Owls owner, new coach share plans for upcoming season

Members of the Forest City Owls Booster Club had their first official chance to say "hooty-hoot" to new head coach Matt Reed during a recent booster meeting.

Reed, who is the current pitching coach at Greensboro College, is a 2012 graduate of the University of South Florida. During his time as a pitcher for South Florida, he defeated many top 25 teams and once pitched against the New York Yankees starting lineup - and allowed only one earned run.

Reed replaces J.T. Macguire, who has been promoted to assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator for Lander University.

In his introduction to the members, Owls Owner Phil Dangel mentioned that Reed's father, Marty Reed, is bullpen coach for the Atlanta Braves.

"Matt has been in a dugout since he was 3 or 4 years old," Dangel said.

A native of Albemarle, Reed told the boosters he was looking forward to spending a summer in North Carolina, and his expectations for the team.

"We are looking for good character kids," he said. "Based on what I've already seen of Forest City, you've got good character here. We're hoping to bring guys in who have the same character as what's already here."

Some of last year's players have been signed again for this summer, Dangel said, and recruitment meetings with the coaches at area universities has begun.

"I've met with the coach from Western Carolina's baseball team, and he's sending us two, maybe three, guys. I asked him questions and he said 'Everyone wants to go to Forest City. Everybody knows they have the best food after the games.'"

Also introduced during the meeting was pitching coach Craig Bolton. Bolton, of Shelby, is a graduate of Crest High School and played for Pfeiffer University. His career was cut short due to shoulder injuries.

"I'm glad to be here," Bolton said. "Matt and I both are so excited we want to skip the school season because we're ready for summer."

Boosters also learned more about plans for the 2017 season, which include new decks at the ball field for local vendors to set up as well as room for pub tables and seats. A new and improved website has also been introduced.

"We own the domain, and the scores will be posted as we go on," Dangel said. "It will bring you the most up-to-date Owls information."

The 2017 Forest City Owls will begin the season on Memorial Day again.

For more information on the Owls, or becoming a booster, visit forestcitybaseball.com.