University of Arkansas-Fort Smith assistant baseball coach Rob Vessell has been named as the pitching coach for the Coastal Plain League’s Edenton Steamers.
Vessell will join Georgia College and State University assistant coach Steve Moritz on Steamers head coach Dirk Kinney’s staff. Moritz will be the hitting coach.
The Steamers, which are based in Edenton, N.C., are one of 15 teams from North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia competing in the Coastal Plain League, which is a summer collegiate baseball league. The Steamers, which play at Historic Hicks Field, begin play in May.
“This is a great opportunity, and one that I am looking forward to. I am proud to represent the university and our baseball program,” Vessell said. “This is another stepping stone in my coaching career that I can benefit from, and I am excited about getting this opportunity.”
Vessell begins his second season as NCAA Division II Lions pitching coach, recruiting coordinator and academic advisor. He was previously the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Division II Henderson State University.
The Russellville, Ark., native was an assistant coach for six seasons at Henderson State. The last season he was with the Reddies, who compete in the Gulf South Conference, they posted a 34-16 win-loss mark and set the school record for wins in a season, as well as being ranked as high as No. 7 in the country.
During his six seasons, Vessell coached 21 all-conference players, five all-region players and three All-Americans, as well as one player who was drafted in the 26th round by the Kansas City Royals.
Vessell is a 1999 graduate of Russellville High School, where he was a three-sport athlete earning all-state honors in baseball as a junior and senior. He played four seasons at Division II Arkansas Tech University. The former pitcher helped lead the Wonder Boys to a runner-up finish in the Gulf South Conference in 2001 and holds the Wonder Boys’ record for most appearances during a career with 63.
Heading into its 15th season, the Coastal Plain League gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer, and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. The Coastal Plain League has had more than 800 alumni drafted and 39 alums make their Major League debut thus far.
