Vikings hire junior varsity baseball coach

Jim Baxter baseball card from 1991 season with Memphis Chicks

Former professional baseball player Jim Baxter has been named junior varsity coach at Siuslaw High School.

"Jim brings a lot of experience to the program," Vikings coach Tom Shinn said. "He played professional baseball in the Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals organizations."

Baxter, 53, who currently works in the maintenance department for the Siuslaw School District, was drafted in the third round of the 1986 Major League Baseball January Draft-Regular Phase out of Southwestern College of Chula Vista, Calif.

Baxter, a catcher, played six seasons in the minors, collecting 198 hits, 12 home runs, 81 RBIs and batting .228 in 309 games.

Baxter was an assistant coach at Eagle Point High School from 2000-04 and served on the American Legion team staff.

Vikings pitchers and catchers report Feb. 17, with full team workouts starting March 2, Shinn said.

Siuslaw travels to Sutherlin for a doubleheader on March 17 to open the 2020 season.

2020 VIKINGS SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 17 — at Sutherlin (DH), 3 p.m.
Friday, March 20 — Creswell, 4:30 p.m.
Monday, March 30 — at Harrisburg, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 1 — at Pleasant Hill, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 7 — South Umpqua, Dodson Field, 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 8 — Pleasant Hill, Dodson Field, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, April 14 — Marist Catholic, Dodson Field, 5 p.m., Sky-Em League opener
Friday, April 17 — at Junction City (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21 — at Cottage Grove, 5 p.m.
Friday, April 24 — Elmira (DH), Dodson Field, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28 — Marshfield, Dodson Field, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 1 — at Marist Catholic (DH), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 5 — Junction City, Dodson Field, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 8 — Cottage Grove (DH) Dodson Field, 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 12 — at Elmira, 5 p.m.
Friday, May 15 — at Marshfield (DH), 3 p.m.