GREEN BAY, Wis. (Nick Witwer) 5/24/2023 – Blue Ribbons Manager Anthony Sottile is entering his third year as manager of the team and while he may be the smallest person on the field, his love for the game of baseball is unmatched. Sottile, while managing the Blue Ribbons, has also been working as an assistant manager at Ripon college. He attended four years at Marian University and played as both a pitcher and an outfielder. In 2019 Sottile played for the De Pere Dodgers (later became the Blue Ribbons) and posted a 2.91 ERA quickly becoming one of the team’s top pitchers. He would later move to coaching following an injury that would keep him from being on the mound for the rest of the season. Sottile took over as Blue Ribbons manager is 2021 and despite having losing records in his first two seasons, he received a high amount of praise from his players on how he is able to help them develop over the course of the summer. The Blue Ribbons PA announcer recently spoke with Sottile as himself and his team prepare for the 2023 season.
Q: Which returning players are you excited to have back for 2023?
A: “It’s funny. We just have so many good guys. Obviously, Noah Robinson, Griffin Summers, your veterans that have been around for a long time, but then you’ve got your James Bornicks, your Ethan Habetlers, Liam Jones, Trent Van Ess, Tucker Kohl, Tyler Blum, I could go on forever. I mean, there’s so many different guys that bring so many different things to the table.”
Q: Which new guys should fans have their eyes on this season?
A: “We’ve got a couple really good guys out here. Quinn Falish, Colton Daniels, kid can fly, he’s got a great swing and some of the pitchers, Gavin Rusch, Reece Piontek. These guys are going to play a big role in our success this year and we’re really excited to have them on this team and have them out there performing for us.”
Q: What is your proudest moment as manager of the Blue Ribbons?
A: “I definitely have to say, it’s just watching how many of these guys have developed over the time that I’ve known them. Since day one of 2021, to now of 2023, just to see how much they’ve grown as ball players and as men, it just is a rewarding feeling because in the job of coaching your goal is to prepare these guys for life. When you can actually see the maturity levels rise and the different things that they do that maybe they didn’t do before really makes you feel good about yourself and it also just makes you feel good about the culture that we and the organization have built around what we expect. These guys live by it and it makes everyone better at the end of the day.
Q: What is your toughest moment?
A: “Definitely getting thrown out of that game in Burlington last year. I don’t really lose my temper very often but that was definitely my lowest point. I’m not happy with myself after that but, hopefully we don’t end up back in that situation again this year.
Q: Last year you took the mound for a game, do you have anything left in the tank?
A: I can’t say. I feel like if the adrenaline gets going, I might be able to do it again but, I think and I’m hoping that we have enough depth this year that I don’t have to call my own number. Cause I paid for it for about a week and a half afterwards. It’s not ideal but it felt good to be out there again that’s for sure.”
Q: What is your goal for the team this season?
A: “This team has so much potential. At the end of the day, we want to win out both leagues, the (Wisconsin) State League and the NEWBL (Northeastern Wisconsin Baseball League). And then at the end of the year win that State Championship. I think that’s a more than obtainable goal for the level of talent we have on this team but a weekly goal, daily goal, just be better than we were the day before.”
Q: There’s word this might be your last season with the team, what is next for Anthony Sottile?
A: “You know, it’s a very difficult decision to have to make because this is where it all started for me. To see where the organization has come over the last few years has been incredible. For me, I don’t know, it’s an interesting question that I’m trying to answer myself. Obviously, I want to stay in the sport and I want to continue to coach but, I want to find the right place that I can learn about and do the right things for and help them become the best program that they can be as well.”
Sottile and the Blue Ribbons will start off the 2023 season at home on Tuesday, May 30. To listen to the full interview with Manager Anthony Sottile, with an appearance from Assistant Manager Haydon Price, follow and listen to the newest episode of the FerDaRibbs Podcast here or on Amazon Music, Apple Podcast, and Spotify.