Rick Sofield #25

**Coaching/Playing Career** Rick Sofield was named to Clint Hurdle's coaching staff on October 31, 2012. He will also oversee the club's baserunning and outfield efforts at the Major League level. Sofield returned to the Pirates in 2012 for his second stint with the organization and managed West Virginia to a 61-78 record in the South Atlantic League. He served the club as its Minor League Field Coordinator in 2002. Prior to joining the Pirates, Rick spent four years as the Head Coach at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. He also spent time at the collegiate level as the head baseball coach at the University of Utah for eight years (1987-1994) and with his alma mater, South Carolina University for three years as an assistant coach (1984-86). Including his managerial stint with West Virginia in 2012, Sofield has spent six seasons as a manager in the minor leagues, compiling a 391-392 (.499) record. He managed in the Montreal farm system from 1995-97, guiding Harrisburg to the Eastern League championship in 1997. For his effort that season, he was the recipient of the John McHale award, an honor bestowed upon the Expos' top performer in the area of player development. Sofield also spent two seasons (1999-2000) as the Minor League Field Coordinator with the Dodgers after doing so with the Expos in 1998. A former number one pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 1975 June Draft (13th overall selection), Sofield spent three years as an outfielder in the Major Leagues with the Twins (1979-1981) and compiled a .243 average, nine home runs and 66 RBI in 207 games. He made his big league debut on 4/6/79 and singled off Matt Keough for his first Major League hit at Oakland on 4/7/79. The left-handed hitter spent the entire 1980 season with Minnesota and appeared in 131 games. He connected off Steve McCatty for his first Major League home run on 4/10/80 and also hit an inside-the-park homer that season on 7/11 at Seattle. Sofield also played a total of 10 years in the minor leagues with the Twins and in the Texas organization, retiring as a player following the 1982 campaign. He played his last big league game on 10/4/81 and went 3-for-6 against the White Sox in Chicago. **Personal** Richard Michael Sofield...Wife's name is Elaine...Has one stepson; Brady (21)...Is a 1975 graduate of Morristown (NJ) High School, where he played baseball and football...Signed a football scholarship to play quarterback at the University of Michigan before being selected by Minnesota in the first round of the 1975 June Draft...Worked with the outfielders and as a hitting instructor while serving as an Assistant Coach at South Carolina University for three years (1984-86) while pursuing his degree...Participated in the Pirates annual team caravan this past December.