DURHAM, N.C. (May 26, 2010) – In the offseason heading into the 2010 baseball campaign, head coach Chris Blum was in search of two coaches after losing longtime assistants and friends Chad Derck and Phil Raccuglia.
He knew it would be a daunting task to replace them, but with the addition of Jeff Pinder and Adam Schafer the Golden Bear squad never skipped a beat. In their inaugural season, the duo has helped the Golden Bears win the Atlantic Region title and earn the teams first win in the NCAA Division II National Baseball Championship since 2002.
“It was amazing for me,” said Schafer. “When I got the call from coach Blum with the opportunity to coach at this level, I jumped on it right away. These kids have put so much hard work and dedication into this season and it's why we have gotten so far.”
“You're never sure exactly what to expect when bringing in new coaches,” said Blum. “I saw them both, talked to them and have known them for a long time. I knew that they would be perfect fits here at KU. I have to give some credit to equipment manager Radar [Keith McCarthy] for recommending Schafer when Derck said he couldn't come back. I wanted a third coach and didn't want to jump the gun, then I realized Adam was the guy we needed out there.”
Pinder and Schafer each bring a lot of intensity to a team that was in no way lacking in that department. While Pinder offers a more laid back, quiet intensity needed from a hitting standpoint, Shafer is wound tight with his passion.
“Schafer is a lot fun and lighten's things up a bit,” said Todd Rubendall (Collegeville, PA/Methacton). “He sets games up for the catcher's during our actual games. We set a number of passed balls that our group of catcher's need to stay under. We stayed within the limit.”
“Schafer can dive into the some more in-depth things in baseball, while Pinder has been around a lot of winning, coming from Boyertown,” said Blum. “They both have been at the college level before, so it seemed like a good fit. With their work schedules, we have a lot to be thankful for with the flexibility that their bosses gave them.”
Pinder came to the Golden Bears after assisting at Widener University and with the Boyertown American Legion baseball team the past two seasons. As the hitting coach, Pinder has come in and improved the team batting average 37 points. His biggest improvement was on Jared Frey (Mohrsville, PA/Schuylkill Valley), who hit .222 a year ago and is currently batting .392.
Pinder found his way back with hitting sensation Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown). The two reunited after a one year absence, Pinder was Houck's hitting coach through his three dominant seasons with the Boyertown legion team.
“It's nice to have the same coach that I had for three years, it helps me relax,” said Houck. “I batted different last season, so when Pinder came here it was a relief to go back to what I was used to. His coaching style has made me more comfortable at the plate.”
“He knows what he is talking about, but won't get in anyone's face about a bad at bat,” said Houck. “If you ask him what you need to correct he will do it. He is there for you, not there trying to be an authority figure telling you what you have to do. Pinder will talk about it and help you out, it's just a relief to have a good players coach like that.”
Schafer brought a lot of personal experience to the team, after playing several years in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system. He has handled the duties of dealing with pitchers and catchers, as a former catcher himself.
“Having Nate Reed on the staff is a bonus, Big Jon [Grosse] throwing the way he has is phenomenal,” said Schafer. “And having Kulbacki behind the plate, with his leadership and catching ability makes it easier for me.”
Freshman catcher's Rubendall and Matt Albaugh (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) each look at the lucky situation they stepped into at Kutztown by learning from an experienced coach such as Schafer.
“He knows a lot of stuff about catching and the game of baseball,” said Rubendall. “As freshman coming in, we were able to learn a lot from a guy with minor league experience. That is a big deal and right off the bat we know a lot more now.”
“He helps everyone out with his knowledge of the game,” said Albaugh. “He's helped pitching and infielders, but as freshman catcher's he had an immediate impact on our growth this season. He will get on you when you do something wrong, but overall he is a great coach.”
As the Golden Bears fight to etch their name on the national trophy, it will go down as one unforgettable season for the first-year coaches.
“Looking back on the season, Reed's no-hitter against Bloomsburg was one of the top moments,” said Schafer. “Houck's season has been fun to watch, the way he is hitting homerun after homerun and knocking in guys left and right.”
Even though Blum's former assistants are not on the coaching staff, they both still remain dedicated to the program.
“Phil and Chad had a lot of involvement and still are,” said Blum. “Phil was down here watching the guys and Chad has been texting me every day.”
--KU--
