Three games into the season, the Boston Hunters suddenly found themselves searching for a new manager, and the reason why is more complicated than it first appeared.
Keith Foulke’s brief tenure as manager of the Boston Hunters ended after just three games, with conflicting accounts emerging over what led to his abrupt dismissal from the Women’s Pro Baseball League club.
Foulke was dismissed following what the league described as a “baseball decision,” citing a disconnect between the manager and players and the need for stronger leadership within the club. Foulke, however, said the decision stemmed in part from a change in ownership’s stance regarding his previously approved travel and commuting schedule from Arizona.
The differing explanations have created an unusual divide between Foulke’s account and the league’s reasoning for making a managerial change so early in the season.
In an interview with The State Journal-Register of Springfield, Ill. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, Foulke remained measured when discussing his departure, expressing disappointment while maintaining that he believed he had handled his responsibilities professionally.
“It’s just disappointing,” Foulke said. “At the end of the day, I walk with my head held high. I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t say anything derogatory, I didn’t say anything mean to my players, ever. I was always really positive.”
Foulke said his travel arrangement had been agreed upon before the season, allowing him to commute from Arizona rather than remain with the team full time.
“I think the ownership just kind of had a change of mind on the schedule that we’d agreed upon,” Foulke said in the story. “I was the manager, but I wasn’t going to be able to be there full time, and ultimately, they didn’t think that was a good plan.”
Foulke also described how abruptly he learned that the organization was moving in a different direction, saying he was informed shortly before a game despite the team having already secured its first victory.
