by Patrick Bailey, Charleston Gazette
November 8, 2013

CHARLESTON, WV – Three days after Lan-quing Li officially took control of the West Virginia Coal Sox, the new owner made his first dramatic impression on the team.  Li fired general manager Jane Pomfret, who had been in the position for one season after succeeding then-owner and general manager Tyler Babcock when he left for Washington, D.C.  In her place, Li appointed Travis Babcock, the current president of the Dakota, Mississippi, and Mexico Railroad Company.

The decision was announced via a press release from the team.  Pomfret did not return phone calls asking for comment.

Pomfret was the first female general manager in professional baseball history.  Her appointment promised to transform the Coal Sox franchise.  Instead, the team finished her first and only season with a 79-83 record.  Pomfret was highly unpopular with fans for her entire tenure as general manager.  Her career began with the trading of fan-favorite George Riley (a decision that may have been forced on her).  The inability of the team to attract premiere free agents, combined with the team’s decision to forgo contending at the All-Star break, led to the lowest attendance in team history.

New general manager Travis Babcock is the current president of the North American railroad owned by Li.  Babcock, age 36, has served in the position for two years.  Prior to his position at DM&M, Babcock served as a vice-president in the New Jersey Hitmen organization with the AA Bergen Cliff Hawks in his home state of New York.  Babcock is a distant cousin of former owner Tyler Babcock, though a spokesman for the Coal Sox says the two have never met.

The new general manager is expected to work closely with Li thanks to their existing professional relationship from DM&M.  Babcock will have a variety of challenges to face, with limited resources.  Li has already announced that the team’s budget for 2014 will be sharply reduced.  The team recently avoided arbitration with star second baseman Rafael “Bingo” Suárez by agreeing to a hefty $11 million contract for 2014, making Suárez the highest-paid player on the team.  With payroll likely to be reduced going into the new season, the team will only have around $20 million to spend on free agents.

The Coal Sox will have holes to fill in the rotation and bullpen, as well as requiring a new starting shortstop.  The old regime was known to be dissatisfied with the play of several of the outfielders, as well.  The decisions made by Babcock on how to regard prospects such as Raúl Medina will have a huge impact on the shape of the team in the immediate future.

Additionally, the team will need to find a way to bring back the fans who have abandoned Allegheny Field.  No decision has been announced on ticket prices for 2014, though the team is almost certain to lower them from the 2013 pricing.  With division heavyweights Charleston and Florida well positioned to continue dominating the Dixie, the team has struggled to maintain relevance after seven seasons of mediocre play.  The playoff appearance of 2011 is now a distant memory to most fans, and with the departure of fan-favorite attractions such as Riley, the entertainment value of a Coal Sox game is significantly diminished.

Li is known for transforming companies.  He will need every ounce of his administrative magic to rebuild the Coal Sox franchise into a winning, profitable business.