We have personnel news to report from the Corpus Christi Hooks (Class AA; Texas League) and the Boise Hawks (Short Season A; Northwest League).
In Corpus Christi, Brady Ballard has joined the Hooks as Assistant General Manager. Ballard, who holds 15 years of professional baseball experience, joins the Hooks after serving since 2016 as General Manager of FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, Spring Training and Gulf Coast League home of the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals in West Palm Beach, Florida. Ballard oversaw all business operations there, including its construction and opening in 2017. Under his guidance, the ballpark hosted more than 200 days annually of non-Spring Training events including national amateur baseball, soccer and lacrosse events, private hospitality and community events. Prior to that role, Ballard was Vice President of Historic Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, from 2013-16.
“Brady carries a wealth of knowledge and experiences in baseball leadership positions that will resonate within the Hooks organization,” said Hooks General Manager Wes Weigle. “We are excited for him to get started connecting with our fans and partners in Corpus Christi and across the Coastal Bend.”
Ballard’s last role in Minor League Baseball was in 2013, when he was named Executive of the Year in the Advanced-A Florida State League as General Manager of the Daytona Cubs. With the Cubs (now the Reds-affiliated Daytona Tortugas) between 2006-13, Ballard held the titles of Director of Sales, Assistant General Manager and General Manager. He received his start in professional baseball with the Jacksonville Suns (now Jumbo Shrimp) in various front office roles from 2004-05.
A two-time All-Big Ten Academic Team and 3rd-Team All-Big Ten outfielder, Ballard graduated from the University of Illinois in 2001 with a degree in economics.
“I am thrilled to be returning to Minor League Baseball in joining the Corpus Christi Hooks and continuing my relationship with the Houston Astros,” Ballard said. “I look forward to contributing to the Hooks traditions of family entertainment, great baseball and a fantastic atmosphere at Whataburger Field.”
In Boise, General Manager Bob Flannery has been promoted to Vice President and Assistant General Manager Mike Van Hise has been promoted to General Manager.
“Since we have taken over ownership and operations the Boise Hawks in 2015, we’ve been extremely excited about the staff, culture and enthusiasm in the community,” said Boise Hawks President and Partner Jeff Eiseman. “Two of the biggest contributors have been Bob and Mike, and it is with great pleasure that we are able to internally promote each to making our Boise Hawks stronger.”
Flannery arrived in Boise as the Hawks’ GM in 2014. Flannery has also served as the GM in Columbus, GA, New Haven, CT, Hagerstown, MD, and Augusta, GA. Bob was the Assistant Athletic Director at the University of Nebraska-Omaha and was the Head Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director at Nichols College. He got his start in minor league baseball in 1995 as the clubhouse manager for the Midland Angels. A native of South Hadley, Massachusetts, he is a 1990 graduate of the University of Massachusetts.
Van Hise arrived in Boise in 2015 as the AGM of the Hawks. Previous to Boise, he was the Ticket Sales Manager of the Hawks’ sister team, the Augusta GreenJackets. His MiLB career began with the Lakewood BlueClaws, where he spent nine seasons in Group Sales, Corporate Sales and Game Entertainment. Originally from Toms River, NJ, Mike lives in Boise and currently serves as Vice President of the Boise Metro Chamber Ambassador Committee.