Miners name assistant coach

Mike Buchmiller, the newest head coach of the Mat-Su Miners, has already filled half of his coaching staff.

Buchmiller has named Frostburg State University assistant coach Jimmy Smith to his staff.

Smith was originally in the pool of applicants for the Miner head coaching position.

"(Miner general manager Pete Christopher) asked me to put serious consideration into hiring Jimmy," Buchmiller said. "When I talked to (Jimmy), I thought he would be a great gain."

Smith will coach the Mat-Su infielders, and assist Buchmiller in the hitting coaching duties. In his first season with Frostburg State, Smith is the team's first base coach and is in charge of

conditioning.

Prior to joining Frostburg, Smith served on the King College staff. He was the primary recruiter and infield coach for the NAIA school in Bristol, Tenn.

Smith played three seasons at King College after transferring from St. Catherine Junior College in Kansas. While at King, Smith led his team in hitting during the 2000 season and his conference in runs scored in 2001.

Buchmiller had originally named former Anchorage Bucs head coach Jim Yanko as the Miners' pitching coach. Buchmiller received the unfortunate news late last week Yanko will not be able to serve on the Miner staff, due to health reasons. Buchmiller was on Yanko's Bucs staff during the 2001 season.

The Miners are currently searching for a new pitching coach.