2/17/26
By Rick Forney:
My love for baseball started when I was growing up in Annapolis, Maryland. Like a lot of kids, I played multiple sports and loved football and basketball, but by the time I reached high school, baseball had clearly become my calling.
In 1988, I was fortunate to be part of a state championship team in Anne Arundel County. It was an incredible run. On paper, we were probably the fourth-best team in the county, and the competition was fierce, but we came together at the right time and found a way to win it all. That experience shaped how I’ve viewed the game ever since. Talent matters, but belief and teamwork can carry you further than anyone expects.
After high school, I played two years at Anne Arundel Community College before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1991 at 19 years old. I signed and began my professional career, moving quickly through the system and reaching Double-A by age 21. In 1994, at 22 years old, I was added to the Orioles’ 40-man roster and was named the organization’s top prospect by Baseball America. That same year, I threw a perfect game in Trenton, New Jersey, which I still believe may be the only perfect game in the history of the Bowie Baysox.
1994 was also the year I gave my first pitching lesson. I was training at The Batt Academy preparing for spring training when a father approached me and asked if I would work with his son. I agreed, and I immediately enjoyed the experience. I remember thinking that this was something I would love to continue doing. That young man, Doug Hecker, later pitched Glen Burnie High School to a state championship in the late 1990s. Seeing his success confirmed how meaningful coaching could be.
In 1996, at 24 years old, I found myself in independent baseball for the first time. I did not know exactly what to expect, but I still believed in my ability to get people out and was determined to keep chasing my dream of reaching the major leagues. I signed in the Texas-Louisiana League, had a good season, and later signed with the Texas Rangers for spring training. I was released on the last day of camp.
I continued my career with Winnipeg in the Northern League and had two very good seasons there. In 1999, at 27 years old, I signed with the Atlanta Braves. I had a strong spring training and the season got off to a great start. When I was released in mid-June, I was among the Southern League leaders in innings pitched, ERA, and strikeouts, and I was batting .357. At that point, I realized my time as a prospect was coming to a close.
I returned to Winnipeg as a player-coach, and after elbow surgery and an attempt to continue playing, I accepted that my playing career was over. I stayed on as a pitching coach for five years, and in 2006, I was named manager of the Winnipeg Goldeyes.
Today, I serve as the manager of the York Revolution in the Atlantic League. I have been managing for 21 seasons, with more than 1,100 managerial victories and five league titles. Over 70 of my former players have advanced to affiliated baseball. I am also the only manager in independent baseball history to win league championships in both the American Association and the Atlantic League. In 2025, I was inducted into the American Association Hall of Fame.
The 2026 season will mark my 36th consecutive season in professional baseball. I feel truly blessed to have been in this game for as long as I have, and I look forward to many more years to come.
More than 30 years after giving my first lesson, I am still teaching. My wife and I built a pole barn training facility on our property in Adamstown, Maryland, and my offseasons are filled with working with young, up-and-coming ballplayers. Helping the next generation develop a love for the game and reach their potential continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Baseball has given me a lifetime of opportunities. My goal has always been to give back to the game that has given me so much.
Rick Forney: Architect of Winning, Guardian of the Game
Few figures in modern independent baseball embody longevity, leadership, and player development like Rick Forney. His career spans more than three decades across playing, coaching, managing, and mentoring. From a top prospect in the Baltimore Orioles organization to one of the most decorated managers in independent baseball history, Forney’s impact reaches far beyond wins and championships. It lives in the players he developed, the organizations he elevated, and the communities he strengthened.
Maryland Roots and the Making of a Competitor
Rick Forney’s baseball journey began in Annapolis, Maryland, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete before committing fully to baseball in high school. His early competitive environment in Anne Arundel County shaped the resilience that would define his career.
He helped lead his high school team to the 1988 Maryland state championship, an underdog run that reinforced a lifelong belief in preparation, toughness, and team cohesion.
He continued his development at Anne Arundel Community College before being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1991.
Orioles Prospect and a Historic Perfect Game
Forney’s professional career accelerated quickly through the Orioles’ farm system. By age 21, he had reached Double-A Bowie, positioning himself among the organization’s top arms.
His defining moment came on July 30, 1994, when he threw a perfect game for the Bowie Baysox against the Trenton Thunder. The seven-inning masterpiece remains the only perfect game in Baysox franchise history.
That same season, he was recognized as one of the Orioles’ top prospects and earned a place on the 40-man roster, cementing his status as a rising talent.
Perseverance Through Professional Baseball’s Hard Road
Forney’s playing career reflects the reality faced by countless professional players: success, setbacks, and relentless pursuit of opportunity.
He advanced through multiple levels of affiliated baseball, including stints at Double-A and Triple-A, before continuing his career in independent leagues and with organizations such as the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves systems.
Despite strong performances, including ranking among league leaders in key pitching categories late in his career, he ultimately transitioned from player to coach after elbow surgery and the natural progression of the game.
This pivot would prove to be the foundation of his lasting legacy.
Winnipeg Goldeyes Era: Building a Dynasty
Rick Forney’s most defining chapter began with the Winnipeg Goldeyes, where he spent 26 seasons as a player, coach, and manager, including 17 years as skipper.
