In an effort to reverse their fortunes, the Lancaster Barnstormers are building what they consider to be a dream coaching staff.

Manager Von Hayes and former manager Tom Herr are joining forces.

Hayes has signed a two-year contract to return as the team's skipper. He went 64-76 in a tumultuous debut season that included a rash of injuries and a revolving clubhouse door involving 65 players.

Herr, who managed the Barnstormers in 2005 and during their 2006 Atlantic League championship run, has signed a one-year deal to serve as Hayes' bench coach.

This intriguing pairing will lead Lancaster into its fifth season.

"It gives us a chance to be better on a daily basis," Hayes said. "I have tremendous respect for Tommy as a player. He obviously was successful as a manager and, more importantly, as a manager in independent ball."

Herr and Hayes both interviewed for the Barnstormers' managerial opening in the fall of 2007. The team decided to hire Hayes, even though Herr proved he could win here. He posted a 139-127 record in two years at the helm.

Now the two men will work together in an effort to change the direction of a franchise that has ranked among the worst in the league since Herr resigned as manager in December 2006.

After he left his hometown team, Herr spent one season with the Washington Nationals' Single-A affiliate in Hagerstown, Md., before the two sides parted ways. He was out of pro ball last summer.

The Hempfield graduate and former Major-League All-Star said he was initially reluctant to return to the Barnstormers in a coaching capacity, but the lure of being close to home and getting back into uniform convinced him it was the right move.

"At first I thought it would be hard," Herr said. "But I feel like I have something to offer not only as a manager, but also in a subsidiary role. It will take some adjustment on my part. Hopefully, I'll be able to do that. I don't foresee it as a problem."

Hayes and Herr were teammates with the Phillies in 1989 and 1990. They discussed the possibility of Herr joining the staff prior to last season, but it didn't materialize. This season it seemed like a better fit.

That might be because the team keeps losing. The Barnstormers have won just 45 percent of their games since winning the 2006 title. They have struggled through four consecutive losing halves.

The manager's office has lacked stability during that time. Frank Klebe was the manager for 73 games in 2007 before being fired. Former pitching coach Rick Wise served as manager on an interim basis at the end of that season.

Hayes' attempt to jump-start the team never took hold as he struggled in his first crack at independent ball. The Barnstormers finished with the league's worst record.

Despite that dubious distinction, Lancaster rewarded Hayes with a multiyear contract. It was a decision that could only be viewed as a vote of confidence.

"We wanted to show each other that this wasn't a fluke thing," Hayes said. "There is genuine interest from both sides to try to win a championship. I thought it was important that we talk about two years to show them that I was impressed with the league and specifically the city of Lancaster."

Hayes' staff is not complete. The team is still searching for a pitching coach. Wise, the only pitching coach in franchise history, will not return. Hayes said Wise's replacement likely won't be added until the new year.

In the meantime, fans can wonder what the Hayes-Herr pairing will bring in 2009. Can these two strong-willed and highly competitive baseball men work well together?

The Barnstormers are banking on it.

"I decided to do this because I think it's a good opportunity for me," Herr said. "I've had some discussions with Von and I think it will be a good partnership. His desire is to win and my history has been as a winner as well. Hopefully, we can put our heads together and come up with that scenario."

That's the best-case scenario.

It's one the Barnstormers haven't enjoyed since Herr left two years ago.

E-mail: jguarente@lnpnews.com