Everyone likes instant gratification, but, in this case, Ron Witmeyer is perfectly happy with gratification delayed.

Several weeks ago, Witmeyer noticed online an opening for manager of the Pecos League's new team in Martinez, CA. He applied, heard nothing and figured he'd move on. Little did he know that fate would soon turn his way.

The team named Pecos League veteran Bill Moore as manager, but Moore later had to bow out because of health issues. Once the job re-opened, Pecos League Commissioner Andrew Dunn contacted Witmeyer, and the two worked out a deal.

"Better late than never," Witmeyer said with a laugh.

"I was surprised because I knew they'd hired someone, but you never know what can happen," he continued. "This is going to be a great opportunity - a new franchise with all new players. It will be a challenge, but it should be a lot of fun."

Dunn said, "We're delighted to have Ron on board with the Martinez club. With his experience as both a player and coach, he'll be a great leader and a great resource for the players."

Witmeyer, 53, played professionally for six seasons after being taken in the seventh round of the 1988 draft by Oakland following a collegiate career at Stanford. A first baseman, he was an all-star in the California League and briefly appeared with the A's in 1991, getting 19 at bats. He spent most of 1991 and the next two seasons in Triple-A, played independent ball in 1994 and then retired.

He completed his degree at Stanford while serving as a volunteer coach with the Cardinal baseball team led by catcher A.J. Hinch, now the Detroit Tigers' manager. He then was head coach at City College of San Francisco for four seasons, while also earning a master's degree.

Next came a five-year stint as hitting coach at UC-Berkeley. There, he coached a number of players - such as John Baker, Conor Jackson, Allen Craig, Brennan Boesch, Josh Satin and others - who eventually played in the major leagues, as well as quite a few others who played professionally.

Then, after his time at Cal, he left the game.

Well, for a while.

"I had three boys, and I realized that I wasn't seeing them very much," said Witmeyer, who now lives in San Diego. "So I got out of coaching and went into real estate for a while so I could spend more time with them.

"But I missed baseball, so a partner and I established a baseball/softball training facility that's grown to two locations, and we've helped train more than 100 players who've gone on to have collegiate careers. I was also able to coach all of my sons through Little League and even high school, as I was varsity head coach at The Bishop's School in La Jolla the past five years."

His sons are now aged 24, 21 and 18. The oldest works for a construction company, and the middle son plays football at Washington University in St. Louis. With the youngest about to graduate from high school, Witmeyer had begun to look for avenues back into collegiate or professional baseball.

"My goal is to get back into pro ball," he said. "I love being in the game, being around the players and teaching. And I've really missed the competition.

"This came up really quickly, but it's a foot in the door, and I'm really looking forward to it."

###