Managerial Excellence
As manager, Forney built one of the most successful programs in American Association history:
- 887–753 managerial record
- 13 winning seasons
- 10 playoff appearances
- American Association Championships:
- 2012
- 2016
- 2017
- American Association Manager of the Year:
- 2011
- 2020
Under his leadership, Winnipeg became a model of consistency, player advancement, and championship culture.
More importantly, Forney helped dozens of players earn opportunities in affiliated baseball, reinforcing his reputation as a developer of talent, not just a collector of wins.
Transition to the Atlantic League: York Revolution Leadership
In 2022, Forney accepted the role of manager for the York Revolution, returning closer to his Maryland roots.
His move marked the end of an era in Winnipeg and the beginning of a new chapter in one of independent baseball’s premier leagues.
His arrival brought immediate credibility, given his track record of sustained success and championship leadership.
Championship Pedigree and Historic Distinction
Rick Forney holds a rare distinction in independent baseball:
- Only manager to win league championships in both the American Association and Atlantic League
- Five total league titles (combined)
- Over 1,100 managerial victories
- More than 70 players advanced to affiliated baseball
These milestones reflect not just longevity but sustained excellence across leagues, rosters, and eras.
In 2025, his career achievements were formally recognized with induction into the American Association Hall of Fame.
A Developer of Players and People
Beyond statistics and championships, Forney’s legacy is defined by development.
He gave his first pitching lesson in 1994. More than 30 years later, he continues training young players each offseason at a facility he and his wife built on their property in Adamstown, Maryland.
His coaching philosophy emphasizes:
- Accountability
- Fundamentals
- Mental toughness
- Respect for the game
Players who have worked with him consistently credit his ability to balance discipline with belief.
36 Seasons in Professional Baseball and Counting
The 2026 season marks Rick Forney’s 36th consecutive year in professional baseball. Few figures in the sport can match that level of sustained involvement.
His career arc includes:
- Orioles prospect and Double-A standout
- Historic perfect game author
- Independent league competitor
- Pitching coach and developer
- Dynasty-building manager
- Hall of Fame inductee
- Mentor to generations of players
Legacy: A Foundation Builder
Rick Forney’s story is not simply about personal success. It is about building foundations that others stand on.
He represents the best of baseball’s ecosystem: a player who became a teacher, a teacher who became a leader, and a leader who continues to shape the future of the game.
For Maryland players, independent league athletes, and the countless young pitchers who have trained under him, Rick Forney is not just part of baseball history.
He is part of its backbone.
A Personal Reflection on Rick Forney
By Dustin Pease
Rick Forney was a constant presence at the baseball facility where I grew up. He worked alongside fellow baseball lifer Tom Vaeth, and together they formed a coaching duo that left a lasting imprint on everyone who walked through those doors. As a young player, you could feel the authenticity in how Rick carried himself. He had a rare ability to make you feel seen and valued. He asked questions, listened intently, and made it clear that he genuinely cared about your growth, not just as a player, but as a person.
That kind of sincerity is uncommon. Rick embodied it every day, and it became a cornerstone of his coaching. The culture at The Batt Club was tangible. Families felt it. Players lived it. We all aspired to reach the highest levels of the game, and being in that environment made those dreams feel possible.
I looked up to every coach in that facility, but I especially appreciated how much Rick was willing to share. I loved watching him work with young pitchers, breaking down mechanics, building confidence, and teaching the mental side of the game long before most of us even realized how important it was.
When Tom helped recruit me to play in Winnipeg after I graduated from Mount St. Mary’s, it felt surreal. The opportunity to play for both Rick and Tom, the very men who helped shape my early baseball life, was an honor. At the time, my dream was to get drafted and play affiliated baseball, but looking back, I truly believe God had my best interest at heart by sending me to Winnipeg.
Under Rick’s leadership, I was able to learn the game at a high level much earlier than I might have elsewhere. At 21, I was thrown into the fire, competing against former Major League and Triple-A players. That experience accelerated my development in ways I could never have planned. Rick’s trust in me, and the opportunities he gave me to prove myself, were pivotal in my growth. I will always be grateful that he believed in me and allowed me to show that belief was well placed.
Rick Forney is a staple of Maryland baseball. His impact on players and families is profound and ongoing. I have seen it firsthand. Each offseason, when he returns home and works with young athletes, he continues to shape futures and strengthen the fabric of our baseball community.
Players who have the chance to learn from Rick are fortunate. He teaches more than mechanics and strategy. He teaches preparation, resilience, humility, and what it means to pursue excellence.
I wholeheartedly encourage families and pitchers to connect with Rick if the opportunity presents itself. Learning from him is not just about becoming a better ballplayer. It is about becoming the best version of yourself, on the field and beyond.
I am grateful for Rick Forney, for his mentorship, his belief in me, and the example he continues to set for generations of players. His legacy is not only measured in championships and wins, but in the lives he has helped shape, including mine. Thank you Rick!
If you are interested in working / connecting with Rick for pitching, please reach out to him via email: Rick43forney@hotmail.com