| Title: | Catching Coach |
| Phone: | (530) 514-1025 |
| Email: | Nelsont1@iecc.edu |
Thomas Nelson begins his first season at Wabash Valley. Nelson will help in all phases of the day to day operations of the program. On the field, Nelson will assist Coach Biddle with the pitchers, as well as, working with catchers and outfielders.
Nelson brings a wealth of knowledge to the program having served as a Manager in the Pecos League, an independent professional league, the last four seasons. Nelson spent the last three seasons as the Manager of the Trinidad Triggers leading them to two playoff berths and an overall record of 102-68. In 2018, Nelson was named a Manager for the Pecos League All-Star Game. Prior to Trinidad, Nelson spent one season as the Manager of the Alpine Cowboys finishing 32-34 and earning a playoff berth.
Nelson has also coached collegiately for one season at Harris-Stowe State University (NAIA), one season at Spalding University (NCAA-Division III) and two seasons at Brescia University (NAIA), where he served as Coach Biddle’s Pitching Coach. In Nelson's first season at Brescia, the Bearcats set a school record for team ERA in a season with a 4.55 besting the previous mark by more than half a run. Nelson's staff also saw three individual school records broken, as the staff improved in every statistical category. Nelson's staffs saw Andrew Shoulders named 1st Team All-Conference and KIAC Pitcher of the year, while four others earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors.
Nelson began his coaching career in 2012, as the Pitching Coach at Culver Stockton. In 2013, Nelson served as the Pitching Coach for the Las Vegas Trainrobbers of the Pecos League. Under Nelson, the Trainrobbers set a league record for lowest ERA, while going 42-29 before falling in the League Chamionship. Nelson spent the summer of 2014 as the First Base Coach for the Dodge City A's of the Jayhawk League, a summer collegiate league.
As a player, Nelson transferred to Brescia from Butte College prior to the '09 season. In two years at Brescia, Nelson tied the career saves record and was twice named KIAC 1st Team All-Conference Relief Pitcher, while being an integral part of the 2009 KIAC Championship. Nelson went on to finish his collegiate playing career at Culver Stockton College, where he was named HAAC 1st Team All-Conference Starting Pitcher in 2011.
Nelson went on to play professionally with the Gary South Shore Railcats of the American Association, the Schaumburg Boomers of the Frontier League and the Roswell Invaders and the Las Cruces Vaqueros of the Pecos League.