Harris embraces new role

By Robert Daski

Published: September 6, 2008

Mark Harris was with the Wilmington Blue Rocks during their Northern Division playoff series with the Potomac Nationals.
Harris, a Manassas resident, was there to support the players as they try to advance to the Mills Cup.
But he also advised the Wilmington infielders on handling ground balls, bunts and knowing where to be on the field in certain situations.
That is his job description as Kansas City Royals’ infield coordinator.
“As the season goes, it’s more maintenance, coming and working on individual things during the season that you might need to work on,” Harris said after Game One of the series with Potomac, which the Nationals won, 3-0 to advance to the Mills Cup on Monday at Myrtle Beach.
“We’ll work before the game, then watch and evaluate during the game,” he added. “We’ll come out the next day and go after it again.”
Harris is in his second year with the Royals. He served as a roving coach with them in 2007.
He is embracing his new role after working as a scout with the Rangers and Phillies.
“I’ve always been a teacher and always loved being on the field and being hands-on with the kids,” Harris said.
“You hope the kids you teach and the daily work of the kids becomes a representative of you and what you believe in and what the organization believes in.
“It’s a challenge at a professional level because you’re dealing with so many personalities, so many different backgrounds, language barriers, different teaching philosophies and kids coming from college.
“We try to figure out what’s best for those guys and what’s going to work.”
Familiarity with Royals general manager Dayton Moore, director of player development J.J. Picollo and assistant director of player development Scott Sharp helped Harris earn a job with Kansas City.
“All those guys were familiar with me from before and thought it would be a good fit,” Harris said.
Harris also has a playing background. He is a former Yankees minor league shortstop. The Yankees drafted him with the 25th overall pick in 1978.
His father Gail played in the major leagues from 1955-60. Gail, who resides in Manassas, spent his first three years with the New York Giants and last three with the Detroit Tigers.
“That’s who I learned from,” Mark said. “I also learned about approach and professionalism and how to go about your business from being with the Yankees back in the ‘70s and early ‘80s.”
Low-A Burlington and Double-A Northwest Arkansas are two other Royals’ affiliates in the postseason. Harris sees the teachings of his fellow instructors paying off as players at those levels and at Wilmington are grasping what they are being taught.
“We have good instructors in our organization and guys that teach with passion,” Harris said. “I think it’s spilling to the kids and they’re starting to turn things around.”