San Diego Force Welcome New Manager for the 2021 Season

By Cassidy Thornburg

6.23.2021

Former player, coach, and local business owner Chris Moody takes over as the new Manager and Vice President of Player Development for the San Diego Force Baseball Club. He takes over for Essex “Gas” Burton, a former Padre, who finished coaching with the San Diego Force Baseball Club after the 2019 summer season. When asked what it means to take over as the Force’s new manager, Moody responded with humility, seeing it as an opportunity to give back to an organization that helped build him as a player and into the coach he is today. 

“I see it as a privilege. I appreciate the fact that I have been put in this position and that the owner, Michael King, trusts me to run the program and keep the winning organization alive… something that I was a part of as a player,” Chris Moody shared. 

Moody played with the Force organization for six summers, doubling as a catcher and first baseman. At the plate, he held a career-high batting average of .321, knocked out 27 home runs, and swiped 23 bags. While his stats on the field speak for themselves, Force owner Michael King recalls that Moody’s worth to the organization extended far beyond the field. 

“Chris was a true team player, mentor to his teammates, but also a leader, teacher, and a coach,” King said. 

Moody played a significant role in the Force’s success over the years, participating in six world series and six championships. He played two years of independent ball and came back to coach for the Force organization for five. As a coach, he took part in another two world series and four championships. 

As manager for the 2021 season, Moody is passionate about creating a relaxed atmosphere that prioritizes player development and pure enjoyment of the sport and community it provides. 

“I love watching these guys grow and have fun, especially the way they approach the game. I’m definitely a player-coach—I like having the dugout atmosphere, chemistry within the team, and just seeing these guys have fun, joke around, and compete.” Moody said. 

The role that the Force has played in his advancement has directly impacted Coach Moody’s investment in his player’s careers on an individual basis. 

“I take pride in helping my JUCO guys who don’t have a ride or place to play and finding them a home. I want to give back to the baseball world as best I can and help these guys get exposure, go to college, and hopefully the pros one day too.” Moody shared. 

As Moody takes time aside from running his Hittrax-Rapsodo-Blast Motion company in Santee, California — the Analytic Baseball Academy – to be out with the Force for the summer, he is ready to continue the legacy of San Diego Force baseball. 

“The vision is winning the league for sure. We will see which tournament we choose to play in at the end of the summer, but, hopefully, we get a chance to compete at a higher level against some higher teams and show what we are capable of.” Moody said.