Norfolk Tides Announce 2026 Staff; Federowicz Returns as Manager

Tim Federowicz returns to lead the Norfolk Tides as the club unveiled its 2026 field staff, adding a mix of major league and Triple-A experience to the Orioles' top farm team. The announcement builds a staff designed to accelerate prospect growth and strengthen local connections in Hampton Roads.

The Norfolk Tides and Baltimore Orioles today announced Norfolk's field staff for the 2026 season, the team said on social media. “We’re excited to welcome back Manager Tim Federowicz for his 2nd season at the helm as he leads a strong group of new and returning staff,” the Tides posted, and MLB’s social copy read, “Introducing your 2026 Norfolk Tides Coaching Staff! ⚓🧭🔱.” Federowicz (pronounced fed-er-ROH-vitch) is entering his second season with Norfolk and his fifth season overall coaching after a 13-year playing career from 2008 to 2021 as a catcher. “In his three seasons as a Triple-A manager, he's 204-242 (.457),” a team bio notes.

Jeff Ware will serve as pitching coach, bringing both local roots and MLB experience. Ware is a Hampton Roads native and an Old Dominion alumnus who worked as the Toronto Blue Jays’ assistant pitching coach in 2023 and 2024. Rick Strickland joins as hitting coach after two seasons as the hitting coach at Triple-A Iowa. Those appointments pair Federowicz’s catching and managerial background with coaches who have recent experience at the major league and high Triple-A level, an alignment intended to smooth call-ups and late-season reinforcements.

Instruction roles include Felipe Rojas listed as Fundamentals Coach (also rendered in some reporting as Felipe Rojas Alou) and Billy Facteau, whose title appears as Development Coach in one source and Fundamentals Coach in another. Athletic training and support hires round out the staff: Alan Rail is head athletic trainer, Tori Atencio is assistant athletic trainer, Scott Smith joins as strength and conditioning coach, and Dan Wallin was hired as clubhouse manager.

The staffing comes amid a broader Orioles retooling of minor-league operations. The organization named Forrest Herrmann director of pitching and appointed Jeff Kunkel minor league field coordinator, while Mike Shildt and Mike Montville take upper-level instructional roles. Roberto Mercado returns to manage Double-A Chesapeake, Collin Woody is set to manage High-A Frederick, and Adonis Smith will lead Single-A Delmarva. Norfolk opens its season March 27, with Chesapeake and Delmarva opening April 2 and Frederick April 3.

From a business and cultural standpoint, the hires reflect two priorities: sharpening the development ladder to deliver major league-ready players and deepening regional ties. Ware’s Hampton Roads background and Old Dominion connection help the Tides market to local fans and sustain the pipeline of area talent. The mix of MLB-seasoned coaches and Triple-A veterans also signals the Orioles’ willingness to invest resources at the top of the farm system to shorten the path to Baltimore.

For fans tracking prospects, Federowicz’s return and the arrival of Ware and Strickland mean more consistent messaging on pitching and hitting philosophies as the season approaches. The team’s social posts and organizational moves make clear the Tides will introduce this staff to fans in the lead-up to the March 27 opener, with on-field results and promotions serving as the next measure of this staffing gamble.