Wilson appreciates his call from home

Vance Wilson will manage his first game with the Nor thwest Arkansas Naturals today against Frisco.

Vance Wilson will manage his first game with the Nor thwest Arkansas Naturals today against Frisco.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

SPRINGDALE - Northwest Arkansas Naturals Manager Vance Wilson did some work at Arvest Ballpark last week, then was able to watch his daughter’s softball practice.

“This time of year, that never happens,” Wilson said with a smile. “Even though I’m a clubhouse rat and I still get here early and leave late, to go home and see my girls instead of being in an empty apartment is a pretty nice thing that most guys in this game don’t get.

“I realize I’m very fortunate.”

Instead of playing or managing far away from his Springdale home, as Wilson did the previous 20 seasons except for a 73-game stint as a catcher for the Naturals in 2009, he’s working two miles from the house he shares with his wife, Bridget, and daughter, Peyton.

“My wife is a strong lady, but she’s sacrificed so much for me,” Wilson said. “I’m really happy for her that I’m able to be at home.”

Wilson, 41, was hired as manager of the Class AA Naturals - who open the season tonight in Frisco, Texas - last fall after managing Class A Kane County (Ill.) in 2011 and advanced Class A Wilmington (Del.) in 2012 and 2013. He replaced Brian Poldberg, the Naturals’ manager in the first six seasons of the club’s existence and is now the manager of Class AAA Omaha (Neb.).

“I was hoping for this opportunity if the stars all lined up right,” Wilson said. “I feel like I kind of walked into this gig because Brian could still be here.

“Obviously, I think I’ve earned it. I think I’ve proven I should be at this level with these guys, but I still feel lucky.”

Wilson, a native of Mesa, Ariz., met his wife in 1993 when he took a recruiting trip to Arkansas while playing for Mesa Community College. He signed with the Razorbacks, but never played for them because he signed professionally with the New York Mets after being a 44thround draft pick.

Wilson, who played for the Mets and Detroit Tigers from 1999-2006 as a backup catcher to Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez, was married in January 1995. He and Bridget have lived in Springdale ever since.

“Once I hit my 10-year mark, I was an Arkansan,” Wilson said. “Now I’m a veteran Arkansan.”

Wilson said he began thinking about being a manager or coach late in his playing career, which was cut short by elbow and foot injuries.

“I was fortunate to be a major-league player, but I didn’t sign that contract that means you don’t have to work the rest of your life,” he said. “So I knew I had to do something, and I wanted it to bein baseball.

“This is what I am, it’s what I do. It’s what I breathe. It’s what I know. I do think I have a special ability to relate to players and help them get better.”

Naturals outfielder Lane Adams is playing for a team managed by Wilson for the fourth consecutive season.

“Vance is awesome,” Adams said. “I love playing for him. He brings a lot of energy to the team, and that’s big in a 140-game schedule.

“It’s kind of fun to watch him get thrown out every now and then. He’s got your back, and if he feels he needs to get on the umpire for his team, he’s not afraid to do it.”

Wilson said he was ejected 10 times his first season as a manager, but he cut that down to four times last season.

“I’m intense, no question,” he said. “I expect a lot out of people because I expect a lot out of myself. I expect people to be able to do things the right way.”

Wilson said he doesn’t feel pressure managing in his hometown, but he is excited about starting the season.

“There’s a special feeling to opening day,” he said. “You get butterflies, and that doesn’t matter if you’re in Northwest Arkansas or Vancouver or in the major leagues. You’re always anxious and excited for opening day.”

Today’s game NW ARKANSAS NATURALS AT FRISCO ROUGHRIDERS

WHEN 7:05 p.m. Central WHERE Dr Pepper Ballpark, Frisco, Texas RADIO KQSM-FM, 92.1, The Ticket, in Fayetteville WEBSITE nwanaturals.com

PITCHERS Naturals: Jason Adam (RHP, 8-11, 5.19 ERA); RoughRiders: Matthew Harrison (LHP, 0-1, 1.80).

NATURALS WEEK AHEAD

TODAY at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

FRIDAY at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

SATURDAY at Frisco, 7:05 p.m.

SUNDAY at Midland, 4 p.m.

MONDAY at Midland, 6:30 p.m.

TUESDAY at Midland, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY off NOTE Statistics from last season at Class AA.

Sports, Pages 19 on 04/03/2014