indiana h.s. baseball news

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1 Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association indiana h.s. baseball news Volume XXXXIII Issue 2 December 2015 hall of fame to induct 5 new members Inside this issue: HOF Inductees & 1-2 Bio Information State Clinic 1 Information 2016 IHSBCA 3 Committees Clinic Registration 4 and Hotel Info North Quad VP & 5 Board Voting Info JR showcase info. 5 Ex. Director Update 6 The IHSBCA Hall of Fame will expand by five members when inductions take place during the 2016 State Clinic. The IHSBCA membership selected three coaches and one contributor. The veterans committee selected one former player to round out the 2016 Hall of Fame class. The Hall of Fame Banquet will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday night and the induction of the 2016 class will be the highlight of the event held in conjunction with the State Baseball Clinic. Also being honored that evening will be the State Coaches of the Year and the 16 coaches chosen as their District COTY. Coaches who have reached a plateau in victories will also be presented awards for their achievements at the banquet. The awards banquet is just one of the many events/activities planned for the three day coaches clinic which begins on Thursday evening and concludes at noon on Saturday Hall of Fame Inductees ANDY OWEN - Snider High School Andy Owen spent 28 years coaching high school baseball in Ft. Wayne. A graduate of Ft. Wayne Concordia HS and Indiana University, he began his coaching career in 1984 as an assistant coach at Ft. Wayne Elmhurst HS. In 1987, he became an assistant coach at Ft. Wayne Snider HS and went on to assume the head coaching duties in Coach Owen led the Panthers program thru the 2011 season and won 359 games during his tenure. His championships included 5 sectionals, 2 regionals, 2 semistates, and 2 state titles. His ball club won 8 conference crowns and he was awarded state coach of the year honors during that time period. In addition to coaching at the high school level, Andy worked in the Fort Wayne summer Wildcat League for over 10 years. He has served on the IHSBCA Poll Panel and was an active ABCA member. Bill Jones Tribute I.H.S.B.C.A. DATES IHSBCA State Clinic - January Hall of Fame Induction - January 22nd First Official Practice - March 14th First Official Game - March 28th State Tourney Starts May 25th in 2016 State Finals June 17th & 18th 2016 North/South All- Series at Whiting on July 9th and 10th Again this year, the IHSAA rules meeting will be held on Saturday morning prior to the conclusion of the clinic for coaches wanting to take advantage of that opportunity. The IHSBCA State Clinic committee is busy making final preparations for the annual event. Westfield H.S. Head Coach Ryan Bunnell is working on lining up a great group of presenters for this years clinic. Some of those confirmed to present are: Mike Roberts - consultant for Chicago Cubs and former U. of North Carolina coach, Dave Serrano - U. of Tennessee head coach, Spencer Allen - Northwestern U. head coach, Kyle Cheeseborough - asst. coach Indiana U., Skylar Meade - asst. coach Michigan State U., and Rich Benjamin - head coach Indiana Wesleyan U. As we did last year, the four State Champion Coaches will also present on Friday. Hall of Fame Inductees Continued on Page state clinic update As the last couple of speakers are confirmed and topics for the sessions are finalized, the agenda for the clinic will be available on our website and should be posted by the end of the month.

