Four years after his long run with USF ended, Eddie Cardieri is back coaching baseball again, as manager of the Albany Quails of the Peach State League, a new four-team independent league based in Macon.

Cardieri, who went 731-546 in 21 seasons with the Bulls, has worked as a personal instructor in Tampa since leaving USF, but this is his first coaching role.  The Quails are 9-10 at the midpoint of the Peach State League season, which continues through early August. The league is designated as a rookie league, intended for players who were passed over in last month's MLB draft who have completed their college eligibility -- no players can be in the league for more than one season.

Here's the league's official site, and here's a recent story from the Macon Telegraph about the league's finances halfway through its first season. The Quails got a writeup from the Albany Herald when their season started last month. Another familiar name in the league is former Armwood and Florida star Brandon McArthur, who is coaching the Warner Robins Aviators.