Meet the New La Rochelle Buccaneers Head Coach
BTVF: Who are you, Kirk McNabb?
K.M: I’m 52 years old, married to Karen (a primary school teacher) and father to Nolan and Braydon. I live and breathe baseball near Toronto, Canada. I’m currently the owner of Dirtbag Baseball Nation (www.dirtbagbaseballnation.com) and have been involved in playing, coaching, or training baseball at all levels for the past 47 years in Canada, the United States, and even France (1993 in Savigny).
BTVF: Can you tell us a bit about Dirtbag Baseball Nation?
K.M: Dirtbag Baseball Nation is a training, media (podcast & YouTube), and apparel company. Our MISSION is to provide a roadmap for baseball that educates and empowers players, parents, coaches, and associations worldwide to be the best they can be through our network.
BTVF: You’ve been to France as a player and coach nearly 30 years ago. What are your memories from that time?
K.M: Yes, I played and coached in Savigny with Phillipe Denis and Guillaume Coste in 1993. For me personally, playing and coaching was an incredible experience to see the passion of the French for learning and developing the game of baseball. It was also incredible to be able to travel in France with Karen and discover the culture and sites we had studied in school. Everything came alive because back then, we didn’t have the internet to see the world as we do now. I returned in 2016 for a quick visit as Guillaume has always had an unshakable desire to grow the game in France, just like me. We ended up sending our sons, Nolan and Braydon, to play and coach in 2017 for Savigny.
BTVF: Your life choice is to join the La Rochelle Buccaneers. Can you explain why France and why La Rochelle?
K.M: Nolan was the coach of the international team for the 2017 French All-Star game held in La Rochelle and he spoke so highly of the city, the Buccaneers, the field, and his overall experience that it was something I had to explore. Karen and I plan to retire in Europe and I wanted to be in a place where there was baseball so I could be a part of it, so La Rochelle became a priority for us. I did a podcast with Theo Lakmeche (Buccaneers catcher) and when we finished, I asked him how his experience with the Buccaneers had been, and he couldn’t stop praising Pascal Regnier, the team, the city, and the region. He told me they were looking for a manager for 2022 and I told him I was interested. Pascal and I discussed it and we had the same vision and goals for the Buccaneers and baseball in France. The decision to come and be part of the Buccaneers family was an easy one!
BTVF: You’ll need to help the La Rochelle Buccaneers reach the top 4 of Division 1. What are the main axes of your overall strategy?
K.M: It will be a challenge to compete with powerhouses like Rouen, Senart, Savigny, and Montpellier for the top 4 in Division 1, but it’s a challenge I’ve faced several times in my career, so I’m eager to take it on. I have a very specific way of coaching and developing players and coaches to succeed, both in the short and long term, the details of which I’ll keep for the Buccaneers for now. I will say this, it starts with having the right mindset and then evolving from there to become the best Buccaneers organization on the field, in the community, the country, and across Europe.
BTVF: In addition to coaching the elite team, you will be the supervisor of all the Buccaneers’ baseball and softball teams. You’ll help other coaches and actively participate in the club’s overall development (both human and commercial). How will you manage all these projects?
K.M: Yes, it’s a huge project, but it’s something I’ve been doing for a long time. It’s helpful to have the baseball resource network we already have with Dirtbag Baseball Nation, then combine it with what Pascal has already created within the Buccaneers organization, locally and abroad. I have a contagious energy for teaching and communicating why I love this game to bring others to love and understand it at a whole other level. I’ve already started having video conversations with some players to get to know each other and I’m always available to talk with anyone within the Buccaneers organization to get to know them personally. Once I have a better understanding of how each person is involved and what they’re comfortable doing within the organization, then we can really start to make an impact and continue to develop talent on the field, the fan experience, win sponsors, build community relationships, and develop the game in the La Rochelle region to its full potential.
BTVF: What can we wish you?
K.M: Excellent question! I hope Covid is behind us, that we’ll have good weather all season, that the players will be healthy, have the passion to learn and be competitive during games and practices, and that the community will support the Buccaneers because as we say here at Dirtbag Baseball Nation, IT’S TIME TO RISE UP, BRING THE ENERGY AND WILL! Go Buccaneers.
