By Charlie Gonzalez
The Palm Springs Power have 678 wins in franchise history. They can reach 700 wins as soon as July 2nd. Sitting at 575 career wins as a manager, Casey Dill could reach 600 wins by the end of the season. He reached the 400- and 500-win milestones with the Palm Springs Power.
A member of the ball club since 2017, he has seen it blossom across his eight-year tenure. “The Power was already one of the top summer collegiate teams in the entire country when I took the team over,” he said. “Expanding the way we get players into professional baseball was very important for me.”
Last year, four former Power players signed to play for a team in an MLB partner league. “Moving players on into professional baseball and helping them advance their careers is the part that I’m most proud of.”
Dill has successfully created a winning, inclusive culture with the Palm Springs Power since joining the organization in 2017. His goal is to have players enjoy their time in Palm Springs while also putting aside selfish personal ambitions to better the team.
“The formula here works. Either they come in and they’re a part of it, or they’re not part of it and they don’t need to be here,” he said. Dill doesn’t like micromanaging young men who are recommended to him by their college coaches.
His approach to overseeing college students and teenagers fresh out of high school has resulted in a sense of loyalty from many players. “We get players that come back here every year,” he said. “They tell us, ‘This is the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball.’ If you can make a positive impact on these guys’ lives, they’ll remember you forever.”
Richie Amavizca didn’t intend to continue playing baseball or receiving an education after junior college but was encouraged by Dill and teammates to accept a scholarship from New Mexico Highlands University. “After one year of that school he said ‘Thank you so much! I can’t thank you enough.’”
Amavizca has since graduated and is returning to play for the Power this summer. The Kleinman
Dill’s reputation has left a strong impression amongst players in the Coachella Valley and nearby counties. “When we get a local guy, it’s either because we know the coach where he plays, or the player lets his coach know he earned a spot on the Palm Springs Power.
Opening night is on May 30th at 6:30 against the Utah Labs.
