One veteran departs and another steps in, as the Boulders have named veteran catcher and Team Captain Marcus Nidiffer as the team’s new pitching coach. Nidiffer, who will remain active as a player as well, assumes the position in the wake of the departure of Richard Salazar, who was hired for a coaching position in the Minnesota Twins’ organization.

Among the most popular players in franchise history, the 30-year-old right-handed hitter has spent the last four of his eight professional seasons wearing the Boulders’ red, white, and blue. During that span he has amassed 66 homers and 277 RBI in 330 games, earning Can-Am All-Star honors.

“It was tough to lose someone as valuable as Rich Salazar,” noted Boulders Manager Jamie Keefe, “but this just seemed like a natural fit. Nobody knows our pitchers better than Marcus and this lets us make the most of his experience even when he’s not behind the plate.” It’s also fitting that Nidiffer should follow in the pitching coach role, as he was the catcher for the vast majority of Salazar’s starts during his tenure with the organization. 

“Jamie has a lot of faith in him,” added Team President Shawn Reilly, “and we think this is a great move for our fans, our team, and for Marcus. It’s just another reason to be excited for the start of the new season.”

Season eight of Boulders Baseball officially gets underway on Thursday, May 17, 2018, when Rockland’s Team hosts the Sussex County Miners for a 6:30 pm start. In addition to their Opening Day opponent, the Boulders will face Can-Am rivals such as the New Jersey Jackals, Quebec Capitales, Ottawa Champions, and Trois-Rivieres Aigles, and Showcase opponents featuring the Dominican Republic and Salina Stockade.

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