Hooks. On January 15, 2015, Tom Backemeyer was announced to have been appointed Executive Vice President of the Lancaster JetHawks in advance of the 2015 season effective January 6, 2015. The native of Lincoln, Nebraska has a vast background in Minor League Baseball as prior to his arrival in Lancaster, Backemeyer helped develop franchises in Nashville, Rancho Cucumonga, Fresno, and in Everett where he was named Executive Vice President of the Aquasox of the Northwest League. A graduate of Colorado State University (BA) with an MBA from University of Denver, Backemeyer has developed into one of Minor League Baseball's bright young minds as he joins the JetHawks organization. The Lancaster JetHawks clinched a playoff berth after the 2015 season as the #2 seed Wild Card. In the Southern Division Mini-Series, the High Desert Mavericks beat the JetHawks, two games to one. The Lancaster JetHawks clinched a playoff spot as the Second Half Champions after the 2016 season, making it five straight playoff appearances. In the Southern Division Mini-Series, the JetHawks beat the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, two games to one. In the Southern Division Championship Series, the JetHawks lost to the First Half Champion High Desert Mavericks, three games to one. On October 3, 2016, the Lancaster JetHawks announced a new Player Development Contract with the Colorado Rockies. The agreement is for two years and will span the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The Rockies become the fifth affiliate in the JetHawks franchise history, replacing the Houston Astros who had been affiliated with the JetHawks for the past eight seasons (2009–2016). In January 2017, Fred Ocasio was named the JetHawks' new manager. Ocasio managed the Modesto Nuts during the 2015 & 2016 seasons and is entering his 21st year in the Rockies organization. Brandon Emanuel was named as the JetHawks' pitching coach. Emanuel also spent the past two seasons with Modesto. Derrick May was later named as the JetHawks' hitting coach for the 2017 season. After winning the first half title for the 2017 season, the JetHawks sent a record nine players to participate in the California League All-Star Game at Recreation Ballpark in Visalia on June 20th. Lancaster's all-star starters include first baseman Brian Mundell, second baseman Garrett Hampson, shortstop Brendan Rodgers, outfielder Sam Hilliard, and outfielder Wes Rogers. The JetHawks' all-star position player reserves include catcher Hamlet Marte and infielder/outfielder Mylz Jones. Right hand pitchers Craig Schlitter and Peter Lambert