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.
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 effeciently. 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", describing both his stature and ability to dig balls out of the dirt at first base.
Fowler is a Hopkins County native and a 1979 graduate of Madisonville-North Hopkins High School in. He is married with two sons, lives in Hanson, Ky., and is employed by the Muhlenberg County school district.
A catcher by trade, Fowler played college ball at Wabash Valley Junior College, Kentucky Weslyan and the University of Evansville. At the age of 20, he was offered a shot with the Cincinnati Reds, and following his 1981 tryout at Riverfront Stadium, a team scout offered an invitation to Florida for spring training. His performance in the Sunshine State was good enough to earn a place on a low-level farm team in Virginia. With a wife and baby, though, he declined the offer in order to focus on family.
In 2010, Fowler will enter his third season as skipper of the Marion Bobcats.
Fowler was the first general manager and field manager of the Tradewater Pirates in 1999 and amassed 187 wins while there.
Assistant Coach: Jason Stowers
Stowers begins his first year as Fowler's assistant in the dugout and on the field. A pitcher and shortstop in college, he will work closely with the 2010 staff.
Stowers is in his fourth year as pitching coach at his alma mater of Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, Ky. He is also the winningest coach ever at June Buchanan (Ky.) High School, which under his leadership set 17 school records and went 20-14 in his first season, doubling the previous school record for wins.
As a player, Stowers was an all-star in the Southern Collegiate League where he played with the Asheville Thunder and Johnson City Redbirds.
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 sometimes providing tips on fundamentals. For road trips, he regularly drives one of the vans carrying players to and from the game. As a bat boy, his grandson, Ethan, can often be found in the dugout with is grandpa.
Official Scorer: Brad Dossett
A Crittenden County native and former radio broadcaster, Dossett is the official scorer and public address announcer at Gordon B. Guess Feild, 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 KIT 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 often works in the press box, operating the scoreboard.
Concessions: Kory Wheeler
Wheeler, in her third year as concessions manager for the Bobcats, knows a thing or two about food. Along with her husband, she owns and operates two Marion restaurants – The Front Porch and Main Street Coffee Shop and Grill.
While concessions are her primary responsibility, Wheeler also does a lot of behind-the-scenes work for the team even during the off-season. At most home games, she can be found at Guess Field along with both of her children, either preparing concessions or performing some other task around the park.
Besides baseball, Wheeler has been an active soccer supporter in Crittenden County.
Tickets: Frank Blackburn,
Kathleen Guess, Elizabeth Guess
An active member in the community, Blackburn enters his first 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.
Kathleen Guess (right), the general manager's eldest daughter, serves as co-ticket manager and can be found at the ballpark on most nights taking tickets at the gate, as well can her sister, Elizabeth Guess, an assistant ticket manager.