Hal Lanier will be in his second year as the leader of the Sussex Skyhawks. Lanier led Sussex to the 2008 Can-Am League Championship in their third year of existence and was named Manager of the Year. Lanier spent ten seasons in the major leagues as a player, eight with the San Francisco Giants and two with the New York Yankees. As a rookie of the Giants in 1964, he batted .274 and was named to the Topps All-Star Rookie team. In his fifth season with San Francisco, Lanier led all National League shortstops in putouts (282) and fielding average (.979).

Upon the completion of this playing career, Lanier spent five seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization; serving as a minor league manager and then as the third base coach for the 1982 World Series and 1985 National League championship teams. In 1986, Lanier went on to manage the Houston Astros. In his first year with Houston, the Astros won the division title with a record of 96-66 and went on to the National Championship Series. For his efforts that season, Lanier was awarded the National League Manager of the Year. Following his stint with the Astros, Lanier spent the 1990-1991 seasons as a coach with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lanier has spent the past 13 seasons in independent baseball, including ten seasons with the Winnipeg Goldeyes and two with the Joliet Jackhammers.