2 Page 2 INDIANA H.S.BASEBALL NEWS Volume XXXXIII ISSUE hall of fame inductees continued BRIAN KUESTER - South Spencer High School Brian Kuester has coached the South Spencer Rebels for 18 seasons and compiled a record during that time. He has won 8 Pocket Athletic Conference championships, 7 sectional titles, 4 regional championships, 4 semi-state crowns, and 4 state championships (2007, 2011, 2013, and 2015). Twice he has been named a South All Star coach for the annual IHSBCA North South series. In addition to coaching at the high school level, Coach Kuester has also been involved in legion baseball where he has been a part of 2 state championship teams in 1989 with the Boonville American Legion and in 1995 with the Eugene Pate American Legion. MARK RIGGINS - Loogoottee High School Mark Riggins is a 1975 graduate of Loogootee High School where he was a member of the state runner-up basketball team and a South All-Star in baseball. During that time he received all conference honors for 3 years as a pitcher. He is a 1979 graduate of Murray State University where he obtained a degree in agricultural business. In August 1979, he was signed as an undrafted free agent and played five seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization reaching the AAA level. Mark is currently in his 5 th season with the Cincinnati Reds organization and was recently named the big league pitching coach for the 2016 season. He also held the same role with the St. Louis Cardinals club in 1995 and the Chicago Cubs in His main role with the Reds, Cubs ( ), and the Cardinals ( ) was in player development as a minor league pitching coordinator. While a member of the Cardinals organization, he was the recipient of the George Kissell award for excellence and achievement in player development. GRIER WERNER - Bloomington South High School Coach Werner is a graduate of Taylor Allderdice HS in Pittsburgh, PA. Grier then transitioned to Penn State University where he played baseball for 4 years and participated in the 1963 College World Series. Upon graduating from PSU in 1964, he then went to Indiana University to work on his master's degree in HPER, which he received in Grier began teaching in the Bloomington school system in the fall of 1965 and spent a total of 43 years in education. He was an asst. coach at IU from and then became the head coach at Bloomington South HS in He spent 28 years in the head-coaching role and amassed 419 wins; won 7 sectional titles; 2 regionals championships; and 4 conference rings. He was IHSBCA president in addition to serving in many association roles and being named district coach of the year. RAY OYLER - Indianapolis Cathedral High School Ray Oyler lettered in baseball and basketball at Indianapolis Cathedral High School and quarterbacked the football squad to a city title. He signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1960 after four years in the Marine Corps. Ray joined the Tigers in 1965 and in 1968 Detroit won the American League pennant with Oyler batting.135 as their primary shortstop. Detroit won the 1968 World Series with Oyler seeing action in four contests as a late-inning defensive replacement at shortstop. The Seattle Pilots, an expansion club, drafted Oyler prior to the 1969 season. He batted.165 in 106 games that season. In December 1969 Oyler went to the Oakland Athletics in a four-player trade. In April 1970 Oakland dealt him to the California Angels, his final big league stop. Upon settling in Redmond, Washington, Oyler worked for the Boeing Corporation and for Safeway Corporation. He suffered a fatal heart attack at age 43. Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association 2340 Guilford Street Huntington, IN Phone: babbott@ctlnet.com IHSBCA website: COACHES Follow us on Twitter We will post announcements throughout the year on Twitter to alert you to items that are of importance such as All-State nomination dates, poll dates, and other information. Sign up on Twitter and then look for us

