Q&A: New Macon Bacon manager ready to sizzle

With their season fast approaching, the Macon Bacon are set to host their 2026 Bacon Fest this Saturday. The Melody visited with new manager Jesse Litsch, a former Major League Baseball player and longtime baseball coach, to chat about the upcoming season and his role with the team.

Responses have been lightly edited for clarity.

As a former MLB player, what led you to the Macon Bacon?

So I spent two years managing in the MLB Draft League, then I went to come home to Florida and did the Florida league. I had a point where I wanted to get out and about and the Macon job came up. It was a good team and a good league, so I interviewed and got the job. That took care of itself. For me, it’s high-quality baseball in a good atmosphere with some fun people around. That’s all you can ask for in college summer ball.

What’s your favorite part of being a manager?

It’s understanding the whole game. I was a pitcher in the big leagues. If you know me, you know I was a third baseman in college. There’s a lot that goes into managing. This is a college summer league, but eventually the goal is to manage in pro ball. For me, I love the whole game — understanding the ins and outs of hitting, pitching and fielding. That’s the big stuff for a manager and I think I do a good job of it.

You might not know the full roster yet, but who is one player fans should watch for this year?

We have a kid, Stewart Puckett, who’s at South Alabama University right now hitting in the 3 or 4 hole. He’s over at third base, and he’s hitting about .320 or .330 with six or seven home runs. He might get drafted, there’s a possibility of that — there’s a big arm at Coastal Carolina, Stewart took him way over the fence. He’s a kid that can hit with wood, which you don’t see very often.

We also might have a guy who can throw 97-98 mph, Kaiden Lopez out of junior college in Florida. He might not make it, with pitchers you never know, but he’ll be really fun to watch if we have him.

What are some of the toughest teams to play against in the Coastal Plain League?

You want my honest answer there? I have no idea. This is my first year in the league, and I just make my team and we’re ready to go play whoever. I know we have a lot of traveling from the South, but as far as what the best teams are, I haven’t looked at that yet. I kind of check closer to the season and lock in when rosters come out, because it’s going to vary every year. Everyone’s going to recruit differently and have different players. We’re ready to play whoever.

Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with — or coached?

Wow. I mean, I’ve played with some greats — Frank Thomas, Roy Halladay and Scott Rolen all in Toronto. That’s easy, they’re Hall-of-Famers. So probably one of those guys.

As far as coaching, I have a couple kids making their way up the minor leagues now. I was with the Braves for a very short period of time, so I did coach Ronald Acuña Jr. and William Contreras. I can say I coached them, but I didn’t really have an impact on anything they were doing — they were there, I was there. I was more of a pitching coach. Matthew Etzel plays for the Florida Marlins in Triple-A, he won the Triple-A National Championship last year, so he’s a good answer, too.

What stunt or contest in between innings at a Bacon game do you think you could pull off? Any hidden talents?

I’m pretty athletic for a big guy. I would have to see. I grew up singing — I won’t sing, I can tell you that. If there’s anything involving shooting hoops or throwing things, I can do most of it. It would all depend. I’m not gonna play leap frog. (Laughs.) I have a good time, so that’s kind of my atmosphere.

What’s your favorite part of Macon so far?

I’ve only been there once. I really wanted to make it to Bacon Fest, but the travel team I coach has a tournament, so I can’t make it. We were actually in Georgia a few weeks ago for a tournament, and the first game, we played a team called the Macon Fire. I was asking them all about Macon. They gave me some good stuff about where to eat, where to stay and things like that. They were a cool crew; I told them to come out to a game.

What’s the best type of bacon served at the ballpark?

Oh man, I’ve got a picture of that concession menu. Let me see. It has to be this one — the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.” That sounds delicious — fried chicken with bacon, syrup, bacon jam and a hashbrown served with two Belgian waffles? That sounds deadly and delicious at the same time.

Do you have a message for the fans?

Just get ready to have some fun. Come out and support like you always do, and hopefully we’ve put together a good team for you. That’s my goal. We’ll definitely have some fun.

Bacon players open the 2026 season with a May 28 game in Florence, South Carolina, against Forest City. Their first home game is May 30 against Lexington County. Learn more and buy tickets at maconbaconbaseball.com.