WEST LAWN, PA (May 16, 2010) – Kutztown University head baseball coach Chris Blum will always remember his 300th career victory.
In a storybook ending that Hollywood would enjoy, Blum's milestone moment was achieved as the Golden Bears secured a trip to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship in Cary (NC) with a 2-0 victory over rival West Chester in a thrilling Atlantic Region championship contest at Owls Field at Ted Palka Park Sunday afternoon. Not even Spike Lee could've scripted this fantastic finish.
Already the all-time winningest coach in Kutztown history, Blum further enhanced his reputation as one of the best coaches in the nation. This is KU's fifth trip to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship since 2001. There were plenty of cameras present and one of them even captured the snapshot of Blum being doused with water while being interviewed.
There have been a gaggle of great players that has played for Kutztown and helped Blum reach this milestone. However, anybody who knows Blum, knows he has never cared about personal accolades.
“It does mean a lot but it doesn't mean as much as the team going to the World Series,” Blum said. “That's what we set out to do. That's what these seniors set out to do at the start of the season. We knew it would be a team effort with everybody helping along the way. The 300 is nice, but it's a distant second to going to Cary, NC.”
Blum has been successful because he is laid back and easy to get along with. His biggest worry before the first game of what turned out to be a successful doubleheader sweep against the Golden Rams was where he was going to place his car keys. Don't confuse that with being a softie because underneath his cool veneer is bulldog-like intensity and a fierce competitive fire. He also has a terrific understanding of his personnel.
Blum also spends his free time watching reruns of “Coach”, which is his favorite television series, and quietly plotting, inspiring and enjoying his job. He is also committed to his players' success in the classroom and in their lives after Kutztown.
Like many managers, Blum trusts his instincts, listens to his players and allows them to be individuals. Each member of the Golden Bears added something special into the championship recipe this season. In addition to players who work hard and will run into brick wall or onto the middle of I-476 during rush hour traffic to catch a ball, Blum has received plenty of assistance this season from his trusted assistants Adam Schafer and Jeff Pinder.
“He's a players' coach,” Kutztown shortstop Mike Kacelowicz (Orwigsburg, PA/Blue Mountain) said. “He's real loose and keeps everything relaxed. He doesn't yell at you. He knows in the game the baseball, that you're going to make mistakes and he won't sit you when you do. He lets you play and lets you do your own thing and that's why we play hard for him.”
Blum's desire to coach started when he played for Elizabethtown under venerable coach John Gergic. When Blum worked under former KU coach Matt Royer, the urge to coach became higher. He has perfectly blended what he has learned from both men and funneled that into upholding the sacred tradition of Kutztown baseball.
“Once I went to college and started playing baseball, I knew coaching is something I wanted to do,” Blum said. “I had a pretty tough coach in college. He got me in terms of baseball; mentally tough and he had a quiet intensity. I owe a lot to coach Royer for giving me a chance the first eight years at Kutztown. I owe him a big part of what happened today also because I learned a lot from him.”
Blum never panicked when Kutztown lost 4-3 to California, Pa in the opening round. He didn't worry when the Golden Bears were four outs from elimination, the result of trailing Mansfield, 5-4, with two outs in the top of the eighth inning Friday morning. Nor was he concerned when Kutztown had to beat West Chester twice Sunday afternoon to win the Atlantic Region.
Even before a pitch was thrown in the 2010 Atlantic Region tournament, Blum had a feeling that if his team stumbled, it still would end up as the last squad standing. Speaking Wednesday afternoon during a workout, Blum confidently believed that he had enough pitching depth to return to the College World Series.
It showed. The Golden Bears didn't allow any more than five runs in any of the games they played in the NCAA tournament. The duo of Nathan Reed (Oley, PA/Oley Valley) and Adam Miani combined to impressively shutout a West Chester team that led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in runs scored and had scored at least four in every game this season.
That pitching performance earned their respected coach a refreshing shower as players took a bucket of water and dumped it onto an unsuspecting Blum. Of course, Kacelowicz who was in the middle of everything during the tournament, pleaded the fifth when asked about it.
“He didn't know it was coming,” Kacelowicz said. “I know he was looking out for it. But it was fitting to get him because he deserved it. I don't even know whose idea it was or who eventually got him. My mind was off in wonderland somewhere. It's a great feeling to get coach win number 300 against our rivals and go to the World Series. It's definitely special and we are really happy for coach Blum because he has been there for us on and off the field.”
--KU--
