The Hoptown Hoppers have selected Elbert J. “EJ” Devarie from a strong applicant pool as the club’s new Head Coach for the 2023 season. Devarie, 29, grew up in Florida and makes his summer league head coaching debut with the Hoppers after a strong stint in assistant roles.
Devarie’s resume includes three seasons as a collegiate summer league assistant, including a spot on the staff of the Brewster Whitecaps during their 2021 Cape Cod League championship season. A former Ball State standout shortstop, he also has collegiate assistant coaching experience at Seton Hall, Keystone (PA) College, and Marian (IN) University. EJ recently joined the staff at the University of Indianapolis.
“I’m really excited to have this opportunity and am ready to get down to Hopper’s territory and have a great summer in Kentucky,” Devarie said. “Really looking forward to putting an exciting team on the field, day in and day out, and to experience the town of Hopkinsville out on the ball field. Go Hoppers!”
The new Hopper Skipper says he is already reaching out to few candidates for assistant coaching positions. His goal is to bring on the right assistants who will help in daily player development and who want to win as much as he does.
Devarie is also already hot on the recruiting trail, using his summer ball and collegiate connections to see how much of the Hoppers roster he can fill. He will be reaching out to different schools with Hopper player and coaching experience to fill remaining spots.
“The Hoppers organization is excited to welcome EJ Devarie as our next head coach. He has a very impressive resume as both a coach and player,” said Charlie Henderson, Hoppers board chair. “Having played professionally, and coached at all levels of college baseball, he possesses a very unique and valuable experience. Everyone is looking forward to his leadership in the upcoming season.”
Devarie is married and plans to bring his wife, Erin, with him for next summer’s Hopper campaign.
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The search for a new Hoppers General Manager remains underway after former GM Ted Jatczak stepped down earlier this month after following a four-year stint. Interested candidates can email hoptownhoppers@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting GM applications is October 7 (Friday).
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