YOUR 2025 SPRINGFIELD DRIFTERS
PITCHERS
Player
Position
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School
CATCHERS
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Position
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School
INFIELDERS
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Position
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School
OUTFIELDERS
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Position
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School
COACHING STAFF
Jeff Lyle
Head Coach
Coach Lyle stepped into the manager role for the Springfield Drifters at the start of the 2025 season. That year, the Drifters showed significant improvement, reaching 22 wins for just the second time in franchise history as well as setting 19 team and individual records, including team marks for hits, batting average, RBIs, walks and stolen bases.
Lyle had spent three seasons as a hitting coach in the Pioneer League with the Ogden Raptors and Missoula Paddleheads from 2021-23. Prior to his time in independent baseball, Lyle served as an assistant coach for the Springfield Timbers American Legion team in 2020 and worked with an American Legion team in Casper, Wyoming, from 2018–19.
A Eugene native, Lyle grew up in the South Willamette Valley before moving to Arroyo Grande, California, where he played three years of varsity baseball at Arroyo Grande High School and graduated in 1995. He continued his playing career at Merced Junior College and Fresno State before wrist, elbow and rotator cuff injuries ended his career prematurely.
Lyle returned to Eugene in 2004 and began coaching youth baseball, spending several years at Thurston High School. In the mid-2000s, he worked as a scout for the Atlanta Braves before beginning a nine-year tenure as an assistant baseball coach at Lane Community College in 2008. While at Lane, Lyle spent the summer of 2012 as the pitching coach for the Klamath Falls Gems in the West Coast League and later worked with the Medford Rogues in both the WCL and Great West League, winning a GWL championship in 2017.
Lyle currently lives less than a mile from Hamlin Sports Complex in Springfield, Oregon, with his fiancée, Amy, Amy’s daughter Cali, who works in the Drifters ticket office, and their dog, Penny.
Jeff Lyle
Head Coach
Dean Stiles became the Springfield Drifters’ pitching coach ahead of the 2025 season, bringing more than 40 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. A Eugene native, Stiles has coached collegiately at the University of Oregon, Florida International University and San Jose State, and professionally with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers organizations.
During his time with the Dodgers organization, Stiles played an instrumental role in the development of the club’s pitching program and earned a World Series ring in 2020. He also served as the head coach at Lane Community College in 2011, leading the team to a first-place finish in the NWAC South with a 26-11 league record. Over the course of his career, Stiles has mentored more than 60 pitchers and position players who have gone on to play at the Major League Baseball level.
Stiles is well acquainted with the mission and success of the West Coast League, having contributed to the development of the original Bend Elks franchise. He has long been active in the Springfield and Eugene communities, conducting numerous youth clinics and coaching his three children — Taylor, Chloe and Cooper — all of whom graduated from the University of Oregon.
As a player, Stiles competed as an infielder at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, California, before transferring to Oregon and finishing his collegiate career with the Ducks. He earned a degree in journalism from the University of Oregon in 1982 and completed his secondary education credential through the UO College of Education in 1986.
Stiles currently resides in Eugene with his fiancée, Ashley Marie, and looks forward to continuing to contribute to the success of the Springfield Drifters organization.
Dean stiles
pitching Coach
FRONT OFFICE
Jake Willard
GENERAL MANAGER
Jake Willard joined the Drifters staff in late 2025 as General Manager leading into the team’s 5th season in 2026. Originally from Martinez, California, Willard moved to Oregon in 2015 to study Journalism at the University of Oregon and fell in love with this community. With 10+ years of experience working in track and field and a passion for community-building and storytelling, he leads the team’s business functions, including sales, marketing, stadium operations, community relations, and team services. Jake is on a mission to attend all 30 major league baseball stadiums, having checked 15 off his list so far. Away from baseball he enjoys running, bouldering, thrifting and going on adventure walks with his partner Megan and their puppy Gracie.
Jasmine Williams
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Jasmine Williams joined the Drifters staff in 2024, transitioning into a new role as Assistant General Manager after serving on the game-day operations crew during the summer season. Her main responsibilities include planning promotions, overseeing the ticket office, community relations, and managing the Drifters internship team. Originally from Auburn, WA, Jasmine attended Linfield University where she studied Psychology and Sports Management, as well as played on the women’s soccer team and worked for the Sports Information Department. After graduating in 2024, she moved to Eugene to continue pursuing her passion for sports. In her free time, Jasmine coaches youth soccer and enjoys staying active through running, lifting, and exploring all that the Willamette Valley has to offer
Sam Olsson
DIRECTOR OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS
Sam Olsson, a 2017 Sheldon High School graduate, stepped into a new role as the Director of Baseball Operations for the Drifters in the fall of 2025. A lifelong baseball enthusiast, Sam has extensive experience in the college baseball scene, having spent his university years as a catcher for both San Jose State and the University of Oregon. He ultimately earned his degree in Business from Lewis-Clark State College in 2023. Sam is no stranger to the West Coast League, with a stint as a player for the Yakima Valley Pippins in 2021 and as an Assistant Coach with the Drifters in 2023. In his current role, he oversees player recruitment and roster management, coordinates team operations, and assists in managing Drifters’ youth camps and academy programs. In addition to his work with the Drifters, he also helps coach his former baseball team at Sheldon High School. When he’s away from the diamond, Sam enjoys golfing and spending time with his family and friends.
Knight Jarecki
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
Knight Jarecki joined the Springfield Drifters as an intern in 2022, just ahead of the team’s inaugural season. Since then, he has become the voice of the Drifters, shaping the club’s broadcasts and leading its media efforts. Beginning with the 2026 season, he transitions into the role of Director of Communications, where he oversees broadcasting, livestream production, public relations and advertising. A 2024 graduate of the University of Oregon’s School of Journalism and Communication, Jarecki brings a strong background in both broadcasting and sports media. He previously worked as a Sports and News Broadcaster with Brooke Communications in Roseburg, Oregon, and earlier served as Sports Director at KWVA 88.1 FM in Eugene, where he called Oregon softball, volleyball, and Bushnell baseball. His early baseball broadcasting experience also includes a 2021 broadcasting internship with the Conejo Oaks of the California Collegiate League. Originally from Frazier Park, California, Jarecki has called Oregon home for the past six years. Away from the ballpark, Jarecki enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest and following his favorite teams — the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays and Las Vegas Raiders. Contact Knight for all media, ticket or partnership inquiries.
CHUCK GROVE
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Born and raised in Eugene, Chuck Grove attended Sheldon High School before pursuing higher education at Oregon State University (OSU), where he double-majored in accounting and finance and minored in psychology. Chuck has spent many years as a coach for KIDSPORTS, contributing to the development of young athletes in our community. Currently, he lives in Eugene with his wife, Nancy, and their son, Troy, who followed in his dad’s footsteps by attending both Sheldon High School and OSU. Chuck likes to stay active through tennis, pickleball, biking, and hiking. Professionally, he is the Operations Manager, coordinating the activities of food and beverage services, the ticket office, marketing, and stadium operations.
INTERNSHIPS
Available Roles
- Photo
- Video
- Social Media
- Writing
- Graphic Design
- Broadcast
- Data & Analytics
- Gameday Operations & Fan Experience
Interested in an internship with the Springfield Drifters? Fill out the form below!