Pacific Baseball Announces Hiring of Don Barbara as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
July 1, 2008
Stockton, Calif. - Pacific Baseball head coach Ed Sprague officially announced the hiring of Don Barbara as Pacific's new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator on Tuesday, July 1. Barbara comes to Pacific after three seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Sacramento State (2004-2007). Don served as the Hornets' hitting coach, infield coach, third base coach and recruiting coordinator. Before his tenure at Sacramento State, Don spent seven years as an assistant coach at Long Beach State (1997-99, 2001-04). "We're very pleased to welcome Don Barbara to the Pacific program," said head coach Ed Sprague. "Don has a proven record of success both as a player and as a coach, his wealth of experience and Big West familiarity are a tremendous asset." "I'm excited for the opportunity to continue building the Pacific program into a competitive force in the Big West Conference," said Barbara. Barbara's instruction at the plate paid immediate and long lasting dividends for the Hornets as the Sacramento State team batting average increased from .251 prior to his arrival to .289 in 2006, .280 in 2007 and .311 in 2008. Barbara's tutelage also impacted the Hornets defense, helping the team fielding percentage improve from .960 in 2005 to .964 in 2006, .968 in 2007 and finally to .970 in 2008. The .970 field percentage posted in 2008 tied a Sacramento State record for the highest fielding percentage in school history. At Long Beach State, Barbara helped lead the Dirtbags to six regional NCAA appearances in his seven seasons, including a trip to the College World Series in 1998. Serving mainly as the hitting and third base coach while at Long Beach State, Barbara also instructed first basemen and outfielders while assisting with all aspects of recruiting.
Barbara's playing days are just decorated as his coaching resume. A member of the Long Beach State Hall of Fame, Don was one of the original Long Beach State Dirtbags on the 1989 team that played on an all dirt infield and earned a trip to the College World Series. An All-American first baseman for two seasons, Barbara was selected as the Big West Conference Player of the Year and Division I Hitter of the Year in 1990 after batting .474 with 102 hits, 69 runs and 27 doubles. In January of 2007, Barbara was voted to Long Beach State's all-time greats list, comprised of the program's top 30 players from 1954-2006. He was the fourth leading vote getter, behind Jered Weaver, Jason Giambi and Bobby Crosby. After leaving Long Beach State via the draft, Barbara spent six seasons (1990-1996) in professional baseball,, Don was drafted in the 24th round by the then-California Angels. He reached as high as Triple-A for the Angels in 1992 and also played for the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers (1993), the Los Angeles Dodgers (1994) and the Boston Red Sox (1995). In 1994, Barbara batted .352 for the Pacific Coast Champion Albuqurque Dukes. Barbara completed his undergraduate degree in Kinesiology from Long Beach State in 2004. Don and his wife, Corrie, have been married for nine years and have two children, Madison (9) and McKenzie (7). |
 
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