All-time Ducks great promoted by organization
(Central Islip, N.Y., Oct. 31, 2016) – Long Island Ducks All-Time Team member and 2004 Atlantic League champion Kimera Bartee has been promoted to the role of first base coach by the Pittsburgh Pirates. In addition, he will serve as the team’s outfield and baserunning coach in 2017.
“I’m humbled that the organization believes in me to offer this new assignment,” said Bartee. “The support the organization has shown my family the last nine years have been a blessing, and I can’t wait to positively impact our Major League team. I will continue to help the Pittsburgh Pirates on the course of being a sustainable championship caliber organization for many years.”
Bartee has served as the Pirates’ outfield and baserunning coordinator for the past nine seasons. During that time, the 44-year-old also held the role of manager for the Single-A State College Spikes during the 2011 season. He began his coaching career during the 2005 season with the Baltimore Orioles organization. The former outfielder served as a coach for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds for three seasons before joining the Pirates organization.
The Omaha native’s playing career culminated with the Ducks in 2003 and 2004. In 226 games with Long Island, he compiled a .324 batting average with 35 home runs, 175 RBI, 189 runs, 49 doubles, 12 triples and 48 stolen bases. His 27 homers in 2004 ranked second in the Atlantic League, and he finished in the league’s top five in RBI during both of his years with the Ducks. Bartee was selected to play in the 2004 Atlantic League All-Star Game and helped the Ducks to their first-ever Atlantic League championship later that season. Following his playing career, he was selected to the Ducks’ All-Time Team during their 10th Anniversary Season in 2009 and was also voted to Long Island’s 15th Anniversary Team in 2014.
Prior to joining Long Island, the former 14th round draft pick of the Orioles played parts of six seasons in the Major Leagues with the Detroit Tigers (1996-99), Cincinnati Reds (2000) and Colorado Rockies (2001). In 243 games, he totaled four homers, 33 RBI, 69 runs, 12 doubles and 36 stolen bases. Bartee was also named the fastest baserunner and best defensive outfielder in the International League by Baseball America during the 1997 season with Toledo (AAA, Tigers).
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{f7b134541f126dcd33819b5eec9a91dff238b58155023223dba97c27371a7fb5} of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
###