In the Dutchess County Spotlight

The Hudson Valley Renegades, a short-season Class A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, has debuted their new team and won their opening game on Monday, June 18th.

The Renegades are back with manager Jared Sandberg, adding three new coaches for this season. Kyle Snyder is the new pitching coach; Dan DeMent as Bench Coach; and Brian Newman, as Athletic Trainer.

This is Sandberg's third year as 'Gades' manager. He's a veteran of the Rays organization, coaching since 2008. He has a 12-year playing career underneath his belt, with three of them being in the major leagues (Rays, 2001-03).

The Pitching Coach Kyle Sander makes his first season debut with the Renegades. He's been playing professional baseball since 1999. He was drafted in the first round by the Kansas City Royals and played with them for three years (2003, 2005-2006). The Boston Red Sox then claimed him, and he was part of the team from 2006-2008. The team went on to win their second World Series title in four years in 2007.

Bench Coach Dan DeMent is in his fourth season involved with the Ray organization, but it's his first in the Hudson Valley. DeMent spent his professional baseball career in the minor league system, reaching as high as Triple-A before entering his professional coaching career.

The Athletic Trainer Brian Newman is in his first year with the Renegades and the Rays' organization.

After Friday night games, look upward for the post-game fireworks. Come support the Renegades on Thursday, June 28 vs. Staten Island Yankees; tie up your boots and throw on that flannel to celebrate National Paul Bunyan Day. First 1,000 kids 12 and under receive a Bat Bag courtesy of New York Blood Center & Nathans Hot Dogs. Be there on Friday, June 22 vs. Staten Island Yankees, when they ask, "Where's Waldo: BYOF Edition, with Post-Game Fireworks. Put on your best Waldo impression to bring this popular iSpy game to life!

See you at the ballpark! For tickets, call the Renegades box office at 845-838-0094 and visit www.hvrenegades.com