Staff-

Dennis Vilela - Head Coach

Dennis Vilela is in his second year as the Joplin Slashers Head Coach and Fourth year coaching the team. Prior to coming to the Salshers, he spent a summer with the ACCBL in New Jersey. Dennis is currently in his third year coaching at Labette Community College in Parsons, KS. The Labette Cardinals are in the Jayhawk Conference. Prior to Labette Dennis was a high school coach for 10 years. He has been an associate scout with the Boston Red Sox for the last 8 years. He has been a speaker at Mickey Owens Winter Clinic and the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association Clinic. He has worked various camps and showcases all over the country for the University of Notre Dame, University of Arkansas, and Mickey Owen Baseball School. He has had 15 former players drafted or have gone on to play professional baseball. Vilela played ball at Pratt Community College in Pratt, KS, earning all-conference honors before transferring to Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. At Pitt he was a team captain. Vilela and his wife, Krista, live in Columbus, KS with their three children, Tanner(13), Emma (9), and Jack(9 mos).

Jim Ritter - Asst Coach

Jim Ritter has been with the Slashers two seasons. Coach Ritter is a native of Neosho, MO. He attended Missouri State University on a football scholarship and played baseball in the Independent League for three years. He is retired form the Marine Corps after 26 years of service. During his time in the Marine Corps, he was a coach/player on USMC teams for 22 years. For the past 11 years, Coach Ritter has coached for Mickey Owen Baseball School during the off season. He has been an assistant coach at Crowder College for seven years. His primary duties consists of working with the catchers and hitters. For the past 6 years, Coach Ritter has been an associate scout for the Los Angeles Angels.

Kevin Nelson - Asst Coach

Coach Nelson is in his second season as pitching coach for the Joplin Slashers. Since joining the Slashers last season, he has seen his staff members finish amongst the top of the Jayhawk League Standings. Two pitchers were voted in the top 10 players in the Jayhawk 2007 End of the Year Rankings as well as two pitchers named to Baseball America's 2007 top 10 Jayhawk League Players. Coach Nelson is currently the pitching coach for Carthage High School in Carthage, MO. In his three seasons at Carthage, he has had 5 pitchers earn all-conference honors, as well as 4 players go on to the collegiate level. As well as coaching at the high school ranks, he spends the remainder of his time working at the collegiate level in various areas. Coach Nelson is a volunteer baseball recruiter/evaluator for Labette Community College in Parsons, KS. He works and attends various college/university showcases, camps, and clinics. He has also been involved with such events as USA Junior National Baseball Trials and Premier Baseball World Series. Prior to his coaching career, he played college baseball at Missouri Southern State University from 1999 to 2002. He finished his Bachelor's degree at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS in 2005. His the son of Larry and Dorothy Nelson of Joplin. He lives in Joplin.

Front Office-

Scott Wright - General Manager

Jon Tupper - Marketing Director

Joshua Tupper - Finance Director

Mark Rains - Housing Director

Randy Steel - Promotions Director

Jimmy Hogelin - Umpire Coordinator