Carminucci eager to work with young, speedy ‘Jacks

BANGOR – Not only do the Bangor Lumberjacks have a new manager, they have 24 players for him to manage.

Chris Carminucci, the former Lumberjacks batting coach who was officially introduced as manager of the independent Can-Am League team Thursday, confirmed that at least three Lumberjacks players will be back in Bangor this season.

Catcher Brad Hargreaves, first baseman Mark Burke, and pitcher Jerry Long are among the 24 players signed by the Lumberjacks, who have also inked Houlton native and former University of Maine pitcher Ryan Harris.

“Guys like Brad and Mark are important to have around,” Carminucci said. “They mean a lot to the younger guys in the locker room and on the field and you rely even more on those kinds of veteran players in independent ball.”

Carminucci said Harris was someone the team invited to a tryout late last season, but he wasn’t signed because Bangor’s pitching staff was a team strength at the time.

The 2005 Lumberjacks squad, which starts its preseason camp on May 15, should be both young and fast.

“We’re not going to have a lot of power, so you’re going to see this team play a lot of National League ball, which I’m a big proponent of,” Carminucci said. “We’re going to bunt and move guys over and steal… Whatever we have to do to win.”

Joining Carminucci on Bangor’s staff are former Lumberjack pitcher and LaSalle University pitching coach John Duffy, who will serve in the same role with Bangor. Carminucci also plans to hire a hitting coach.

The team begins its third season of play and second in Bangor at home on May 26.