Dave Chavarria is the new pitching coach of the Class “A” Wisconsin Timber

David Chavarria

Rattlers.  The Brewers made the announcement on Wednesday. 

Chavarria takes over for Chris Hook, who has been moved to Huntsville, the Southern League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Chavarria has spent the past 11 seasons in player development in the Texas Rangers organization.

Chavarria began pitching professionally after being signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Rangers in 1991.  He played for seven seasons in the minor leagues.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers open the 2012 Midwest League season on Thursday, April 5 against the Cedar Rapids Kernals at Time Warner Cable Field.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Dayton Dragons will wrap up a 3-game series on April 27 at Miller Park.

The Rattlers, Milwaukee’s Midwest League affiliate, will host a game at Miller Park for the fourth consecutive year.  Dayton is the Midwest league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, a National League Central Division rival of the Brewers.

The 2012 game will be the sixth time the Timber Rattlers have played a game at Miller Park.  Wisconsin played there as guest of the Beloit Snappers in 2003 and 2004.  The Rattlers have hosted Peoria (2009 and 2011) and Cedar Rapids (2010) since becoming an affiliate of the Brewers.

The Milwaukee Brewers announced the 2012 coaching staffs at Brevard County, Wisconsin and rookie teams in Helena and Arizona.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers staff will stay the same, which means Appleton native Matt Erickson will be back as field manager for a second straight season. 

Pitching coach Chris Hook and hitting coach Dusty Rhodes will also return.

The Milwaukee Brewers announced a 4-year player development contract extension with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League through the 2016 season.

The Brewers partnership with the Timber Rattlers officially began on Oct. 1, 2008.  The Timber Rattlers current deal was set to expire in 2012.