This is an uncertain time of year for a lot of ball players, especially those in the minor leagues.

Many minor league players who aren’t on the 40-man roster for a major league team exist on year-to-year contracts.

For most, that’s not a problem because they don’t have the service time to become a minor league free agent and play elsewhere. For the longer tenured players though, it can be a little unsettling.

It’s much the same for minor league coaches and managers.

Lehigh Valley manager Tank Adamson is fortunate enough that he has a contract with the Phillies for next season, but no guarantee on exactly what he will be doing.

Just because he finished the season as the IronPigs manager doesn’t mean he will return in that same role. The uncertainty about the manager and coaching staff in Philadelphia further complicates the situation.

“I know I’ll be doing something, but I’m not sure what,” said Adamson with a laugh. “I would like to be back here (at Lehigh Valley) and continue managing, but I don’t know whether that will happen or not. It’s all up in the air right now, and the guys in Philadelphia are worrying about bigger things than that.”

From watching the players and talking to a few of them off the record, they would love to have Adamson back.

The atmosphere around the clubhouse and in the dugout is far better than it was under Anthony Contreras, who was elevated to being the Phillies third base coach when former Manager Rob Thomson was fired. The players are looser, and go through their pre-game drills with more gusto than they did early in the season when Contreras was in charge.

The trainers have even incorporated using a rugby ball into pre-game work as a nod to Adamson’s Australian heritage and familiarity with the sport, although he says he’s much better at cricket.

“I think it’s important for players to feel comfortable. Everybody has their own style and way of doing things,” noted Adamson. “I don’t try to be best friends with these guys. I want them to know that they have to work hard, and they have to put in the work and with these guys, that hasn’t been a problem. They know what we, as coaches, expect and they do it.”

The IronPigs went 51-64 under Adamson, but minor league managers and coaches always stress development over wins. Games are managed differently at the minor league level as players prepare to play in the majors and continue to develop.

Many times, Triple-A managers get to work with the big league club once the minor league season ends (which will be Sunday for Lehigh Valley).

It’s possible that Adamson could be doing that or he could work with players who are on the 40-man roster, but not in Philadelphia. The Phillies will want to keep them ready in case they’re needed during the regular season or even during the postseason. That could happen in Clearwater or in the Lehigh Valley.

Adamson’s usual winter job is actually a summer job in his native Australia. He has managed in the Australian League for a number of years after putting in his time here in the states.

Adamson noted that new ownership might not keep him or, he might not want to return as the skipper of the Adelaide Giants. As of now, it appears that Adamson will have some time off.

“That would be okay, too,” said Adamson of not returning as manager of the Giants. “I have a son who is starting to play, and it would be nice to spend more time with him and watch him; have a chance to just be dad.”

SIMPLY THE BEST ... The IronPigs Player and Pitcher of the Year were announced during the final homestand. First baseman Felix Reyes was named the Player of the Year, and right-hander Chuck King won the Pitcher of the Year honor. Reyes joined Lehigh Valley late last season after putting up numbers at Reading that earned him the MVP Award for the Eastern League. Reyes, 25, is on the IL with a wrist fracture suffered a month ago but hit .287/.318/.511 for an .829 OPS in 85 games to go with 21 home runs, 70 RBIs and 59 runs scored. King, 28, pitched three games at Reading to start the season before joining Lehigh Valley. With the IronPigs, the righty was the most consistent member of the starting rotation and is 10-7, with a 3.97 ERA in 22 starts (23 appearances) with Lehigh Valley. It’s likely he will make a start on the last road trip of the season at Syracuse.

HOMER HAPPY ... Lehigh Valley had a stretch of two games this past week when it hit seven home runs in two games. Unfortunately, Worcester had the last laugh as it launched five home runs in Sunday’s finale at Coca-Cola Park. Allan Castro hit two of those home runs, and belted four against the IronPigs this season while driving in 15 runs. He posted a .415 average (27-for-65) against Lehigh Valley pitching.

PLAY ON ... While the Pigs are playing out the string, the Reading Fightin’ Phils are preparing to play the Hartford Yard Goats in the Northwestern Division playoffs in the Eastern League. Reading hosts game one, with game two and three (if necessary) in Hartford. Top position player prospect Aidan Miller is now with Reading, as is top pitching prospect Gage Wood.