Second Chances Behind The Plate
Answering the call, Derek Laferriere and Johnny Pappas helped shape a new franchise from the ground up.
When catcher Thomas McCaffery landed on the injured list, the Long Beach Coast needed a catcher, and they needed one fast. McCaffery was coming off a strong stretch that earned him Pioneer League Hitter of the Week, leaving a significant void in the Coast’s lineup as he slashed .393/.471/.803.
A phone call may last only a few minutes, but what follows can change the trajectory of one’s path.
For Derek Laferriere and Johnny Pappas, it began like any other day. They were living their day-to-day lives when the phone rang. On the other end was an opportunity few players ever receive: the chance to help build a team’s culture and identity from the ground up and to continue chasing their dream of playing professional baseball.
With one call, both catchers found themselves headed to Long Beach, joining the Coast’s inaugural season and becoming part of the foundation of a franchise writing its first chapter.
LAFERRIERE
After spending three seasons at San Francisco State, Laferriere opened the 2026 season in spring training with the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds. When he was eventually released, he returned home and went back to work at his family’s pizzeria, Whitecaps Pizza in Lake Tahoe.
Then came the phone call.
One day, while working at the restaurant, Laferriere heard from his former teammate and friend, Garry Grosjean. On the other end of the line was an invitation to join the Long Beach Coast, offering him another opportunity to continue his professional baseball journey.
“It’s pretty special to be a part of the first team,” said Laferriere. “It’s special being a part of this unique situation.”
PAPPAS
After playing for Troy Percival with the Idaho Falls Chukars and finishing a successful season, Pappas wanted to end on a high note and decided to retire. After being offered a contract for the ’26 season in Idaho, he turned it down and headed to Irvine, where he started coaching.
“Once I stepped away, it hit me,” said Pappas. “I don’t have forever to play the game.”
Pappas was hit with the revelation that he can coach the game till he’s 95 years old, but he can’t play till he’s 95.
“I knew if I walked away, it would haunt me for a long time,” said Pappas.
One evening in his Irvine apartment, while preparing for work the next day, Pappas received a call from his former coach, Troy Percival, a man he jokingly says seems to have a crystal ball in his pocket because of how often he appears to know what comes next.
“I’m excited to be back on a baseball field,” said Pappas. “To have a second chance to keep playing the game at a high level, I’m not going to take it for granted.”
BUILDING THE COAST
With the Long Beach Coast’s inaugural season taking shape, focus now turns to the players who will define it.
Laferriere says fans can expect him to play hard every day.
“They can expect me to go out there, give the same thing every day, and fly around the field,” said Laferriere.
Fans can expect maximum effort from Pappas as well.
“When I came out fresh off the couch, I ran straight into the fence and made a catch,” said Pappas.
Regardless of how tired these players may be, they are committed to giving their best effort on every pitch, a standard they take pride in. They thought their playing days were behind them, but with this second chance, they refuse to take a single moment off.
Laferriere and Pappas are beginning to carve out early roles with the Long Beach Coast, both through their play and the way they fit into a developing clubhouse.
“I like to be looked at as the guy that’s going to give it all every single day,” said Laferriere. “Come out and bring that energy to the field.”
“They would describe me as a team guy,” said Pappas. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for a win.”
ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY
For both players, arriving in Long Beach meant stepping into a new city, clubhouse, and ballpark that have all become their home. Blair Field, home to many greats such as Jered Weaver, left an immediate impression as they settled into the start of the inaugural season.
“It’s really fun playing here,” said Pappas. “The facilities are amazing; this feels like a minor league ballpark.”
“It’s a beautiful field, and it’s an amazing facility here,” said Laferriere.
As the Coast’s season gets underway, both players understand what they want to bring to Long Beach and what they want fans to see from this team.
“It’s a lot of fun coming out here,” said Laferriere. “Great place to come out and watch a ball game and watch the guys play.”
Having people to play for makes the team want to do more than just win games, but to bring a championship back.
“I want the Coast fans to know that we, as a team, are really excited to be here,” said Pappas. “Their support means a lot, whether there are 15 people here or 5,000, we can feel every single person that’s here, and we have something to play for.”