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Sunday, May 17, 2015 | BataviasBest.org

The route that one takes to becoming a Varsity head coach typically begins in unique fashion. For Lyndonville’s Shane Price, whose coaching career started as a result of a broken hand during his Senior high school baseball season, the beginning of his journey was as unique as they come.

During his Senior year, Price took a pitch off the hand while at bat and shortly after it was discovered the hand which was hit, was indeed broken. However, being the competitor that he is, the injury was not enough to keep him from the field and from helping his teammates. Price quickly moved on from the unfortunate circumstance and suddenly found himself coaching third base – relaying signs to his teammates in the batters box and on the base paths.

Long since removed from his playing days, now 14 years after accepting a job as the Lyndonville Varsity baseball coach, Price still views his opportunity as one of a kind.

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Shane Price

Lyndonville Baseball – 14 years as head coach

Favorite thing about High School Sports: “A lot of times we get kids as freshmen or sophomores and get to see players grow both physically and mentally. As underclassmen, the game is faster than what they are used to – the players from other teams are bigger, faster and stronger. The growth you witness over the three or four years is tremendous. They go from being boys to men ready to take their place in society. I always look forward when they return to see what they have been up to.”

AB: It’s been a solid year for you guys. What has been the driving force behind your success so far?

SP: “I truly believe that success breeds success. Back to the days of Arnold Hartsen and John Hayes, the baseball program has always been strong here in Lyndonville. Mr. Hartsen won five titles and over 300 games during his tenure (as head coach) and Mr. Hayes added an additional 4 sectional titles and 8 league championships as well as 325 wins. A huge part of our success this season can be attributed to Mark Hughes having been the JV coach for 40 years and the assistant varsity coach for 43.  He has taught me and all the kids he has coached a lot about the game and life. Couple that with the support from the community as a number of past players currently serve as little league coaches or summer ball coaches. I believe the boys are taught right from the time they are young so it makes our job a whole lot easier when we get them on the Varsity.“

AB: What is the best part of being able to coach at Lyndonville, not just in a successful year such as this one, but any year? In other words, what makes it special?

SP: “Lyndonville is a great place to be and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.  Nineteen years ago I came here straight out of college and the community won me over. The people of Lyndonville are hard working and have a strong work ethic and they love their baseball. That support is shown every time a title is won, with a parade with the fire trucks.  It truly is a site to see and reminds me how special this small town is.” 

AB: How did you become interested in coaching? What sparked your thirst to teach kids the game?

SP: “During my senior year of high school I broke my hand taking a pitch, and  from that point on I knew I had to find another way to help out my team. I became our full-time third base coach. Later on in the year my high school coach Ory Mee had a chance to go and watch his son Cory play in the regional finals for Notre-Dame (the college). He had me work with the JV coach and relay signs from the dugout. I was hooked from the moment I called for my sacrifice bunt to third and it was executed perfectly. I owe a lot to Coach Mee from seventh grade on and to this day we still converse. He has taught me a lot about the game and life.“

AB: Has coaching been everything you thought it would be?

SP: “It definitely has been everything I thought it would be and a whole lot more.  From the highest of highs – winning two Sectional Titles – to the lowest of lows – losing in the Finals the first two times we got there. You are always faced with adversity and teachable moments (as a coach), moments that we can learn from and grow from.”

AB: In the beginning, what were goals you set for yourself as a young coach?

SP: “As a young coach all I wanted to do was win a League Title or Sectional Title.  I will admit it consumed me. One year would end and I would start thinking about the next season.”

AB: Have you accomplished those goals set for yourself early-on? If so, what else do you feel you would like to accomplish as a coach or as a program going forward?

SP: “We have won two Sectional Titles and four League Titles in my fourteen years so my goals have changed. I always want the next title for the next group of boys and that will never change. However, I think I used to think more about what the titles meant to me, now I think about what it means to the boys. We make memories for a lot of kids. Memories that they can come back and show their wives and kids. As Mark (Hughes) always told me – you will never forget being lead through town by the fire trucks – and he is right. (Beyond what we have already accomplished) I still believe there are more milestones to reach. A state title would be icing on the cake, two hundred career wins and then three hundred is a personal goal. I think it would be the first time that three coaches at one school reached that mark.“

AB: What makes a successful coach – from your perspective? 

SP: “I believe in always setting the bar high and working hard to reach your goals. I have a strong support system at home and a lot of people help out so we can accomplish what we have.  Couple that with a great community who truly loves the game, great little league and summer ball coaches, and you should achieve some level of success.”

AB: Do you feel this year’s bunch has responded to your style of coaching? 

SP: “I have had a big group of the boys on Varsity for the past three years and they have responded to my style of coaching. While I can be hard to deal with, I believe they know that I do care and want them to play the way I know they are capable of.”

AB: Finally, what will be most-important for this year’s team to focus on going forward – approaching the postseason?

SP: “We need to focus in and take it one pitch, one out, one inning at a time.“

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On Tuesday, the Tigers’ quest for their third Sectional Title under Price’s watch will begin.

Start the fire trucks.

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