News & Highlights

Blue Devil baseball shifted into a new gear this past season – lots of exciting changes were made. From this new web site, to new coaches and facilities, change is everywhere. See recent CBS coverage of Blue Devil baseball:

Recognition

• WWBA - Catch the highlight play by Chevez Clarke at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, FL. Way to go Chevy!
• Summer Team - The summer team had a great summer. Thank you to players Jesse Wood, Kyle Newell, and Brian Higginbotham home from college who helped Coach Lane Wood (along with Rick Nixon and Rob MacPherson) with the team.
• MLB Draft - Congratulations to Austin Hyatt (class of 2004) for being drafted in the 15th round by the Phillies.
• College - Congratulations to Ryan Newell (class of 2009) for signing with USC Upstate.
• Showcase - Congratulations to Chevez Clarke for being selected to the 2009 Aflac All-American Baseball Classic showcase East team.

Coaching

First off, we are proud and excited to have Chris Stafford in his first season with MHS as the head baseball coach. He comes to us from North Cobb Christian School, where he founded and headed-up their program for the past nine years. As their head coach, he lead NCCS to numerous regional and state championships. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge, new ideas, and energy to Marietta’s Baseball program. He has already surrounded himself with four outstanding coaches: Col. James Wilson and Brian Kane join him from MHS, and drawing from strong baseball coaching experience in the community. Please find their biographies under the Coaching Staff web page for more about our new leadership.

Facilities

Indoors: We are upgrading the baseball facilities at MHS. Adding to the first-class covered stadium seating and baseball field, is a brand new 4,500 square foot indoor batting and training facility.  Made possible by the generous support of Marietta City Schools and the contributions of friends of the Blue Devil program, this new state-of-the-art facility enables our players to practice even when the weather doesn't cooperate. This lighted and heated training center contains two 70-foot netted batting tunnels, two 60-foot pitching lanes, and ample space for indoor workouts. We acquired a new pitching machine, and added a sign last season. Benches are planned for the batting facility this fall.

Outdoors: Big improvements are taking place outdoors, as well. Outside the pitching mound, home plate, and the infield mix have all been renovated.  Both the home and visitor bullpens have been - doubled in size to allow for two pitching lanes each.  The catcher’s area is now all-weather turf on concrete pads. These new lanes will enable increased outdoor practice time when the weather permits. This season we installed new backstops behind the bullpens. Thanks to contributions of laber and materials, and hard work by our parents and players, we were able to install dugout fences. This season we would like to replace the outfield windscreen, and make other improvements. 

Miscellaneous: Many worn out field maintenance and practice items were upgraded and replaced last season. New soil and infield mix storage bins where built by parents of our players. We also added coach’s lockers to the coaching office. New stairs, landscaping, and remodeled sponsor signage are in the works.

Maintenance: On the maintenance front things are happening as well. Marietta School maintenance has repainted the dugouts, and the concessions and bathroom doors. The grounds keeping contract with the school campus now includes the baseball field surrounding grounds. Enhanced drainage and water diversion is being planned for and damaged fences have been repaired.

 

The foundation is being laid for the future of MHS Baseball! These exciting efforts will benefit the program and our players for years to come.