CHILLICOTHE — What seemed to be the sequel to the 1993 movie “Dazed and Confused,” Barry Litteral found himself dazed, confused, surprised and then elated.
All those emotions surrounded the Rock Hill Redmen veteran baseball coach as he sat in the spring Southeast District Baseball Coaches meeting and listened to nominations for their association’s Hall of Fame and then saw the voting results.
He was nominated, voted in and honored.
“I was somewhat surprised. They did it right there in the meeting,” said Litteral. “They went online and voted and you were told within five minutes. It was a whirlwind.”
Even though the process was quick, Litteral was caught off-guard and it was an emotional moment for him.
“I was pleasantly surprised, humbled. There’s a lot of years there and you know you’ve got the other coaches’ respect when you get this award because not everybody gets it. It was an honor. I was honored that other coaches knew about our program and what we have done there,” said Litteral.
Litteral got his plaque during Hall of Fame induction ceremonies at the Southeast District All-Star Game on Monday at Veterans’ Stadium.
Litteral has been the head coach at Rock Hill for 24 seasons plus he was the head coach at Portsmouth Notre Dame for three seasons.
Rock Hill has won five Ohio Valley Conference titles with four coming under Litteral’s guidance. The Redmen have won eight sectional titles — four with Litteral at the helm — they have been runners-up in the district three times, twice under Litteral.
A 15-9 win over the Coal Grove Hornets on April 17, 2023, proved to be Litteral’s milestone career victory No. 300.
The Hall of Fame award is obviously one of Litteral’s biggest personal accomplishments but he tends to think all of his success is due to the combined efforts of his assistant coaches and more importantly the players.
“It’s up there as far as my career goes. The 300 wins are probably at the top because that’s a team thing and it takes all those kids I’ve ever coached to get there,” said Litteral.
“To me, the Hall of Fame is just something that came out of what the kids have done for me and my coaching staff. It just goes to show you the accomplishment Rock Hill has done. We established a program and it works and this is a testament to it. That’s the way I feel about it.”
Litteral thanked his assistant coaches throughout the years that included Kenny Patrick, Andy Clark, Lonnie Griffith, Austin Kidd and his long-time right-hand assistant Jerry Kidd.
“Jerry’s been here the longest. We wouldn’t be where we’re without those coaches because it takes everybody.,” said Litteral.
Even though the Hall of Fame announcement was in March, Litteral said the reality of the accomplishment hasn’t hit home just yet.
“It’s not going to change me, but it hasn’t sunk in just yet,” said Litteral.
St. Joseph’s Greg Bryant was also named to the Hall of Fame but was unable to attend due to a medical appointment.
コメント