Burba’s recommendation couldn’t have hurt. On Thursday, June 17, Beals was introduced as Ohio State’s new head coach. Now Burba hopes Beals considers him for a job on Ohio State’s staff.
“I’ve been trying to get back in the game somehow,” Burba said. “This would be an opportunity. Of course, Greg might not even want me.”
Beals, a 1988 KR grad, has never forgotten his roots. He grew up in Springfield and was always around the game because of his late dad, Keith, and his brother Brad.
“My first memories are of playing at Snyder Park and playing in the City Rec league,” Beals said. “Actually, before that, I was playing at Lagonda. My dad somehow got me in the 9- or 10-year-old league. I was 7. Coach Gibson, the Glass brothers’ grandfather, was my coach. Halley’s Trucking was the name of that team.”
Keith Beals died when Greg was a junior at Kenton Ridge, so his baseball family became even more important. Longtime head coach Tom Randall, in particular, left a mark on Greg.
“Coach Randall was instrumental in keeping me in line and doing what I was supposed to do,” Greg said in 2007 before Randall’s final season. “He started out as a coach, and now he’s my closest friend.”
Randall was one of the first people Greg called Wednesday after being told he had the job. He didn’t get a hold of him right away, but Randall’s wife Peg relayed the news.
“I’m just elated,” Randall said. “Greg has been very close to me, almost like a third son. I’ve followed his career. He’s done well, and he’s hungry. I just wish him all the best. When he told me, I just wanted to scream and yell, but actually, I started crying.”
One of Randall’s assistants, Scott Zerkle, a 1984 KR grad like Burba and Brad Beals, represented the current KR coaches at Thursday’s press conference.
“I’ve said for many years, Greg is easily the best athlete to ever come through Kenton Ridge,” Zerkle said. “From Tiddlywinks to lawn jarts, you’d want nobody else on your team. Athletically, competitively, he’s got it all.”
Beals developed his athleticism and competitive spirit, which he also displayed at Kent State and in three years of minor league baseball, at least in part because he was often competing against his brother and his brother’s friends.
“It didn’t take him long to keep up,” Brad said. “He was always very accelerated. It may sound trite, but it really is true: he worked his tail off, too. There’s no many people who take a tee and a bucket of balls and go up to the local baseball field and hit by themselves, and he would do it.”
That hard work continues, but Randall said communication is one of Beals’ best coaching attributes.
“He definitely knows the game,” Randall said. “He has enthusiasm and wants to succeed. Everyone knows there’s going to be days the ball doesn’t roll your way, but he’s one of those guys who will fight you to the end. He’s been able to present that image to the young men who have played for him.”
About the Author
