Kevin Frady (Photo contributed)

Contributed

The Kelowna Falcons announced Monday that head tutor Kevin Frady will return for his third season in 2010.

Frady took through the head coaching role with the Falcons in the summer of 2008 and has led his team to back to back appearances in the Eastern Division Championship of the Pacific Coast League.

“I’m excited Kevin has decided to return to our dance club said Falcons general manger Mark Nonis. “I understand with his experience and skill he has a number of choices and I feel lucky he is coming back.

“Kevin demands regard and a strong job ethic from his players and I think they get better players and people since of it.  I know Kevin feels love he has some unfinished deal here in Kelowna and is looking forward to getting back up here.”

During the academy year Frady is an assistant coach at the University of Kansas a nationally ranked university program each year. The Falcons are 45-44 with Frady at the helm.

Frady said about the coming season “I am looking forward to returning to Kelowna for my third summer like I have come to understand that continuity in this union is paramount to achieve success.

“With the help of Mark Nonis I feel that we have put together the best team we’ve had in three years. This team will hit for power run and protect much like the 2008 Falcons. As often pitching will be the key and I am confident that we have assembled a variety of armament that will keep our opponents guessing.

“I am in the process of rounding out my coaching staff and I am very excited with what they will bring to the mix. Jeff James who is an Assistant Coach at Everett (WA.) Community College will be joining us. Jeff is an up and coming young coach who has a very clever future in this game. Joe Wilkins of Pepperdine University or Brett Lachemann (son of former large league manager Marcel Lahemann) will also be joining us as my Pitching Coach. I am confident that either of these two will be a tremendous asset and resource to our players!

“Kelowna offers so much to these kids and I as far as a summer baseball experience is concerned. I am excited re-energized and very eager to get up there and give the fans of Kelowna an exciting trademark of baseball to watch in 2010.”

Frady and Nonis have already received 18 contracts of the 30-plus players they have listed on their 2010 roster and will begin their 2010 season June 4 in Bellingham WA. against the Bells.

The Falcons home opener is June 11 against the newly expanded Walla Walla Sweets.

sports@kelowna.com

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