Skippers sold to Players League, Cartwrights to continue managing team's operations

The River City Skippers will open the second half of their second season in the Old North State League with several reasons to be optimistic.

First of all, they have new ownership. Owner Doc Wasserman recently sold the team to The Players League, the North Carolina-based league of which the Old North State League is a part.

Randy Cartwright and daughter Abby Cartwright, meanwhile, will continue in their roles as the Elizabeth City summer collegiate baseball team's general manager and assistant general manager, respectively. The Cartwrights have been involved with the team since its inception last year.

“Our second half schedule will be the same and we will continue to have the ‘theme’ nights,” Abby Cartwright said Sunday. “On Friday night, July 5th, during our game with New Bern, we will be having a benefit night for Mr. Jack Delano, a local man who was struck by a ball in the head at a softball game and suffered a serious brain injury. We will have a 50/50 raffle, and will be donating money from our concessions.

“In addition, a local church will be at the park preparing food for sale, with all proceeds going to help Mr. Delano. Our players are so great, and totally behind all of these activities.”

The Cartwrights have promoted pitching coach Jack Colagiovanni to the head coaching position in the Skipper wheelhouse. A former collegiate pitcher at Concord University, Colagiovanni is currently an assistant coach at Salisbury University in Maryland. He knows the ONSL well as he pitched for the Brunswick Surfin’ Turfs’ in 2021.

On Sunday night, Colagiovanni stated that he was grateful to the Cartwrights for their confidence in giving him this opportunity. He also talked about the style of play that he wants to stress with River City.

“We want to focus on pitching and defense,” he said. “That will always win you games, but we will also play a fun brand of baseball. Some small ball, but also being aggressive on the bases, making contact to advance runners. We have some guys with power, but we can’t wait around for the long ball. We have to put pressure on the defense and take advantage of our opportunities.”

The Skippers will also make some additions to their roster.

“We just added a catcher from Georgia State University, Ashton Kehren, and we plan to add more pitching depth,” Colagiovanni said.

Skipper Notes: If you have attended any games this year you have appreciated the play of shortstop Ivan Santos. A junior at Benedictine University in Mesa, Arizona, Santos leads the Skippers in just about every offensive category.

Batting in the leadoff or second position in the order, Santos has constantly reached base. His batting average is just under .400, and he has scored 24 runs. He has earned 13 walks and leads the team in stolen bases, while striking out only three times in 16 games. In addition, he has played a consistent shortstop, usually turning in at least one eye-popping fielding gem per game.

The baseball odyssey of the young shortstop started in New York City. He grew up in the Bronx not far from Yankee Stadium, and was coached in the game from the age of 4 by his dad and uncle, who both played college baseball. A righthanded thrower, it was his dad who turned him around to bat lefty as the elder Santos knew batting from the left side would have its advantages.

“I picked the position of shortstop, it just seemed natural, and my favorite player growing up was Derek Jeter of the Yankees,” Santos said.

Santos hits the ball to all fields, and he has some pop in his bat, having hit a long home run earlier this year to deep centerfield at Knobbs Creek Park. He likes to work the count, seeing a lot of pitches.

“I like to adjust to the pitcher and see what he can throw,” he said. “I know I can hit with two strikes and not have to chase a pitch out of the strike zone.”

When asked if he would like to play at a higher level, a professional level, the far-traveling ballplayer had a quick and decisive answer: “Heck Ya!”

Colagiovanni has a lot of decisions to make the rest of the year, but one is easy. Pencil in No.1 at shortstop batting first or second every night and then just forget about it. He’ll get a full night’s work and then some.

Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the Randy Cartwright family are the new owners of the River City Skippers. The team's new owners are the Players League, the North Carolina-based league of which the Old North State League is a part. The story also incorrectly stated that Abby Cartwright is the team's general manager. Randy Cartwright remains the team's general manager and Abby Cartwright remains the team's assistant general manager.