The Watertown Wizards are excited to announce that Nathan Kafka has been named head coach of the team for the 2012 season.

Kafka (Minnesota State '09) is currently the pitching coach at Minnesota Duluth. In 2010, Kafka returned to his alma mater, Minnesota State, as an assistant coach and helped guide the program to the Division II World Series. He spent last year at Milwaukee School of Engineering, an NCAA Division III program in Wisconsin.

A standout pitcher for the Mavericks of Minnesota State, Kafka began his collegiate pitching career at Madison Area Technical College. After two seasons with the Wolfpack, he continued his career at Minnesota State University. He topped the Mavericks in saves in both 2008 and 2009. Kafka was a Division II All-American in 2009 as well as an all-region and all-league selection. In addition, he picked up a conference "Pitcher of the Week" selection during his senior season in Mankato. No stranger to summer baseball, Kafka spent two summers with the Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League. The 2008 Madison Mallards were the Northwoods League championship runners-up; falling just one victory shy of the league title.

"We are thrilled to have Nate guide the team here in 2010," stated Wizards owner Todd Kirkey. "He has had experience in a professional clubhouse, as well as World Series experience (as a coach) and he played for a league championship with Madison of the Northwoods League."  Kirkey continued, "We feel that our players will play hard for Coach Kafka and represent our organization and community with the utmost professionalism. And with his connections in the Midwest, we feel he will be able to help us fill our roster with players we may not usually have a chance to sign. All in all, we feel very privledged that Nate chose us over some other opportunities he had."

Nathan Kafka Quotes...

On the opportunity to coach in Watertown:
"Watertown has a reputation of being a top-level organization and a staple in the PGCBL. I look forward to the challenge of being the field manager as well as helping our players achieve their professional goals and our organiziational goal which is a PGCBL championship.

Comments on the current roster:
"Well, it certainly looks like we can hit. Mr. Kirkey and his staff are excited about the team and I have been working with him closely in building the team over the past few weeks. All of the teams in this league are very talented; the PGCBL is establishing itself nationwide as a top summer league. I look forward to competing against the clubs in the PGCBL all summer long.

The Watertown Wizards open their season with an exhibition game on Monday, June 4, against New Rochelle. The home opener is on Wednesday, June 6, against defending PGCBL champion Newark. For ticket information or questions about the 2012 season, contact the Wizards are 315-212-4096 or at WatertownWizards@hotmail.com.