The Adirondack Trail Blazers continue to prepare for the 2016 campaign and have recently hired a new head coach as Mohawk Valley Community College's Ben Julian will be the Trail Blazers new skipper for 2016.  

Ben will take over for previous head coach Matt Leahy who has moved on to operate the Top Line Baseball Academy in Houston, Texas. Julian is in his third season as the pitching and catching coach of Mohawk Valley Community College Hawks under Head Coach Dave Warren. He previously was an assistant coach under Joe Milazzo for the Utica Cobras.  

After playing his freshman year of college at New Jersey Institute of Technology as the starting catcher, He transferred to MVCC where he played for Coach Milazzo. He finished his collegiate career at Cazenovia College. He also played one summer for the Rome Indians of the NYCBL. Ben has worked numerous baseball camps over the years and credits his baseball knowledge to playing for some of the best coaches in the area. 

"I was extremely fortunate to play for coaches like Jim LaFountain, Dave Guido, Mike Micchione and Joe Milazzo, as well as numerous assistant coaches, that have all made an impact," said Julian.  

When it comes to this season, Coach Julian is excited to bring winning baseball back to Blazer Nation. 

"The fans in Boonville are as passionate and supportive as it comes. I am confident that the talent that has been assembled will work diligently to put together a winning season, which the fans rightfully deserve." 

Julian has gone right to work hiring a new assistant coach to his staff in Bryce Patterson.  

"Bryce is in his senior year at Utica College, playing for Joe Milazzo. Before UC, Bryce was a standout player for two years at MVCC for Coach Warren, the second of which was Julian's first year. Bryce is an extremely intelligent and talented player and I have no doubt he will make the transition to coaching with the same elegance with which he plays the game," Julian said of Patterson.  

"We're extremely excited to have Ben as our new manager," said Bobby Miller. "Ben is very qualified and has a passion for the game that is can't be measured or duplicated, we think the intensity that he is going to bring to the field could be a huge difference make for the Blazers and help us get over the hump and back into the PGCBL Playoffs."

The Trail Blazers will open the 2016 season on Tuesday, May 31st against Canada's Capital City Reds.  The team is still seeking host families for the 2016 season, anyone interested in more information on the teams host family program can visit the team online at www.adirondacktrailblazers.com, on facebook, or email adirondacktrailblazers@rocketmail.com.