Nieckula excited about 5th year with Cougars
I caught up with Cougars manager Aaron Nieckula at the team's annual banquet, which was held Friday night at Riverside Receptions and Conference Center in Geneva.
Nieckula, who currently lives in Aurora, is entering his third year as manager, fifth year overall with the Cougars, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
The Cougars' season opens April 3 on the road against Beloit. The first game at Elfstrom Stadium is against Burlington April 7.
Q:With cold and icy weather conditions outside, don't you wish it was baseball season right now?
A: "Everyone asks me that question…I'd like to see 70 and 80 degree weather days on a consistent basis, so I'm definitely looking forward to getting back in the season."
Q:You are going to be a father for the first time. Talk a little bit about that.
A: "My wife is expecting April 3, opening day on the road. We are very excited. I figured we'd have the baby then throw out the first pitch, see what happens. We don't know if it is a boy or a girl, it's going to be a surprise. We are excited to become parents.
"It's great (coming back to the area) for a fifth year. That's the great thing about the A's. They certainly try to put you in situations or areas where you may be close to family or close to home, so I'm very thankful to be back here for a fifth season. It's everyone's aspiration or goal to move up the chain of command and have that opportunity to coach in the big leagues some day, but to be back here and be able to see the birth of my child makes it a lot easier…I'm very fortunate to be back."
Q:The staff, for the most part, is back, with the exception of the trainer, Justin Whitehouse. That has to be nice.
A: "That is nice. Everyone gets along, there's a nice chemistry. I am very excited to be back with Donnie (Schulze, pitching coach) and Benny (Winslow, hitting coach). I've worked with Nate (Brooks, the new trainer) before in instructional league, so him and I are very familiar with one another. He's a great young man, he knows his stuff, he gets along with all the players. Justin will be missed…but Nate will do just fine."
Q:Any idea which players are coming back from last year's team?
A: "I don't really know who is coming back. In instructional league (which takes place after the season in September), you kind of get an idea of who is coming and who is not, but to tell you the truth, I don't know. Certainly I'd want all 25 guys to get promoted, that's our goal. They want to play well enough not to repeat the league, but in Minor League Baseball, maybe because there is a logjam at a higher level, you are going to have to repeat the level, or at least start the season in Kane County and maybe get promoted later in the season."