Ottawa Rapidz fire general manager

The general manager of Ottawa's minor league baseball team has been fired, less than three months into the team's inaugural season.

The Ottawa Rapidz announced Wednesday that Ed Nottle will be replaced temporarily by batting coach Tom Carcione, effective immediately, because of the team's poor record.

The Rapidz have won 13 games and lost 34 so far in their debut season in the independent Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball (Can-Am) League.

"Ed has helped the Rapidz take root in Ottawa, but a manager is ultimately judged by his team's performance," said team co-owner Rob Hall in a statement, "and we felt it necessary to make a change at this time."

A permanent replacement for Nottle, a veteran who has managed baseball teams for 35 years, will be found in the fall.

Nottle, 68, said Thursday he wanted to succeed in Ottawa "more than anywhere" but setbacks like this are part of the business.

"I've always told everybody, the kids in it … unless you make it to the big time, you're just signing up for a life of about 90 per cent disappointment," he said. "And if you can handle it, then the 10 per cent of the good times are worth it."

He added that he planned to manage again, and he had only praise for those who fired him.

"They've been the most supportive owners I've ever been involved in," he said. "All we had to do was win a few ball games."

Nottle took a leave of absence last week to visit his wife, who has been fighting cancer, in Evansville, Ind.

He arrived back in Ottawa on Wednesday.