Wilmington, NC - New Sharks head coach Daniel Hersey is getting excited to lead the team this summer.  Right now coach Hersey is busy trying to juggle his coaching duties at St. Leo University in Florida as well as recruiting and putting together the Sharks 2008 roster.  We sat down with coach Hersey recently to ask him a little more about what he's looking forward to for the 2008 season.  We asked him a series of questions to pick his brain about his plans for the Sharks, and to let our fans get to know him a little better.

1.  What excites you most about coaching the Wilmington Sharks?

Coach Hersey:  The opportunity to recruit and coach players from all over the country to come play for the Wilmington organization and watch players from all ability levels come together and work as a team. Most importantly, provide a fun and exciting experience for my players and the fans of Wilmington.

2.  What are your goals for the Sharks this season?

Coach Hersey:  My goals for the Sharks are for my players to have the opportunity to experience the minor league atmosphere that the Coastal Plain League offers while fine tuning their skills from school ball. I also want to provide the right situations for them to be successful and ultimately lead the Sharks to a playoff berth and a league championship.

3.  What have you learned in your previous coaching experience that you will
bring to the Sharks?

Coach Hersey:  In order to be successful in summer leagues the players must be able to adjust to the wooden bat and the different style that is played. The strategy is different from their school ball becuase of the wooden bats, therefore we will have to play more small ball and put pressure on the defense to create an opening for us. Summer baseball is a game of adjustments and if the players are able to adjust the team will be successful.

4.  What do you think of Wilmington, NC based on the short amount of time
you've spent here?

Coach Hersey: Wilmington is an unbelievable place to be. I like that Wilmington is on the ocean and there are so many things to do. The people are very friendly and helpful. While I was there for the annual golf tournament I was pleased by the amount of community support towards the Wilmington Sharks.

5.  What do you like to do when you're not on the baseball field?

Coach Hersey:  When I'm not on the field I am recruiting and bettering my program.  I don't have much free time but when I do I enjoy golfing, fishing, traveling, and relaxing.