CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Charlottesville Tom Sox announced today (May 8) the addition of Jim Darin, Joey Davis, and Chris Glaize to their 2025 coaching staff. The trio join returners Randy (Head Coach) and Coy Tomlin (Assistant Coach) to complete the Tom Sox’s staff roster.
“Our staff shares the values that make the Tom Sox what they are,” said Tomlin. “Coaching is what they love to do, and they are there to help meet the kids’ needs and make them even better. Their experience and knowledge of different parts of the game, as well as the whole game, set them apart. I believe this is another group that can win a championship, but the game of baseball is played on the field, not on paper. It’s going to be a great summer, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Jim Darin re-joins the Tom Sox as an Assistant Coach after making three trips to the Valley League Championship as a part of Corey Hunt’s staff from 2017-19. A former 30+year Therapy Services Administrator at UVA Health, Darin will assist the Tom Sox roster with health, safety, and preventative care, keeping them in top shape for the league’s 42-game schedule.
“I’m really excited to re-join the Tom Sox,” Darin said. “The three years I spent with the Tom Sox were some of the best experiences of my life. I liked the energy, getting to know the players, and seeing what has become of the players we got to coach during that time. I’m looking forward to more success this summer.”
During Darin’s first tenure as an assistant, the Tom Sox began their dominant run over the Valley League that still continues today. The ’Sox won the league title in 2017, just their third year as a franchise, and followed it up with a second in 2019. Darin helped mentor MLB players Vinnie Pasquantino, Connor Gillispie, Carson Spiers, and Kyle Nicolas, as well as 2017 VBL MVP Michael Wielansky and 2018 VBL Pitcher of the Year Jared Wetherbee.
Now retired from the healthcare industry, Darin maintains an active role with both the Monticello High School baseball program and the Charlottesville-based Dominican Baseball Camp, which he has been a part of for more than a decade. With the Dominican Baseball Camp, Darin mentored Jesus Cesari, who will be a part of the Tom Sox’s 2025 roster.
“The wealth of knowledge that Jim brings will help a great deal,” said Tomlin. “Learning the game and playing better is part of the players’ development, but a lot of times the body is a hindrance to their skill development. Jim will bring a good dynamic to the staff in keeping the guys healthier, helping them learn how to stay healthy, as well as learning how to play the game better.”
Joey Davis joins the Tom Sox as Hitting Coach after a decades-long career as an MLB scout. A two-time World Series champion, Davis scouted for the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Atlanta Braves, signing players including Rhys Hoskins and Erik Miller. He was selected as the Phillies’ Dallas Green Award winner in 2017, awarded to a Phillies scout who “best exemplifies the Phillies’ standard for scouting while demonstrating the same loyalty, work ethic, dedication and passion as the award’s namesake.”
The 2025 summer will mark a new chapter in Davis’s career as he makes his return to coaching. Prior to scouting full-time, Davis coached at Berry College, St. Leo College, and Western Kentucky before spending three partial seasons as a minor league coach in the Blue Jays and Phillies organizations.
“Coaching has always been my first love”, Davis said. “After 25 years in the scouting cycle, I missed the camaraderie and hands-on aspect; helping the kids and watching them receive the awards and accomplishments. It’s a big responsibility and I’m looking forward to it.”
“Joey has been in the game for a very long time, and his résumé is really, really strong,” said Tomlin. “After we talked, I knew that hiring him was a no-doubter, and we were lucky to land him before somebody else did. The guys are going to love talking to and learning from him and his wealth of knowledge, and I’m looking forward to learning some things from him as well.”
Chris Glaize joins the Tom Sox as Pitching Coach while serving as Head Coach at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, VA. A former All-State infielder under his mentor Jim White, Glaize has led his alma mater to the 2012 Virginia Class AA title game and a pair of semifinal appearances, producing multiple D1 players along the way. Glaize previously served as an assistant for both the Charles Town/Purcellville Cannons and Winchester Royals in the VBL.
“You can’t turn down a job with the Charlottesville Tom Sox,” Glaize said. “I’ve been trying to get into Randy’s baseball mind for years, and I’m excited to see how he does things. You’re never too old to stop learning in this game, so this is a good opportunity to learn from one of the best coaches in Virginia.”
“I’ve known Chris for a long while, as he coaches at a rival school in [Liberty Christian’s] district,” Tomlin said. “We are good friends and have had many good games against each other. I’ve seen his knowledge and his work ethic, and he loves the game and doing what’s necessary to get the guys better.”
The Charlottesville Tom Sox open their title defense on Friday, May 30 against the Culpeper Cavaliers at Culpeper County High School, then make their 2025 debut at CHO Airport Field on Saturday, May 31 against the Harrisonburg Turks. First pitch for the home opener is set for 4 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are available at tomsox.org/tickets.
