel back in October was a management decision, but Chip and I have kept in contact the whole winter,” Jacey said. “We had a meeting in early January and decided to give it another shot.”

Jacey said the first order of business is bringing back former corporate sponsors and lining up potential new ones.

“We need to regroup and get the word out that the team is indeed back and start building interest back up in the team to sell tickets,” he said.

Also back is former sales associate Ryan Conley, an Ellsworth native who has been with the team the last two seasons. Jacey said the Thomas College graduate has been promoted to full-time assistant general manager.

How will Jacey address concerns of fans who have been beset by rumors the team would be sold and moved out of Bangor?

“That’s a good question. We’re up against it, that’s for sure,” Jacey said. “What he have to do is build excitement back up. There’s going to be baseball come May 26 home, the league is getting stronger, and we’re here to sell Lumberjacks baseball.”

Attempts to reach Hutchins Monday were unsuccessful.

Bangor will open the season against New Jersey at home May 26, the first of 46 home games during the 92-game regular season of the Can-Am League, formerly the Northeast League.

Despite the name change, the league is essentially the same and features eight independently owned teams with the addition of a franchise in Worcester, Mass. The Worcester team replaces the league-owned and managed Aces, a travelling team which played no home games and was brought in late last preseason to fill in for the defunct Allentown (Pa.) Ambassadors.