Les Lancaster will lead the Explorers in 2008. Lancaster spent the previous three seasons in the Golden League where he made the playoffs two out of three seasons and won a league championship in 2006 with the Reno Silver Sox. Prior to his time in the Golden League, Lancaster managed Adirondack in 1999 and 2000 and Lincoln in 2001 and 2002, both of the Northern League. Les led Adirondack to a championship in 2000 and has made the playoffs in 6 of 8 seasons as a field manager. He was named Baseball America’s Independent League Manager of the Year in 2000 and Golden League Manager of the Year in 2006.

Lancaster played one year at Dallas Baptist University before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he spent three seasons with the Razorbacks. The Chicago Cubs signed Lancaster in 1985 and it took him less than three seasons to land on the big league roster. Les was both a starting pitcher and reliever for the Cubs from 1987 to 1991. He enjoyed his best season in 1989 where he posted a 4-2 record with a 1.36 ERA and 8 saves in 42 relief appearances. He helped Chicago win the National League East Division championship and was named a post-season all-star.  

After his four-year stint with the Cubs, Lancaster moved onto Detroit in 1992 and then St. Louis in 1993. As a major leaguer, Les accumulated a record of 41-28 with a 4.05 ERA and 22 saves. Following his big league career, Les pitched with various independent teams and overseas in Taiwan, Mexico and Italy.