Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes are proud to announce the hiring of Jason Hurst as the team’s new Field Manager for the 2026 Prospect League season.

Hurst brings a wealth of experience at nearly every level of baseball to Springfield. A former standout at Georgia Southern University, Hurst was a 1st Team All-Conference player and team captain, finishing his collegiate career with a remarkable .380 batting average—the second highest in program history. He went on to play professionally in the Boston Red Sox organization and in multiple independent leagues, where his offensive talent and leadership earned him the respect of teammates and coaches alike.

Transitioning into coaching, Hurst has built an impressive résumé. He has led successful high school rebuilds, developed talent at Enterprise State Community College, and served as Bench Coach for the Rocky Mountain Vibes in the Pioneer League, where he managed games and oversaw player development. In addition, Hurst founded Prime 9 Baseball, a respected training and development program that has helped dozens of athletes advance to college careers. Known for his deep recruiting network, his commitment to player growth, and his proven leadership, Hurst is prepared to bring energy, professionalism, and a winning mindset to Springfield.

“I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to serve as Field Manager for a great franchise in a great city,” said Hurst, in a news release. “Springfield deserves a winner, and the first order of business is recruiting a roster second to none in the Prospect League. I can’t wait to get to Springfield and meet our fans and organizational partners.”

“The Springfield Lucky Horseshoes are committed to building a culture of winning—on the field, in our community, and across every part of our organization. Bringing Jason Hurst on board as our new Field Manager is a major step forward in that vision.,” said Jamie Toole, Chief Storyteller, in the news release.  “Jason’s leadership, experience, and relentless drive will elevate our recruiting efforts, strengthen our player development, and give us the competitive edge we need. Our goal is clear: to bring a championship home to the City of Springfield, and we believe Jason is the right leader to guide our team to that success.”