Cane Cutters News

The Acadiana Cane Cutters are thrilled to announce our 2019 Head Coach, Ricky VanAsselberg. Coach VanAsselberg joins the team with many years of playing and coaching experience. He got his start in 1992 when he played for Baptist Christian College until 1996. In 1995 and 1996, he was named a National Small College All-American and the NSCWS Most Valuable Player in 1996. He helped the team become National Small College World Series Champions in both 1995 and 1996. In 1997, VanAsselberg moved on to play for the Bluefield Orioles where he was awarded a Coach’s award and was also able to help his team become the 1997 Appalachian League Champions. During the 1996, 1998, and 1999 seasons, he played for the Alexandria Aces, which is a Texas-Louisiana League team, and his team took home the 1998 TL League Championship. In 2001, he appeared on the roster for the Ozark Mountain Ducks, which is also a Texas-Louisiana League team. In 2002, he played for the Rio Grande Valley White Wings. For both the Ozark Mountain Ducks and the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, VanAsselberg acted as both a player and a coach.

VanAsselberg got his coaching debut in 2001 as the Oak Hill High School Assistant Baseball Coach where he helped lead the team to a State Championship. After his time with the Ozark Mountain Ducks and the Rio Grande Valley White Wings, he moved on to Forest Hill Academy in 2002. He became the baseball coach and athletic director there, where he was named Louisiana High School Athletic Association Coach of the Year. In 2004, he became the owner and operator of Hit Me Harder Baseball Academy. In 2007, VanAsselberg became the field manager for the Brownsville Toros. Between 2006-2008, he also acted as field manager for the Alexandria Aces where he was awarded Manager of the Year in both 2006 and 2007. After his time with the Aces, he became field manager of the Shreveport-Bossier Captains where he led the team to an impressive 112-87 combined record in two seasons, including playoffs. From 2011-2014, VanAsselberg was the field manager for the Grand Prairie AirHogs, where he notably assembled the team less than one month after getting the job. He then led the team to the 2011 and 2013 Division Championships and the 2011 League Championship. In 2015, he became the field manager for the Bridgeport Blue Fish and in 2018, he became the field manager for the Texas Marshals. He is currently the owner and operator of Big Rick’s Ball Club, in which he has been operating since 2016.

The Cane Cutters are extremely excited to welcome a head coach with a wealth of knowledge and experience such as Coach VanAsselberg. We welcome you to come watch his debut with the Cane Cutters at our opening day on May 31, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. against the Brazos Valley Bombers.

Come cheer on the Cane Cutters as they work to reach the TCL Championship for the 5th consecutive season. For more information and ticket needs contact Connor at [email protected] or at the Cane Cutters front office at (337) 298-2014 or go to canecuttersbaseball.com. For all news, stats, weather updates, and discounts for the 2019 season follow the Cane Cutters on Facebook at Acadiana Cane Cutters Baseball, Twitter @CaneCuttersBB, and Instagram at Acadiana_CaneCutters.