BY TRUMAN BARTMAN ON OCTOBER 22ND, 2024. THEMAVERICKS.CA

As the Medicine Hat Mavericks have turned their attention toward the 2025 WCBL season, they have also turned over the head coaching duties to Valley City State’s assistant coach Jonathon Thornhill. 

Thornhill will replace former 2023 WCBL Coach of the Year Kevin Mitchell, who was unable to return after accepting a new position at Utah Valley University.

Growing up in California, Thornhill has been involved in the game of baseball from as early as he can remember, playing throughout his time in primary school and then pitching at junior college. Once going further in the game as a player no longer seemed feasible, Thornhill switched his approach and began coaching Little League, a time which he describes as “one of the funniest.”.

“I love every player I’ve come in contact with, but…  getting to be able to wear a foam Athletics hat while coaching third base and just getting to watch all the kids with their little cheers. It was such a good time.”

From there, Thornhill continued to rise through the ranks as a young 19-year-old, cashing in on his first coaching job at his local high school and spending the next 10 years there. His first collegiate job followed at Westminster College in Missouri, before making his most recent stop at Valley City State University in North Dakota, a job that was instrumental in him getting hired by the Mavericks.

“I hadn’t really thought about coaching summer this upcoming year. One day, randomly, I got a text from Tory Nelson (former Mavericks coach and VCSU player) saying that he sent me the link, and then he sent the eyes emoji. “You can continue the tradition”, is what he followed up with”. 

Thornhill went on to apply for the role, and after a meeting with Mavericks owner Greg Morrison and a few conversations with Jaden Babiuk and Tory Nelson, everything seemed to line up.

“The next thing you know, I got a phone call from Mr. Morrison, and without hesitation, I said, “Absolutely”. And here we are now!”

Not only will this be Thornhill’s first time coaching in the Western Canadian Baseball League, but it will also be just his second time in Canada. The opportunity offers more than just a chance to coach summer baseball; it opens up a whole new world.

“I think life is full of opportunities and chances to explore, and I think this is a cultivation of a lot of that. It’s an opportunity from a career aspect; it’s an opportunity to build more rappore.” 

“I’m very excited to interact and learn a lot about Medicine Hat and what they do on a day-to-day basis. I think the biggest thing that I love the most is seeking out what their community events are and getting a feel for what their society is like as a whole.”.

As Coach Thornhill begins to pack his bags in April, one thing that he will bring with him is his focus on enjoying the ride and building a fun atmosphere for his team and Mavs fans. 

“I think the biggest thing everybody loses track of is how much fun this is. You get a chance to play the game you love every day. And instead of having to do that, I’m getting to do that. That’s the biggest thing—having fun along the way and creating memories.”

Above all else, the chance to coach baseball for a living and the chance to do so over the summer for the Mavericks is a dream being realized for Thornhill.

“I’m living my dream! I haven’t had to work in three years because I’ve got to work in baseball. You know, you’re doing things that you enjoy. So that’s why I think it’s important when we’re getting a chance to be on the platform that we have as coaches to spread that positive yet realistic message of, hey, things aren’t always going to go your way.”.

The Mavericks are looking forward to having Jonathon Thornhill at the helm this upcoming season. Until then, anticipation amongst Mavs fans will continue to grow until the first pitch this spring.