First Last
SPRINGFIELD — Andy Fitzwater didn’t believe it when he got the call.
An assistant coach in the Miami Valley Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame? That’s not how it works. No assistant coach had ever gotten the nod.
Fitzwater, 70, is entering his 26th season as an assistant baseball coach at Kenton Ridge. Former head coach Tom Randall always said, when trying to spread the credit for his success, “You win with people,” and Fitzwater is one of those people, maybe the most important after Randall.
So it might have surprised Fitzwater when he was inducted on Sunday, March 7, but not those who know him and his passion for the game.
“I love Kenton Ridge baseball,” said Fitzwater on Wednesday, as the Cougars prepared for the upcoming season. “This is my family. These are the people I love.”
Sunday’s ceremony had extra meaning to it because Fitzwater was inducted with his late twin brother, Amos, who passed away in 2003. Amos and Andy started umpiring together around the time they graduated from Springfield High School in 1959.
Amos kept umpiring until 1994, while Andy joined Tom Randall’s staff in 1985.
“We had good chemistry,” Andy said. “Everyone knew when you had Amos and Andy, first, you’re going to get a good game, and second, it’s going to be entertaining.”
Amos threw Andy out of a game once after Andy joined the Cougars. Otherwise, he has been a fixture in the first-base coach’s box for 26 seasons, helping lead the team to three state final fours.
Andy thanked current head coach Aaron Shaffer for keeping him on when he took over for Randall in 2008. Even though the players now joke with Andy, asking if he’s going back to the old folks’ home after practice, don’t expect him to go anywhere anytime soon. His 11-year-old grandson hopes to be playing for the Cougars in a few years.
“I enjoy keeping the kids up, motivating them, talking to them, telling them a joke once in a while,” Andy said.
A number of local coaches and umpires have been inducted into the MVBCA Hall of Fame over the years: Flip Lucas (2008); Southeastern’s Rick Woods (2007); Robert Mitchell (2007); North’s Mark Stoll (2005); Shawnee’s Gary Flora (2004); Bob Pyle (1999); Randall (1998); Urbana’s Bob Brenning (1992); Graham’s Donzil Hall (1991); and North’s Don Henderson (1984).
Contact this
reporter
at (937) 328-0351 or djablonski@coxohio.com.
About the Author