3 December 2015 INDIANA H.S. BASEBALL NEWS Page 3 AROUND THE HORN 2016 BASEBALL CLINICS 2016 ABCA CONVENTION - NASHVILLE, TN JAN. 7 - JAN. 10 World Center Marriott 30+ clinic speakers, 300+ exhibitors For more info visit their website at; or call OHSBCA CLINIC - COLUMBUS, OH JAN JAN. 23 Hyatt Regency Hotel For more info visit their website at; ihsbca 2016 committee appointments The following committees have been appointed by Executive Assistant Phil McIntyre. If your name is listed, please contact Phil (pmcintyre@msdwt.k12.in.us) by January 20th to accept the position. Academic All-State Selection Richard Hurt-Bloomington North(CH) Todd Farr-Eastbrook Assistant COTY( ) Brian Dudley-Wapahani(CH) Andy Gossel-Covenant Christian All-State Selection Brian Abbott-Huntington North(CH) *Done on-line* Hall of Fame Screening Chris McIntyre-New Albany(CH) Dennis Kas-Retired Bob Shinkan-Munster Andy McClain-Norwell Dave Gandolph-Indpls. Scecina Brian Kirchoff-Northeast Dubois Outstanding Media Awards Erik Hisner-Whitko(CH) Mike Larrabee-Yorktown Record Book Updates Scott Hughes-Shelbyville(CH) Shane Edwards-Oak Hill Zephyr is again donating a set of 72 hats that will be lettered for your program. Please take time during the clinic to stop by their table and thank them for their continued sponsorship of the IHSBCA. The IHSBCA will be raffling off the Zephyr hats as well as other prizes at the clinic. A list of additional prizes for the raffle will be available at the clinic. Raffle tickets will be $5 for one or $10 for three. North All-Star Selection Shane Edwards-Oak Hill(CH) Bob Shinkan-Munster Brian Abbott-Hunt. North Kevin Hannon-Knox Jason Garrett-F.W. Dwenger Dave Neuenschwander-Adams Central Kris Holtzleiter-Southwood Pat McMahon-F.W. Canterbury Tom Bennett-Faith Christian Top 10 Panel Poll Members 1A Jerry Schoen-Hauser Brian Kirchoff-Northeast Dubois Tom Bennett-Faith Christian Blake Mollenkopf-Caston Ryan Kruska-S. Central(Union Mills) Joe Rademacher-Retired South All-Star Selection Scott Hughes-Shelbyville(CH) Mike Goedde-Evansville Central Ben McDaniel-Columbus North Jeremy Sassanella-Brebeuf Jay Malott-South Dearborn Bob Kyle-Rockville Tim Terry-South Vermillion Eric Stotts-Borden Dick Alter-Indpls Lutheran Top 10 Panel Poll Members - 2A Tim Bordenet-Central Catholic Justin Bock-Fremont Chad Combs-Switzerland County Kyle Neal-North Newton Brian Kuester-South Spencer George Phares-Retired Games Wanted This has traditionally been a popular spot on our website. With that said, we would encourage coaches to again utilize this feature on our website now that it has been redesigned. We will also have a white board available in the main hallway of the clinic for coaches to post open dates and games wanted. Coaches, please post your games needed and contact information so other coaches can get in touch with you. Top 10 Panel Poll Members 3A Robert Jones-Edgewood Scott Sargent-Connersville Brian Jennings-Griffith Mike Larrabee-Yorktown Tony Windle-Franklin County Kelby Weybright-Retired 2016 IHSBCA State Clinic Scott Hughes-Shelbyville(CH) Mark Grove Retired (Co-CH) Terry McManama-Retired (Co-CH) Ryan Bunnell-Westfield-Speakers Blake Mollenkopf-Caston-FCA Breakfast Shawn Lyons-New Palestine-College Displays Jeff McKeon-Plainfield-Exhibitors Philip Webb-N. Central(Asst.)-Exhibitors Asst. Gary O Neal-Retired-HOF Banquet Andy McClain-Norwell-Emcee George Phares-Retired-Registration Top 10 Poll Panel Members 4A Matt Cherry-Fishers Jeremy Richey-Seymour Jon Gratz-Columbus East Steve Strayer-Crown Point Dave Ginder-F.W. Carroll Don Sherman-Retired This is the last newsletter for Members!

4 Page 4 INDIANA H.S. BASEBALL NEWS Volume XXXXIII ISSUE 2 Event: IHSBCA State Clinic Date: January 21 23, 2016 Location: Sheraton at Keystone at the Crossing 8787 Keystone Crossing Indianapolis, IN (desk) (fax) Registration Link: Rate: Deadline: $109 (standard room) plus 17% applicable taxes Clinic rooms MUST be reserved by 1/12/2016 for clinic rate (Detach and mail to: Brian Abbott; 2340 Guilford St; Huntington, IN 46750) IHSBCA STATE CLINIC REGISTRATION FORM Deadline: Saturday January 16, 2016 Each coach attending must complete a separate registration form. The cost is $80 for the head coach and $75 for each assistant coach ($70 for each assistant coach that is the 5 th, 6 th, 7 th, or 8th paid member of the staff attending). Hall of Fame coaches can register at a rate of $50. Each registration includes a HOF banquet ticket and the clinic sessions. Extra banquet tickets are available in advance at a rate of $45 each. IHSBCA membership is required to attend the clinic and it is $35 for each coach. membership is required to attend the clinic and it is $35 for each coach. After January 16, 2016 add $10 for a late registration fee. $10 for processing in the event of returned registration fees. $25 charge will be assessed on any check returned to the IHSBCA.

