An Insider's Look At The Coaching Staff
A Conversation With Bench Coach David Peterson
The Missoula PaddleHeads coaching staff is a mix of familiar and new names in 2026. Manager Michael Schlact is in the midst of his 6th season in the dugout. Joining Schlact however are some new faces in the dugout in the form of 2 new assistant coaches. One of them makes his return to the Pioneer League this season after spending time with another franchise in the league. David Peterson initially appeared in the Pioneer League in 2022 on Jim Riggleman's staff with the Billings Mustangs. After recently spending time in the Frontier League Peterson is now back in the PBL in his first season with the PaddleHeads.
The Texas native brings a wealth of experience having coached in professional baseball for over 10 seasons. Peterson also has experience as a manager professionally leading the Salina Stockade of the Pacific Association, and the Houston Apollos of the American Association. Most recently Peterson was a coach on Bobby Brown's staff with the Ottawa Titans of the Frontier League. Brown was also a part of the PaddleHeads organization in 2021 as an Hitting Coach en route to a PBL Championship.
Peterson will look to continue his success in coaching with the PaddleHeads after a 2 year run with the Titans from 2024-2025. Peterson was named to the Atlantic Conference All-Star Coaching Staff last summer representing the Titans. After being on the other side of the diamond previously coaching in games against Missoula, Peterson will look to be a key ingredient in another postseason push in 2026.
To learn more about Peterson and his route to Missoula in the coaching ranks CLICK HERE. A conversation with Easton Barnes Missoula's Bullpen and Analytics Coach this season will also be coming soon on PaddleHeads Insider.
The PaddleHeads (3-2) will also wrap up the California portion of this 12 game road trip on Sunday evening in the series finale with the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds (2-3). A victory would clinch a second straight series win on the road. First pitch from Bryant Field is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Pacific.