General Manager: Gordon B. Guess
Guess is the general manager and official spokesperson for the 23 individuals who have invested in the Marion Bobcats. He began working feverishly on his dream in late 2007 and early 2008 to found the first summer baseball league team in Marion since 1949. He has shepherded the Bobcats through three season, and in late fall 2010 was elected president of the new Ohio Valley League in which the Bobcats will play beginning summer 2011. Though he will be busy with league business, he will continue as general manager duties for Marion.
A primary investor in the club, the retired president of The Peoples Bank of Marion, Ky., handles the financial interests of the club, including securing advertising revenue and donations of time and services from the community in order to keep the club running efficiently. While Guess leaves the on-field directing to his manager, his knowledge of the game has been known to help a few hitters emerge from slumps.
A lifelong and avid baseball fan, Guess played organized baseball through his his service in the U.S. Army. He has even attended a Los Angeles Dodgers fantasy camp in Vero Beach, Fla. While at his favorite Major League team's fantasy camp, Guess earned the nickname "Big Scoop" because of his stature and ability to dig balls out of the dirt at first base.
Medley was named the Bobcats manager in the fall of 2010 following the resignation of Steve Fowler, who guided Marion through its first three seasons. In the Bobcats' inaugural season under Fowler, Medley, 23, posted eight saves and a 0.40 ERA.
After graduating from Belhaven University in Jackson, Miss. in 2009, Medley put down the rosin bag in favor of coaching the game he loves. In the fall of 2010, he served as an assistant baseball coach at John Hardin High School in Elizabethtown, Ky. Prior to that, he spent 2009-10 as varsity pitching coach at his alma mater, Washington County High School in Springfield, Ky.
"Being a former player and now coach will give me a better eagles-eye view of how to best facilitate the game as it comes to our team over a grueling season of 50 or so baseball games in 60 some odd days, Medley said.
With Bobcats, he plans to work closely with the pitching staff as a coach, but will leave most of the offensive and fielding to his assistant coach, freeing more time to manage the club on the field and off.
As a pitcher in both college, summer league and professional baseball with the Shreveport-Bossier City (La.) Captains, Medley set several records and earned numerous honors. He was named as an All-American in college as well as a KIT League All-Star while with the Bobcats in 2008.
Assistant Coach: David "Davo" Gilbert
Gilbert will join Medley in the clubhouse as a first-year coach for the Bobcats. The two have a history together, both having played at Belhaven University in Gilbert's native Mississippi.
Gilbert will be only 26 when the 2011 season starts, but he already has a few years of coaching under his belt. He is in his second year as an assistant coach at Brookhaven Academy in Mississippi, coming off a state championship in 2010. Prior to that, he served as first base coach for two years at his college alma mater.
As a player, Gilbert has played for two independent league franchises—the Macon (Ga.) Music and Texas Heat in Dallas. He has also had three workout invitations from the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla. and Atlantic City, N.J.
With the Bobcats in 2011, he will serve primarily as a hitting coach.
Clubhouse Manager: Dave Hunt
Hunt, a resident of Marion, has served as clubhouse manager for the Bobcats since the team's inception in 2008. As clubhouse manager, Hunt ensures that players have the equipment they need come game time. Doubling as trainer, he also sees that medical attention players need is available.
Hunt's volunteer duties begin long before game time and end long after the last fan has left the ballpark. He attends most practices, making sure the players are hydrated, and he often provides tips on fundamentals. For road trips, he regularly drives one of the vans carrying players to and from the game.
Official Scorer and
Public Address Announcer: Brad Dossett
A Crittenden County native and former radio broadcaster, Dossett is the official scorer and public address announcer at Guess Field, home of the Bobcats. He has served in that capacity since the team was established.
Well before the first pitch, Dossett makes his way to the press box to input the line-ups into the complex software that compiles league statistics. As PA announcer, Dossett introduces the line-ups and players as they dig in at the plate. He is also responsible for announcing contests and give-aways at the ballpark.
As a high school athlete, Dossett was a member of Crittenden County's 1985 state champion football team.
Publicity: Daryl K. Tabor
Tabor, also a native of Marion, has worked closely with Guess to promote the Bobcats since before plans for the team were made public in January 2008. A career journalist and graphic designer, he handles marketing of the team both through printed materials and this Web site.
Prior to Opening Day each year, Tabor prepares the team's program handed out free at each home game. During the season, he sends news releases to media outlets, updates MarionBobcats.com with results and news and creates the nightly line-up and information pamphlets made available to fans at games.
He also works in the press box, operating the scoreboard on occasion.
Assistant Trainer: Carl Hatfield
Another native of Marion, Hatfield will join Clubhouse Manager David Hunt on the training staff as an assistant beginning 2011, allowing Hunt to spend more time in the summer with his family. Hatfield's parents, Jim and Bonita, have also been avid Bobcat supporters, having hosted players for the summer in past seasons.
Promotions: Chris Browning
Another home-grown product, Browning will be assisting in planning and carrying out promotional efforts for the Bobcats. Browning has assisted the team in the past couple of years in the press box, most notably by operating the scoreboard.
Guess has plans for Browning to assist Dossett in 2011, sharing in public address duties during games. He will be the game-time voice for contests and other announcements each night at Guess Field.
Browning lives in Marion and works at Livingston Hospital in Salem as an information technology specialist.
Concessions: Kathy James
James has been a fixture in the concession stand for two seasons, serving up hot dogs and drinks to fans. In 2010, she began her role as concessions manager.
Tickets: Frank Blackburn
An active member in the community, Blackburn enters his second year as ticket manager for Marion. He is employed as a funeral director at Myers Funeral Home in Marion.
As ticket manager, Blackburn will oversee sales and distribution of passes to home games, particularly to corporate sponsors of special nights at the ballpark.He also ensures that ticket sales are completed accurately and to the satisfaction of the customers.