Thayer Academy has named James Pierce ‘03 as head coach of its varsity baseball team. 

“We’re thrilled to have Coach Pierce take the helm of our boys varsity baseball program,” said Athletic Director Bobbi Moran. “As an alum and a mentor, he embodies the best of what the sport of baseball teaches. His positive attitude and commitment to our athletic teams are outstanding. Coach Pierce understands the importance of individual and team development and is deeply committed to the overall health and well-being of each individual in his program.”

Moran said she had great faith in Pierce’s ability to raise the bar for Thayer baseball in both the ISL and NEPSAC leagues while building upon Thayer’s strong foundation in the sport.

As for Pierce, who served as a longtime assistant coach for the Tigers, he’s ready to lead the program he knows well. 

“I’m proud to have this opportunity,” said Pierce, who thanked Moran and Thayer for the chance to return to his alma mater as a head coach. “When I was a student-athlete at Thayer, coaches Don Badger ‘63 P ‘98, ‘01 and Joe Haney significantly impacted me as a baseball player. They allowed me to grow as a player and a person, and I want to do that for our current and future student-athletes.”

During his playing days at Thayer, the Dorchester native was a three-year starter and earned multiple ISL All-League honors. As starting shortstop and co-captain, Pierce helped the Tigers to a share of the 2003 ISL title. 

Pierce then attended Thomas College in Maine where he became a four-year starter for the Terriers. He earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management while also earning multiple all-league selections in the North Atlantic Conference. As a freshman starting at third base, Pierce was named the 2004 NAC Tournament MVP as Thomas College won the NAC championship. In his senior year of college, Pierce captained the baseball team while also earning Senior Athlete of the Year honors. 

In 2007, Pierce played professionally during the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League. He started at third base for the Bet Shemesh Blue Sox and helped the team win that year’s championships (regular season and playoffs). 

Closer to home, Pierce played 11 seasons in the Boston Park League — America’s oldest amateur baseball league — and has multiple all-star selections and two championships for his efforts. He won the league’s Jean Yawkey Award in 2004 and its Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2006. He is currently third on the Boston Park League’s career hits leaderboard and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2022. 

Pierce will be joined this spring by assistant coaches Greg Beston, Brad Peterson ‘11, and Brian Tanguy. 

With home games at the Justin A. Lloyd ‘12 Baseball Field on campus, Thayer’s varsity baseball program competes against fellow ISL schools as well as NEPSAC opponents. Since 1977, the program has totaled 38 winning seasons and captured eight ISL championships. 

After their annual trip to Florida during Spring Recess followed by several local scrimmages, the Tigers begin their regular season Saturday, April 1, at 1 p.m. when they host Cushing Academy.