5 December 2015 INDIANA H.S. BASEBALL NEWS Page 5 CENTRAL QUAD TO ELECT VICE-PRESIDENT The membership of the CENTRAL Quad (Districts I, J, K, & L) will nominate candidates for VP at the district meetings to be held at the State Clinic. The newly elected VP will become the IHSBCA president in COACHES: The Central Quad VP and Board of Director representative will be elected at the state clinic during the district meetings. Please plan on attending your district meeting during the clinic so that your voice can be heard. CENTRAL QUAD BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Central Quad (Districts I, J, K, and L) will select a candidate to serve on the Board of Directors of the IHSBCA. The candidate will begin serving at the State Finals in June of 2016 and serve on the board until the State Finals of the 2020 season. Candidates Current Board of Directors Tim Bordenet Jake Burton (term ends in 2016) Phil McIntyre Jim Hughes (term ends in 2017) Al Rabe (term ends in 2018) Scott Upp (term ends in 2019) Coaches in Districts I, J, K, & L please submit your vote to Brian Abbott by January 4th Guilford Street Huntington, IN Fax: babbott@ctlnet.com junior showcase procedure Every year we get inquiries about getting players for the July Junior Showcase. This is an attempt to make the process understandable to all coaches. The procedure for getting invitees will be as follows; 1. In March, we will contact every college program in Indiana and all scouts who cover the state, asking for the names of players and their school they would like to see invited to the showcase. 2. In April, we will send a letter of invitation to those players who are mentioned most often, to attend the showcase. The players must respond by May the 1st if they are going to attend and send in an information form along with a $50.00 check. 3. If we have not reached our goal of 75 participants by May the 10th, we will then move to our alternates list and invite players by the following positions; pitchers, catchers, middle infielders, outfielders, and corner infielders. The alternates list will be created by offering coaches who attend the STATE CLINIC the opportunity to submit one player s name for the alternates list. PASSWORD SOURCE Passwords will no longer be issued at the state clinic. Instead, passwords will be available on the IHSBCA website. Passwords are necessary to submit team and game information. ihsbca line-up cards Line-up cards will again be available at the clinic in the lobby area near the registration table. Cost is $10 per pack of 40 line-up cards. You save $5.00 postage per packet if they are purchased at the clinic. INSURANCE BOOKMARK Each member coach can print off insurance information from our website when they join the coaches association for It outlines all the coverage you receive with your annual IHSBCA dues. This coverage is also good if you give baseball lessons.

