MONTICELLO, AR — Pine Bluff native Carlos James has been named interim baseball coach at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, according to Athletic Director Alvy Early.

James replaces Ron Hill, who was relieved of his baseball coaching duties Friday and reassigned within the Department of Athletics.

James is currently manager of the Arkansas Prospects of Little Rock and the APAK Scout Team of Memphis, traveling baseball squads that showcase prospects to college coaches and major league scouts. James is also an associate scout with the Seattle Mariners.

“We felt it was time to take the baseball program in a new direction,” said Early.
 
Early said UAM will conduct a search for a new baseball coach at the end of the season and that James will be among those considered for the position.

James was drafted out of Pine Bluff High School by the Oakland Athletics in 1990. He played two seasons at Seminole Junior College where his teams played in the NJCAA World Series in 1991 and ’92. He played two seasons at the University of Arkansas and two with the now-defunct Pine Bluff Locomotives in the independent Big South League in 1995-96.

James served as assistant head coach at UA-Pine Bluff from 2000-04 and head coach of the Pine Bluff Senior Babe Ruth Team in 2004-05. He is currently the coordinator and director of the Arkansas Prospect Showcase, a camp designed to give baseball players ages 14-18 a chance to perform for professional scouts, college coaches and certified player agents.
 
James is also the Arkansas representative at the PRO-DAY Baseball Camp held annually at Orange Beach, Ala.