New spring coaches at Norristown

Norristown will have new coaches on the softball and baseball sidelines next spring. One of them will be a very familiar face.

Jim McCarthy is returning to coach the Eagles softball team after a 17-year career there that ended when he resigned after the 2008 season.

He stepped down to watch his daughter play field hockey and softball at Arcadia.

Taking over on the baseball diamond will be Vince Elsier. Elsier is familiar with Norristown, too, having graduated from the school in 1981. He was a four-year player for the Eagles.

Currently a scout for the Baltimore Orioles, Elsier was the coach at Souderton from 1998 to 2005. He won three Suburban One League championships with the Indians. He plans to continue as an associate scout while coaching at Norristown.

"I saw Norristown play a couple of times last year after we returned [to the area] from Florida," Elsier said. "The team struggled a bit. We were good when I played. I want to restore the team to its winning ways."

Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.