Premier Coaches - Abbotsford Cardinals Baseball Club

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Abbotsford PR Cardinals

Coquitlam PR Reds

Delta PR Blue Jays

Langley PR Blaze

Mid Island PR Pirates

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Head Coach, Director of Players Development

Kevin Nicholson

Kevin Nicholson

Kevin Nicholson enters his 3rd season as head coach for the Senior Abbotsford Cardinals. Prior to his time with Abbotsford, Nicholson coached in the PBL for Whalley Chiefs from 2021-22. During his playing career, Nicholson played at Stetson University (NCAA D1) from 1994-97. In 1996, Nicholson was named the Cape Cod Summer League MVP. He was drafted in the first round of the 1997 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, becoming the first Canadian to ever be drafted in the first round. In addition to his 10 year professional career, Nicholson also represented Canada in the Olympics in 2004, as well as Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic in 2006. Nicholson began coaching for BC Minor in 2016, and was named 2x Coach of the Year. Nicholson is excited to compete for the PBL Championship in 2026 with the Cardinals!

Assistant Coach

Atsu Inomata (Catching)

Atsu Inomata (Catching)

Atsu Inomata enters his 3rd season with the Abbotsford Cardinals, serving as the catching coach for the Senior Team. Inomata played at Nishinomiya Kita High in Japan from 1986-88. He began coaching in 2007 for Coquitlam Little League until 2015. Additionally, Inomata served as All Star Coach & Provincial Finalist in 2010, 2012 & 2013. From 2014-2019, Inomata served as Head of Player Development & Head Coach for Asahi Baseball Association. 2016-2018 coaching BC Minor Bantam AAA team. 2016 Provincial Finalist, 2018 Provincial champions. In 2019, Inomata began his coaching career in the PBL, first with the Coquitlam Reds Junior, then with Whalley Chiefs Senior. In addition to coaching for Abbotsford, Inomata is a Senior instructor at Nicholson Baseball, as well as an instructor for Yale Baseball Academy.

Assistant Coach

Jarrod Manick (Pitching)

Jarrod Manick (Pitching)

Jarrod Manick enters his 6th year for the Abbotsford Cardinals, serving as the pitching coach for the Senior staff. Manick played for the Abbotsford Cardinals for two years from 2015-2016. Manick was a member of the 2016 Abbotsford Cardinals Premier PBL Champions. After graduating, Manick went on to attend McPherson College (NAIA) and played for four years from 2016-2020. During his time at McPherson College, Manick became the program’s all time record holder for saves, as well as the single season record holder for saves. After college, Manick joined the Abbotsford Cardinals Junior Coaching Staff as a pitching coach, where he eventually worked his way up to become the program’s Senior Pitching coach. Manick also serves the baseball community as an instructor for Yale Baseball Academy, as well as Nicholson Baseball. Coach Manick is excited for the 2026 Abbotsford Cardinals Senior Season!

Assistant Coach

Justin Atkinson (Hitting)

Justin Atkinson (Hitting)

Justin Atkinson enters his 1st year as a coach in the PBL. Atkinson played for the Whalley Chiefs and the Langley Blaze in his PBL career before being drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011. Justin also was a part of the Junior National Team from 2009-2011 playing under Corey Eckstein in 2011. Spent 6 years in the Blue Jays organization, winning a Championship in 2013 with Vancouver. Justin represented Team Canada with the Senior team in Taiwan at the Premier 12 Tournament. Justin looks to join Kevin and the staff to bring his professional experience back tothe Abbotsford Cardinals.

Assistant Coach, Director of Baseball Operations

Max Ishikawa (Outfield)

Max Ishikawa (Outfield)

Max Ishikawa enters his second year with the Cardinals as an assistant coach on the Premier staff. In his time with the Cardinals, Max was part of the Premier staff that finished 42-16 overall in 2025. Prior to the Cardinals, Max served as Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach for Far Northeast Warriors, a 5A high school program in Denver, CO from 2018-2024. During his time in Denver, Max led the Warriors to an overall record of 59-26, reaching the 5A State Playoffs three straight seasons and winning the Denver Public Schools City League in 2023. Max was also named DPS Coach of the Year in 2022. Max originates from Chicago, IL where he played collegiate baseball at North Central College (NCAA D3). He also spent time coaching at Harper College (NJCAA), as well as Chicago White Sox Elite from 2015-2019. In addition to serving as an assistant coach, Max also serves the Cardinals as Director of Baseball Operations, Recruiting Coordinator and Social Media Manager.