6 Page 6 INDIANA H.S. BASEBALL NEWS Volume XXXXIII ISSUE 2 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE AND STATE CLINIC FORMAT My update would be amiss if I did not start it off with thoughts about Bill Jones. Many of you know by now that he passed away on November 2. Anytime someone of great stature or presence leaves this earth there is a void to fill. Bill was a pioneer for the IHSBCA and baseball in general. Many people have shared thoughts that are posted in this newsletter so I won t try to summarize them, but rather let you reflect on what has been said. Personally, I have always known Bill as a baseball guy. I never coached against him or played against / for him, but I have heard many stories about those endeavors. My experiences with Bill are more that of a mentor / mentee. He took me under his wing a long time ago and was training me to lead this organization and I did not even know it. He was patient and kind when I could not see the obvious; he was a calming voice when there appeared to be no reason for what was happening; and he added perspective and wisdom that only comes from experience. The other day I had a question and was standing in the living room and my wife said, What are you doing? I replied, I need to call Bill and ask what he would do in this situation. I couldn t call him, but his presence was there and I was able to move on. I find myself sensing the void that all of us feel and realizing that we can t replace what he has done for us. The only way to truly honor a legend is to carry on what they started; leave it better than you found it; and give it to the next generation. He will be missed! We make a final presentation to the IHSAA on December 11 in regards to the proposals listed below, but our initial meeting with the IIAAA did not serve us well. They do not see the need for more access to our athletes and we will have to continue that dialogue. My hope is that we can start to have productive conversations outside of the proposal process about additional issues such as seeding, more games, longer season, tournament sites, etc. Proposals: Amend the participation rule as follows the coaching staff may offer instruction and work directly with a maximum of two (2) athletes at a time with a maximum number of 3 coaches working with 2 athletes at a time (this would mean a total of six athletes maximum can be receiving instruction from 3 coaches maximum in a 2:1 ratio AT one time); and. No sectional tournament bracket shall be setup to create a competitive advantage for a particular team(s) through the blind draw format. Currently, a team in a 5 or 7 team sectional can draw a play-in game and then have to face the bye team with the bye team s #1 pitcher and the winner of the play-in game will have to use their #2 pitcher. Make all sectionals have an even number of teams, if possible. The goal would be 6 team sectionals, but 4 team and 8 team sectionals might be necessary due to logistics. Brian ASSISTANT COACH AWARDS Head Coaches help us recognize your assistants for all their dedication and years of service. If you have an assistant coach who is in his th year of coaching, please send the coaches name and years of service to Coach Dudley so that we can recognize him at the State Clinic in January. Brian Dudley Wapahani H.S East CR 167 S. Selma, IN bdudley@libertyperry.org 2016 Eric Wedge Baseball Camps Former MLB manager Eric Wedge who played at Ft. Wayne Northrop will return to Ft. Wayne to host his annual camp on Saturday, February the 7th at the World Baseball Academy. The Camp includes an Elementary Skills Camp, Hitting Camp for 6th-9th graders, and a High School Showcase for 10th-12th graders. For more information visit their website at: or by contact Andy McManama at or by ing him at: andy@worldbaseballacademy.com

7 Page 7 INDIANA H.S.BASEBALL NEWS Volume XXXXIII ISSUE 2 tribute to bill jones William Kent "Coach" Jones, age 78, of Auburn died Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at his Auburn home. Coach Jones was born Jan. 20, 1937 in Ohio City, Ohio, to William Paul and Regina (High) Jones. He married Mildred Marie Perry on March 11, 1961, in Scott, Ohio. She survives in Auburn. Coach Jones was both a teacher and baseball coach for 39 years. He taught and coached in Vaughsville, Ohio, for 2 years, Hicksville High School for 8 years, and DeKalb High School for 27 years where his team won the Indiana baseball state championship in He finished his career in education spending 2 years at Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne. He was a founding member of the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association from 1971 to He was selected as the National Coach of the Year by NHSACA in 1981 and was inducted into the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in He served as an Auburn City Councilman during the late 1980s and was a member of the Auburn United Methodist Church and the Auburn Lions Club. He also scouted for the Detroit Tigers from 1999 until Survivors include