IBL's Hamilton Cardinals announce baseball operations changes

Dean Castelli has been named field manager of the Intercounty Baseball League’s Hamilton Cardinals for the 2023 season. Photo: Art Ward

November 3, 2022

Official Hamilton Cardinals News Release

The Hamilton Cardinals have named George Halim their new general manager and Dean Castelli as their field manager for the 2023 season.

Halim is currently the director of Canada at Prep Baseball Report and has a wealth of knowledge on baseball prospects throughout Canada. He also has major league experience scouting for the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks and has been involved with building various baseball programs in the U.S. and Canada, including the Fieldhouse Pirates, Humber College, and Niagara County Community College. Halim also has his own College Placement advisory firm where he assists high school players in their college recruiting process. Halim will be supported by returning assistant general manager Larry Wood.

“George is the perfect fit for our player-focused GM role. We believe that he brings energy to our organization and is well connected in the baseball community to help us build a competitive and contending team,” said Dennis Concordia, partner.

Field manager Dean Castelli will return to the dugout in Hamilton. Castelli has been rooted deep into Hamilton IBL history. He has had success on the field as a player and in the dugout. Castelli was named the Rookie of the Year in 1993 as a player and was named the Manager of the Year in 2018 and 2019.

“I wanted to have Dean back in the dugout for this new era of Hamilton baseball. His passion for the community and this team is unmatched,” said Eric Spearin, managing partner.

Joining Dean Castelli’s staff will be returning assistant coach Chris Piano and new pitching coach Chris Davies.

These announced changes conclude a long process to revamp the Hamilton Cardinals baseball operations after Jeff Lounsbury decided to step away from the organization to make way for a fresh start under new ownership.