Roadie to Reading

Steve Roadcap was the manager of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 1999 and 2004. He is now the manager of Reading Phillies in the Eastern League. And he couldn't be happier.

For the first time in his 25-plus seasons in professional baseball, home games really will be home games for Steve Roadcap.

The Reading Phillies' new manager was born in Pottsville, grew up in Dauphin County and considers "Baseballtown" home turf.

"It'll be great," said the 48-year-old Roadcap, who has managed in the Philadelphia Phillies organization the past three seasons. "I grew up a big Phillies fan. It's kind of neat, now being able to come in there and manage.

"I have a lot of good memories of Reading, and the Phillies. I'm real excited about it. I'm looking forward to the opportunity."

The Phillies, behind on their normal offseason schedule because of the World Series run and the many front office changes, haven't gotten around to officially announcing Roadcap's promotion from low Class A Lakewood, where he managed the past two seasons.

Reading is a place for former Timber Rattler managers. Gary Varsho was the manager of the R-Phills from 1999-2001 after he was Rattler manager in 1997 and 1998.