Metros change things up
Brandon Underhill of the Niagara Metros. Photo by: NIAGARA METROS.
There is a changing of the guard at the top for the Niagara Metros.
Veteran pitcher Justin Ayles will take over as general manager while pitcher Dylan Perego will act as the field manager. Ayles replaces long-time Metros catcher Jono Marcheterre as GM, who spent 17 seasons with the club, while Perego steps in for manager Kerry Hedden after his 30-year career concluded following last season.
Ayles, a 27-year-old Grimsby resident, will also continue to play.
“It was kind of an abrupt kind of change. I felt comfortable taking on this role but I’m still young enough to be a productive pitcher on this team,” he said.
Perego will also continue to play.
“We’re on the hunt for one more coach to help when we’re both in the game. We know the team really well and are pretty good at recruiting players so we thought it would be a good opportunity,” Ayles said.
Perego is well aware he has big shoes to fill as Hedden’s successor.
“There is no substitute for someone like Kerry, who’s given as much to the club and the players as he has, but I am ecstatic to pick up where he left off,” Perego said. “We have a strong, driven, and competitive core that has the capacity to make a lot of noise in this league. This summer is the beginning of a new era, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Ayles plans to pick the brains of Marcheterre, Hedden as well as former player/coach/general manager Mark Walters.
“All three of them have been pretty helpful and I know they’re going to be there when I need them,” Ayles said.
Ayles has high hopes for the 2020 season after finishing 19-21 last season in the Central Ontario Baseball Association.
“As a team, we have taken big leaps forward with our young, homegrown talent. It’s tough to see some of our veterans retire, but I believe they have instilled a winning culture that will endure,” Ayles said. “I’m excited to put a bit more of my blueprint on this program and work to get to a place where we are competing for championships.”
The Metros are losing veterans Marcheterre, Dave Davidson, Jonathan Paul, Matt Cashburn and Taylor Anderson.
“We’re going to be a younger team,” Ayles said. “We have some prospects we’re working on.”
The team will return a strong core, led by Brandon Underhill and Nathan Laird, the last two COBA rookies of the year.
“This is the year we’re going to take some big steps to be very competitive again and have a shot at winning the Elims (Elimination Tournament) in August,” Ayles said.
For more information, contact Ayles at Niagarametros@hotmail.com.
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