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The Cincinnati Steam will look to defend their 2008 Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League Regular Season and Tournament Championships under the reign of newly named manager Joe Regruth. Former Manager Todd Benzinger accepted the Managerial position with the Dayton Dragons, single A minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. Coach Regruth is no stranger to college baseball, especially in the Greater Cincinnati area. After graduating from Xavier University in 1989, he pursued his Master’s Degree in education while working on Xavier’s baseball staff for his first go around with the Muskies. In 1992, he departed to spend the spring working at St. Xavier High School on their staff. After one season with the Bombers, Coach Regruth moved onward and upward as he was instrumental in creating what is today a formidable Division 3 Baseball Program at the College of Mount St. Joseph. From 1993-1996, he brought the program from NAIA to NCAA status. He doubled the win total in just three seasons and following the 1996 season he was honored as the Association of Mideast Colleges (AMC) Coach of the Year, leading the squad to the conference championship. During his time at the Mount, one of his pitchers went on to play in the professional ranks. During the summers of 1991-1996, he was the pitching coach for the nationally ranked Midland Braves. After establishing baseball at the College of Mount St. Joseph, Coach Regruth rejoined Xavier University as their pitching coach and over the course of the 8 seasons (1996-2004) he helped six players go on to pitch in the professional ranks. He also had the opportunity to coach a Freshman All-American, an Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year and an A-10 Pitcher of the Year. After eight seasons it was time for another challenge, so he moved cross town and up the hill to the University of Cincinnati where over the course of 3 seasons (2004-2007) he helped solidify the Bearcat pitching staff. In 2005 Regruth led a young pitching staff that turned in the program's lowest team ERA since 1995. Along with 25 victories, Regruth's pupils cut nearly three runs off the squad's ERA prior to his arrival. He also guided the development of Steve Blevins, who set the school record for wins by a freshman and was named a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American. While a part of the UC program, both Josh Kay and Jack Nelson have gone on to pitch professionally after playing under Regruth's tutelage. After the 2007 season, it was time to instill some of his wisdom and years of experience to the lower levels. In the spring of 2008 Coach Regruth worked with the Sycamore High School program and this past spring he was the head coach of Mariemont High School’s baseball squad. Coach Regruth brings a wealth of knowledge and an understanding of what it takes to be a winner and how to succeed on and off the field. And as for the Steam, he fills the mission statement of keeping hometown talent and hometown people within the organization further establishing the Cincinnati Steam as a program that was built for the community by the community and the Steam just keeps paying it forward.
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