FORNEY, Texas – North Forney High School baseball has a bright future, according to Forney Independent School District Athletic Director Neal Weaver.
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Although the team is losing their head coach, Rick Geer, to an administrative position at the district, his son, Zach Geer, who served as his assistant this past baseball season, will be stepping up to the plate to serve as the team's new head coach.
“Rick and Zach Geer brought a vision and stability to the North Forney Baseball program that we believe in, and they improved the team all the way through last season,” Weaver told inForney.com. “I know father is always available for son, but Zach is ready to launch the Falcons forward as newly appointed head coach.”
Weaver also announced the addition of two new assistant coaches: Stayton Thomas and Mason Leech. “Thomas and Leech bring a great set of teaching skills to the field,” said Weaver.
Thomas played baseball with the University of Texas before being drafted his senior year by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 43rd round of the 2011 MLB Junior Amateur Draft and spent a couple season in the minor leagues. Mason Leech played at Austin College in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“I think our program is moving in the right direction,” said Head Coach Zach Geer speaking on the addition of Thomas and Leech. “I think its only going to continue to get better.”
The team will go into the next season short six seniors due to graduation but Geer says they have retained some key starting players and all-district notables. Last season, of the returning players, Senior Haden James was named District 10-4A First Team first baseman, Junior Gabe Noland was named First Team second baseman, Junior Garret Morris was named Second Team pitcher, and Senior Bubba Valdez was an honorable mention.
“North Forney has a lot of kids that are really good at baseball,” said Geer. “They put a lot of trust in my dad last season and he gave them a foundation and stability. We're going to continue to build on the foundation we established last season.”
Off-season baseball practice begins the first day of school, August 25. “It will be exciting for the Falcons, and I believe their future is very bright,” said Weaver.
“Rick and Zach Geer brought a vision and stability to the North Forney Baseball program that we believe in, and they improved the team all the way through last season,” Weaver told inForney.com. “I know father is always available for son, but Zach is ready to launch the Falcons forward as newly appointed head coach.”
Weaver also announced the addition of two new assistant coaches: Stayton Thomas and Mason Leech. “Thomas and Leech bring a great set of teaching skills to the field,” said Weaver.
Thomas played baseball with the University of Texas before being drafted his senior year by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 43rd round of the 2011 MLB Junior Amateur Draft and spent a couple season in the minor leagues. Mason Leech played at Austin College in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“I think our program is moving in the right direction,” said Head Coach Zach Geer speaking on the addition of Thomas and Leech. “I think its only going to continue to get better.”
The team will go into the next season short six seniors due to graduation but Geer says they have retained some key starting players and all-district notables. Last season, of the returning players, Senior Haden James was named District 10-4A First Team first baseman, Junior Gabe Noland was named First Team second baseman, Junior Garret Morris was named Second Team pitcher, and Senior Bubba Valdez was an honorable mention.
“North Forney has a lot of kids that are really good at baseball,” said Geer. “They put a lot of trust in my dad last season and he gave them a foundation and stability. We're going to continue to build on the foundation we established last season.”
Off-season baseball practice begins the first day of school, August 25. “It will be exciting for the Falcons, and I believe their future is very bright,” said Weaver.