The Region's Team Of Northwest Indiana

Northwest Indiana Oilmen assistant coach Mike Coles has left the team to join the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association.  Coles, a Hammond High School and Purdue University product, finished the 2012 season with the Goldeyes.  His most recent professional action came earlier this season when he appeared in five games with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League. 

During his time with the Oilmen, Coles coached first base and threw batting practice in addition to imparting his knowledge on Oilmen hitters. 

“Everywhere you go there are great players,” Coles said when asked for his advice to the Oilmen.  “You can always be replaced.  You’ve got to stay humble.  Baseball is a humbling game.  That’s one of those things that if you’re going good, just stay the same, you never know if you’ll go 0-for-4 or 4-for-4.”

Before joining the team, he informed head coach Justin Huisman that he may leave the squad if an opportunity for him to continue his career arose.

Coles, a 34^th round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in the 2001 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft, is in his eighth season of professional baseball and has seen time with the Gary RailCats, Windy City Thunderbolts, Joliet JackHammers, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the Goldeyes. 

The right handed hitting outfielder will join a Winnipeg team that is 18-17, just one game behind Fargo-Moorhead for the top spot in the American Association North Division.  Coles is looking for his sixth career championship after winning one at Parkland College, two with Windy City, two with Fargo-Morehead and one with Winnipeg.