Wednesday, October 12, 2005

Former baseball coach praises program's success

Guest opinion by Larry Lloyd


Larry Lloyd was a longtime Wood River High School assistant baseball coach who played a major role in the development of Founders Field.

As the World Series approaches and baseball fans enjoy the exciting conclusion to the division races, it is with sadness that I reflect on the recent resignation of the baseball coaching staff at Wood River High School. This action was precipitated by a mandate from Blaine County School Superintendent Jim Lewis forbidding use of school district facilities for any organized baseball activity in the fall of the school year. The Wood River Baseball Association, a separate entity from the high school, an umbrella organization for summer American Legion, Babe Ruth and all-star travel teams, had planned voluntary twice-a-week practice and a seven-Saturday scrimmage schedule to be coached by someone other than high school staff. This is in adherence to rules applied to all high school programs by the Idaho High School Athletics Association, and a plan utilized throughout the Magic and Treasure Valleys' successful high school programs, whatever the sport.

I would like to state that Lars Hovey, Steve Anderson and myself, the coaching staff, have always supported the sharing of athletes at the high school. Achieving success in any one sport or activity cannot be at the expense of another. However, I am a believer that the student/athlete, and his parents, should be able to decide in which activity they would like to participate, with the understanding from coaches that it would not be held against a player if he, or she, chooses not to be involved in an off-season program. A conscientious coach, at any level, strives to prepare his players to be competitive against their competition. In our case, although we had proven our ability to compete at the 4A level, we were returning not only a very young squad, but one that has seen a decline in those attending our initial workouts in the spring.

As a former player, longtime coach, and, together with Scott Basolo and Gregg Sturtevant, the visionary and developer of the South Valley Sports Complex, I have had the good fortune to have been involved in the baseball program since its inception in 1992. Although there had been a rich history of baseball in the Valley, we had no programs for either baseball or softball at the high school. What began 14 years ago as an attempt to give our young people an opportunity to play ball at this level developed into one of the most respected programs in Idaho and elsewhere. Founders Field is the envy of all who have played there, and the players themselves should be complimented for the pride they showed on their home field—an incredible 36 wins and only 2 losses the past four years. The success of the program is well documented, witness the nine league and four district championships, 6 consecutive trips to the state tourney, capped off by the 2003 Idaho State Championship. Also, we have seen 8 of our former players continue their playing days at the college level, no small feat for a school in a ski area.

I would like to personally thank the community for supporting our program through the years, and to the players themselves for the many memories they provided. The first year saw a special group of athletes play for the district championship at Atkinson's Park and lose a heartbreaker to eventual state champion Burley. There was the overpowering pitching of Christian Nickum, Michael Reed's game-winning squeeze bunt at the tournament, Eli Lloyd's clutch hitting, Zeb Rigg's towering home runs, and the yearly rivalry with Buhl. Those in attendance will never forget all the ground balls that Jake Upham took off his chest at third base, nor all the big games from Cory Goicoechea, James Cordes and Matt Zachery, all members of our first district championship team, and eventual third-place winner at state. There was the pleasure of coaching Matt and Kenny Nelson, and there was "The Catch," an unbelievable circus catch by Max Paisley in left-centerfield to secure our first district championship against Buhl. And the dominating state championship team of 2003, anchored by the pitching and hitting of Ryne Reynoso, our first Division 1 scholarship player. It should also be noted that this group of players was the Idaho State Academic Champion with a GPA of 3.48.

It has been a wonderful experience coaching your sons, and an honor to have coached all these many years with my good friend Lars Hovey. He continually brought dedication, organization and respect to the program, while together we attempted to teach the skills necessary for our players to be ready every time they stepped onto the playing field. I wish the new head coach, his staff, and all future players continued success. I know the community will be behind you, as it has been for us.




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