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Sioux City, IA - The Sioux City Explorers announced today that they have finalized their coaching staff for the 2015 season.  Bobby Post will return as the X’s pitching coach, while Matt Passerelle has been named to field manager, Steve Montgomery’s coaching staff and will serve as the X’s hitting coach for the upcoming season.

Post is in his 4th season as pitching coach for the Explorers in two separate stints. He was the pitching coach in the 2009 and 2010 seasons under X’s manager Les Lancaster, as well as last season under field manager Steve Montgomery. Post did an admirable job as pitching coach for the Explorers last season, owning the American Association league lead with strikeouts (709). In addition, Bobby had at least one pitcher finish in the top 10 in these major statistical categories; earned run average, strikeouts, innings pitched and saves.

The Victorville, California native played at Cerritos Junior College (CA) and finished his collegiate career at the University of Nevada-Reno. Post had an impressive 18-5 record in his two seasons as pitcher with the Wolf Pack.

Once his college career commenced, Post played seven years of professional baseball, making stops in Taiwan, Sioux Falls and Sioux City with an overall record of 52-16 and 20 saves.

Once Post’s playing days were over, he wanted to pass on the knowledge that he has gained over the years to others through coaching. Bobby started his coaching career with the Barstow (CA) Community College Vikings as pitching coach, holding that title for three seasons. He then moved on to Sioux City’s own Briar Cliff University as their pitching coach, securing his position at BC for the last seven years. 

After his first two years as the pitching coach for the Explorers, Post moved on to the Calgary Vipers of the North American League in 2011 holding the same title. Post’s ability to coach and knowledge of the game rubbed off on the Vipers during his time at Calgary, allowing three of Bobby Posts pitchers to finish in the top 10 in wins and earned run average.

Bobby now makes his home in Sgt. Bluff, Iowa with his wife (Jennifer) and three daughters Alyssa, Emily, and Jayden.

Passerelle attended the highly touted NCAA Division I-MAAC School Iona College (New Rochelle, New York). Passerelle played collegiately with the Gaels for four years from 1996-2000. After the 2000 college baseball season he decided to play professionally with the Johnstown Johnnies of the Frontier League for the next three seasons (2000-02).

Coaching was always Passerelle’s niche. While playing college ball with Iona, he also was a part time instructor for Frozen Ropes, a baseball training facility in White Plains, NY. After graduating from Iona College, he was hired as assistant coach for the Gaels squad for the 2001-02 seasons. Once his playing career was over, he then became the general manager and head instructor of the Frozen Ropes facility in White Plains, NY. Matt decided to step away from this position after three years in 2005, for the exciting endeavor of opening his own Frozen Ropes training facility in Tinton Falls, NJ, which he still owns and operates today. In 2006 and 2007 he also coached in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League (collegiate summer baseball league).

With Passerelle’s experience as a former ball-player, coach and many years as an instructor, his resume stood out to major league ball-clubs. He was hired as an Associate Scout with the Baltimore Orioles in 2010 holding that position until 2012; He then obtained a position with the Kansas City Royals organization as an associate scout (2013-present) and coach for the Royals scout team (2013-2014).

Matt and his wife Meghan and daughter Savannah (3), make their home in Oakhurst, NJ.

“I am pleased to have Bobby returning to our coaching staff this season as he did a tremendous job last season and has played a big role in assisting me within our player recruiting department this off-season and everyone I have talked to has had a very high praise for Matt and his abilities as a hitting instructor and I am excited to have him join our staff for the upcoming season, stated field manager, Steve Montgomery.”

The X’s will open the 2015 regular season at home versus the Sioux Falls Canaries on Thursday, May 21^st with the first pitch set for 7:05 PM.  Individual game tickets will go on sale this Friday at 9:00 AM for all games on the 2015 schedule and group reservations are now being accepted for all 50 home games on the 2015 schedule, reserve your group outing now by calling 712-277-WINS.