Ricky Van Asselberg starts his second season as AirHogs manager. He led Grand Prairie to the 2011 American Association championship, defeating the St. Paul Saints in five games. This was Van Asselberg’s second straight league championship as he led the Shreveport-Bossier Captains to the title in 2010.

Van Asselberg, 38, previously managed the Alexandria Aces in the United League. His clubs won back-to-back crowns in 2006 and 2007.

A Gardner, LA resident, Van Asselberg played collegiately at Baptist Christian College in Shreveport, winning back-to-back national small-college championships in 1995 and 1996. He was a two-time small college All-America selection.

Van Asselberg started his professional playing career in 1996 with the Alexandria Aces. In 1997, he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and played for the Bluefield Orioles in the Appalachian League. Ricky also spent time with the Ozark (MO) Mountain Ducks in 2001 and Rio Grande Valley (TX) White Wings in 2002, serving as a player/coach for both clubs.