his wife, Mildred Jones of Auburn; a daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Pat Menzie of Fort Wayne; two sons and daughters-in-law, Brad and Stacie Jones of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Ken and Jennifer Jones of Huntertown; five grandchildren, Chris and Erica Menzie of Tampa, Florida, Amanda Menzie of Fort Wayne, Tyler Jones of Bellefontaine, Ohio, Madison Jones of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and Hayden Jones of Huntertown; a brother, Dick Jones of Horton, Michigan; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Richard and Diane Perry of Convoy, Ohio; and his beloved cat, Snooks. Words/Thoughts on Coach Jones Scott Upp (current LaPorte coach): The gate keeper of the IHS- BCA. That was always my thought of him each and every time I saw him. Bill reminded me of a bulldog that would walk back and forth in front of the house porch protecting the door. But in his case he was the bulldog that would protect, supervise, and ensure that our Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association was doing what was "right". Bill, along with the founders of our association and many other along the way, have set the foundation and the tone for us current guys to continue to do what is right. Gary Rogers (current Bishop Luers coach): I have had many baseball conversations with Bill, like all of us. One of my first memories of Bill was early in my coaching career and I remember that Bill seemed to know who every good player was in the state. I had a pretty good player in 1988 who was on the North All-Star team played at Ball State. After the game ended, Bill found me and said he had overlooked my kid and he would make some contacts to college coaches on his behalf. Words/Thoughts on Coach Jones Kelby Weybright (retired Norwell coach): I had the great opportunity to get to know Coach Jones during my time coaching at Norwell H.S. and serving the IHSBCA on the Executive Council. I remember my first year as head coach in 2002 when my starting second baseman was taking hitting lessons with Coach Jones and he came back one day during our conditioning and told me that Coach Jones wanted him to tell me congratulations on getting the head coaching position. I was really proud to have someone like Coach say that to one of my players. My second baseman then told me that Coach Jones told him that with the talent we had we should win the State Title and if we didn't it could be because of my inexperience. Always spoke his mind and I grew to appreciate that with Coach Jones. During the time that I served on the Executive Council I got to know Coach Jones on a more personal level and quickly realized that I was working with a man who was totally committed to high school baseball and the development of players in Indiana. I learned what it meant to lead the association from our many conversations in person and on the phone. Coach Jones was there to promote this great game at the high school level at its onset and was a fixture for so many years. He was one of a kind and I'm sure he is back in the third base box upstairs. Thank you for all your contributions and may you rest in peace Coach Jones. Dennis Kas (retired Noblesville coach): In 1982 I was in my 1st year as varsity baseball coach at Clinton Prairie. I attended my first state clinic which was being held at the old Speedway Motel. I knew absolutely no one it seemed, but at a break during the sessions Bill went out of his way to make this young coach feel welcome. That was a special moment for me, and it led to a friendship over the years that I will always cherish. Don Sherman (retired Huntington North coach): Every year on our fall trips to AZ or FL, we would always tell the restaurant where we were eating that it was Bill s birthday. He would get sung to or get a free dessert. One year coming back from a trip we forgot to give him a birthday wish. We told the pilot that a named Bill Jones was aboard and to have everyone aboard wish him a happy birthday. He was overwhelmed. Lot s of laughs on that airplane. He was a great coach but a greater person. He was the rock of the association and will be missed. Al Rabe (Jeffersonville and Scottsburg coach): I remember back in the 1980's Bill Jones used to organize a fall baseball trip to Major League Baseball winter instructional league. We would spend 5 days in either Florida or Arizona going to major league baseball camps talking to their instructors. We would also go to a college during our trip. He organized everything: plane fare, rental car, hotel rooms, and teams to visit. As a young coach, it was a tremendous learning experience and a great time was had by all. Tim Nonte (retired Loogootee and Princeton coach): Bill was a friendly outgoing personality who always had time for a question about the association, baseball or things in general. From 1971 (my first year in baseball) until 2012 he was the guiding light of the IHSBCA. He will be missed especially around clinic time. My condolences to all of us.

