Team has confidence in coach

By Tom Williams | June 3, 2009 at 12:09a.m.

NEW MIDDLETOWN — Springfield High baseball coach Bob Beam was a sophomore outfielder on the 1992 Boardman team that qualified for the state semifinals.

“I wasn’t a starter,” said Beam after being asked what he remembers. “We played at Munson Stadium in Canton and it was a new venue and there was a lot of excitement in the air.”

Friday at 10 a.m., Beam’s Tigers (28-4) will play in the Division IV state semifinal against Newark Catholic (20-10) at Huntington Park in Columbus.

“They’ve been to state something like five out of the last 10 years,” Beam said. “But anyone we’re going to play at this point is going to be a tough game.”

Beam said the Green Wave are a lot better than their record indicates.

“They’ve played a pretty tough schedule, a lot of prep schools and Division I and II teams,” Beam said. “Those 10 losses are not a true gauge of how good they are.”

Newark Catholic outscored their regional opponents by a 22-3 margin.

Springfield, meanwhile, blew out Crestline, 12-0, in its regional semifinal then defeated Lake Center 3-2 to earn its state trip.

Beam, who is completing his fifth season as Springfield’s coach, said he’s 99 percent he’ll start his senior ace, Todd Kibby (9-1), on Friday. Travis Richey (7-1) and Bryan Visingardi (2-0) also pitch for Springfield.

Visingardi, who plays third base, said Beam is a “great coach and motivator. He knows the game real well and we couldn’t ask for a better coach.”

Beam has been teaching in the Springfield system since graduating from Hiram College.

At Boardman, he played football, basketball and baseball. He began his college career playing baseball for Youngstown State University, then transferred to Hiram after a year.

“He always gets the best out of us as a whole team,” second baseman Frank Sferra said. “Individually, he makes sure that everyone is doing the best the best they can. He helps us to keep our heads on straight.”

Beam said the school and community are buzzing.

“There’s a lot of excitement with people making plans to go and school officials trying to figure out how to get students down there,” Beam said.

The Tigers will leave for Columbus on Thursday afternoon in time to check-in to their hotel then go to the new ballpark to watch a Div. II semifinal between Walsh Jesuit and Columbus St. Francis DeSales.

“We want to take them to the game so they can see the ballpark and get all the ‘oohs and aahs’ out of their system,” Beam said. “We want them to see what they are in for on Friday.”

Friday’s batting practice will begin at 8:15 a.m. Beam said that because the Tigers played several Saturday morning doubleheaders, the early start won’t be completely new.

williams@vindy.com