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Minford baseball coach Tim Martin is entering is 20th and final season with the Falcons. Though he’ll be retiring soon to concentrate on his scouting career with the Boston Red Sox, the four-time SOC coach of the year isn’t leaving empty handed.
Martin has been named to the Southeast District Coaches Hall of Fame. The award will be presented at the District All-Star game in June.
“You hope to be recognized one day but it’s surprising that it happened now,” Martin said. “It’s a tribute to all of the coaches and the players that I’ve had in the past. A head coach is only as good as his assistant coaches; it’s a fact. When you have good assistant coaches, it takes the burden off of you because you don’t have to do it all. It makes things a lot easier.
“I’ve also been blessed with the players that I’ve had. I’ve coached some very good players from 1996 until now. Over forty players have went on to play college baseball. I’ve been pretty fortunate out here at Minford.”
Martin has been recognized by his peers for his achievements.
“He’s dedicated himself to the Minford program for 20 years,” Valley head baseball coach Dean Schuler said. “He’s established a successful program. He’s worked hard at promoting that program as well as helping other kids in the area with baseball. It’s a great opportunity for him to achieve that.”
During his 20-year reign, Martin has guided the Falcons to 12 20-win seasons. Minford has also been ranked in the top 10 in the state three times and in the top 20 five times during that span.
The four-time district coach of the year gives all of the credit to his players.
“It’s a tribute to the players that have went through this school system out here,” Martin said. “It’s been fun. It’s been a good ride. Now there’s other things I want to do and other goals I want to set.”
Aside from dedicating himself to Falcon players, Martin is known for his dedication to area athletes.
“I think it’s very well deserving,” said Brent Daniels, Minford head football and assistant baseball coach. “He’s helped a lot of kids in our area, not just our school, but our area. He goes above and beyond to get these kids in Scioto County a chance to play at the next level. I think that’s one of his greatest assets.”
Now that he’s taking on more responsibility as a scout, Martin is ready to begin the next chapter of his life but he’ll never stop helping Scioto County athletes.
“I’m still going to help the kids in the area, that’s never going to change,” Martin said. “I’m not moving. It’s just another job opportunity that I have and I feel like it’s a new challenge for me. You’ve got to challenge yourself all the time.”
After the retires, Martin wants to spend time with his granddaughters — when he’s not on the road scouting for the big-league club.
“When I’m on the road all the time and come back home, I don’t want to go to the baseball field all the time when I can spend time with them,” Martin said.
Chris Slone can be reached at 353-3101, ext 1930, or on Twitter @crslone.