8 Page 8 INDIANA H.S.BASEBALL NEWS Volume XXXXIII ISSUE 2 tribute to bill jones (cont.) Words/Thoughts on Coach Jones Jake Burton (retired McCutcheon coach): My first encounter with Bill Jones was around 1979 at the Speedway Hotel where we used to have the IHSBCA State Clinic. At the registration table he addressed me as Jack Burton. I corrected him, but Bill continued to call me Jack while at the clinic. The last day of the clinic I saw him again in the lobby as I was leaving and he said See ya Jack. I said Yeah I'll see ya Barnaby. Bill said My name is Bill, Barnaby is the TV detective. and I replied Well I don't know who the hell Jack Burton is, but my name is Jake. We laughed and became great friends there after. At the 2002 All Star game Junior Showcase I had two pitchers attend who both registered 90+ on the radar gun. Clayton Richard was with the Bulls Travel team that day and so Bill knew we had three good arms. At the IHSBCA Clinic in January he announced that if I didn't win the state with this team I should be fired. After we won the state championship game the first thing I told Bill was I've got $1000 to put on who you think will win it next year? Great man who made it happen for so many of us.. will never be forgotten!!! Matt Brumbaugh (current Northrop coach): It was an absolute honor to compete against Coach Jones not only as a player but a coach as well. His teams were always well prepared and were tough minded. When I was a senior at Northrop, Bill sent letters out to college coaches on my behalf. I thought wow this guy went out of his way to contact college coaches to help me get to the next level in my baseball career. He was concerned not only for his players but opposing players in our area. Bill's impact on high school baseball goes unmeasured. He was a great ambassador for Indiana High School Baseball. Ken Seitz (retired Hamilton Southeastern coach): Bill seemed bigger than life to me as a young coach just getting started in the IHSBCA. As I became more active in the association I learned how really big he was in making the IHSBCA a great avenue to bring huge things to high school baseball in our state. He was a tireless worker and a friend to all associated with Indiana baseball. It was a privilege to serve two terms on the IHSBCA Executive Board with Bill - he was a great mentor all those of us he touched as we worked along side of him to further the betterment of high school baseball across Indiana. Jim Hughes (retired Brookville and Franklin Co. coach): The first time I met Bill Jones was in 1970 at the IHSBCA clinic in Indianapolis. That was my first year coaching varsity baseball team at Brookville. At that meeting I thought it was one of the best baseball fundamental clinic that I had ever seen. Bill was the main individual in charge of the clinic. Bill not only set high standards for the State of Indiana baseball; but, high standards throughout the surrounding states. Other states looked at our association for guidelines. That was because of Bill s leadership. I enjoyed working on many committees with Bill including serving as state president in Bill helped lead me through the many questions I had on knowing what to do. Bill Jones will always be remembered as the main individual who rant the IHSBCA. Bill was in the forefront of the N-S All Star Series, helped in forming Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in Jasper with Ray Howard. Just those two events projected the great growth of baseball in Indiana. Comments on It is with a tremendous heavy heart to hear of the passing of legendary coach and former IHSBCA executive director Bill Coach Jones is the reason I got the head coaching job at Oak I absolutely loved playing for Coach Former Dekalb and Canterbury coach. Led Barons to state title in Indiana HS Baseball loses one of the greatest contributors to our sport. IHSBCA wouldn t be where it is today w/out A 45-year member of the ABCA & legend at the high school Bill Jones has always been a great example for young coaches. He will be missed by #RIP to this amazing Bill Jones was a great coach, mentor, and friend. Indiana baseball will miss him. Saddened to hear about the passing of legendary Coach Bill Jones. Coach Jones was a tremendous asset to Indiana HS baseball Many fond memories of the legendary former Dekalb baseball coach Bill Jones, we ve lost a great one in his great teacher of the game... former Dekalb HS coach. I learned so much from this man. God Bless Family. Thoughts & prayers 2 Ken, Hayden, & entire Jones family on passing of Bill. Heaven got a great coach, scout, & Coach s leadership ushered in a golden era in Indiana HS baseball. A legacy of passion & excellence Great man that did a great deal to advance amateur baseball in Indiana. We will continue your work. So glad I had the pleasure of knowing Bill, willing to help the kids become young men on and off the field. We would like to send our condolences to the family of Bill Jones pioneer in Indiana HS baseball. will not be the same without you.