Newly minted Bridgeport Bluefish manager, Ricky VanAsselberg has already begun setting lofty goals for his new team, having stated that he wants to win an Atlantic League championship, and he wants to do it this season.

VanAsselberg, who is the sixth manager in Bluefish franchise history explained, “We’re here to play baseball and win a championship. Period. And if you don’t like that, then we’ll send you somewhere else.”

He is likely to face an uphill battle however, as he takes over a team which has recorded three straight losing seasons, including a league-worst 47-93 record in 2014.

However, Bluefish fans will feel that VanAsselberg has a better chance than most of bringing silverware back to Bridgeport for the first time since 1999. As a manager, the Louisiana-native has won four championships; the American Association (2010 & 2011) and the United League (2006 & 2007).

VanAsselberg is already setting high standards for his players, stating, “I’ve always had a group of good young guys, and I demand perfection. If you don’t demand perfection and you don’t demand that out of yourself and your ball club, then you’re basically just spinning your wheels.”

The Bluefish start their 2015 season at home to the Camden Riversharks on April 24th.