The Weyburn Beavers have announced the signing of Gord Gateman as assistant coach for the 2011 season. Primarily, he will assume the role of pitching coach alongside of three-year Head Coach Terry Smith.
Gateman originates from Owen Sound, Ontario, where he graduated from high school. He attended Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, Michigan for two years before heading to St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana for the next three years. He majored in psychology with a minor in early childhood education. Gateman held the starting pitcher role at both schools and picked up the Scholar Athlete of the Year award as a senior at St. Joseph's.
Gateman pitched for the Weyburn Beavers during the 2008 season, during which he had 11 starts. In 65.2 innings of work, he compiled a 3.29 ERA with a record of three wins and two losses, walking only 17 while striking out 66. He also represented the Weyburn Beavers in the WMBL All-Star game in Okotoks.
Gateman suffered an elbow injury at the end of his senior year but returned to the Beavers for the 2009 season. Unfortunately, the injury spelled the end of his pitching career. Since graduating, he has been living in Weyburn and working in the carpentry business.
Gateman is a student of the game and is looking forward to taking on the challenge of pitching coach for the Beavers and giving back to the sport of baseball in his adopted community of Weyburn.
