PRESTON Jazz baseball team seem to have landed a major coup with the signing Vince Garcia, performance director of the Great Britain baseball international squads.

Pitcher Garcia, 31, predicted great things for the Lancashire side last season when they gained promotion to the Premier elite for the first time in the club's history.

The GB coach added: "The sport is on the threshold of something big."

Jazz's capture of Garcia has led to the team storming to second place in the table after victories against Hull-based Hessle Warriors, Edinburgh, Manchester and Liverpool.

England ace and Jazz captain Dennis Grogan has been particularly noteworthy, hitting 12 home runs, including four against Edinburgh.

Los Angeles-born Garcia, who is a broadcaster for Channel 5's Pitch it and Run programme, lives in Warrington.

The American ace has been allowed into the Preston team under strict league instructions -- that he is not allowed to coach during matches.

Another lead player in the side is 17-year-old GB youth star Rob Denham from Manchester.

Canadian-born Chorley-based coach Damien Mullen, who has been in the side since 1989, has settled the team well in only their second season in the top flight.

Catcher Phil Cocks suffered a broken leg when sliding into second base against Manchester on Sunday and he will be ruled out for the rest of the season.

The match ended in controversy when Preston went down to a one-run defeat in the second game of a double-header, having won the first 29-8.

Jazz made an official protest to the league following Manchester's victory when the referee allowed a run to stand. Many felt that the ball struck the player before he reached base. Jazz's Pete Howarth said: "We will have to await the appeal decision -- it was harsh to lose 12-11 under those circumstances."

Preston Jazz meet Liverpool Trojans on Moor Park on Sunday -- pitch off is noon.