We have personnel news to report from the New Jersey Jackals (independent; Frontier League) and the Columbia Fireflies (Low A; Sally League).
The Jackals have named Gil Addeo their new General Manager. Previously serving as the club’s Group Sales and Event Coordinator, Addeo is the fifth General Manager in team history. His duties will include general oversight of the entire operation including sales, community relations and being a liaison to the Frontier League.
“Gil Addeo is an outstanding professional, and I’m excited to have him move into his new position as General Manager,” said New Jersey Jackals President of Baseball Operations Greg Lockard. “He has excelled at every level within our company, and this promotion is well deserved.”
The 2020 season will mark Addeo’s third season with the Jackals where he has risen through the ranks. While attending Montclair State University in January 2018, he joined the organization as a Sales Associate Intern and handled various duties ranging from analyzing and developing sales and marketing materials to working in season ticket sales and customer service. Last year he was promoted to Group Sales and Event Coordinator. While flourishing in the new role which encompassed group sales and sponsorship sales and working in game day operations, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in May 2019.
“Playing in the Frontier League is a game-changing opportunity for the New Jersey Jackals. We’re playing on a bigger stage now, and Gil Addeo is the right person at the right time to be our General Manager,” said New Jersey Jackals Owner Al Dorso Sr. “Gil brings a perfect blend of creative passion and analytical thinking to the table, and I can’t wait to see how he leads our organization to draw more fans and make the Jackals an even more alluring community relations and business partner.”
Addeo has ambitious plans for the team this season. The organization is putting significant muscle behind all areas of community relations to both develop new ties while maintaining existing healthy relationships with local towns, schools, charities and summer camps. These activities will range from player and Jack the Jackal visits to a planned robust slate of community awareness nights at Yogi Berra Stadium this summer. Addeo has already created several exciting new programs to enhance the team’s family-friendly atmosphere. The organization has also aggressively expanded its sales force to grow its group sales efforts while coming up with new in-stadium vehicles to attract new marketing partners.
“I always knew that I wanted to work in baseball and working for the Jackals felt right the moment I started my internship. I am humbled and grateful to Greg Lockard and the Dorso family for entrusting me with this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Addeo said. “I’m counting on our talented staff to answer the challenge of expanding our loyal fan base and strengthening relationships with Montclair State University and all our neighboring communities. And it certainly wouldn’t hurt if we can win a second consecutive championship.”
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In Columbia, the Fireflies have named John Kocsis Jr. their new Broadcasting/Media Relations Manager.
Kocsis becomes the second broadcaster in Fireflies history, replacing Kevin Fitzgerald, who has left the team to pursue other broadcasting opportunities.
Kocsis will broadcast all 140 Fireflies games, which will be available for fans to listen to on ColumbiaFireflies.com and through the TuneIn Radio App. Each broadcast will begin with a fifteen-minute pre-game show prior to first pitch.
“I’m excited to join the Columbia community and staff,” Kocsis remarked. “This organization has set a high standard since joining the South Atlantic League in 2015 and I’m excited to continue the legacy that Kevin has started in the booth at Segra Park.”
The Cleveland, OH native brings three years of South Atlantic League experience to the booth after spending the 2019 season as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Hagerstown Suns and spending the previous two seasons in a variety of roles in and out of the booth with the West Virginia Power. In addition to his work in baseball, Kocsis was also the lead broadcaster for OhioVarsity.com and broadcasted football and basketball games for West Virginia Radio Corporation.
”We are extremely excited to have John join our Fireflies family this season,” said Director of Marketing for the Fireflies, Ashlie DeCarlo. “He brings with him a great amount of experience and commitment to the community and we are thrilled to have him as our new voice of the Fireflies.”