Greg Hamilton wanted the new East Franklin Junior High School baseball coach to have a strong knowledge of the game and the ability to teach fundamentals.
The Franklin County Schools Superintendent found all that and more with the hiring of former Russellville High School varsity baseball coach David Ward.
Ward's hiring was approved by the Franklin County Board of Education at its January 19th meeting. Ward follows former EFJH coach Jason Cooper, who transferred to Tharptown High School last fall.
Ward, who is retired from Alabama and vested in Tennessee, will receive a coaching supplement but will be in a part-time capacity only.
“You won't find anyone who knows more about baseball than Coach Ward. He'll get them the reps and knowledge they need. He's worked for me before and he knows the game, knows how to teach it and how to work the kids and that's what you look for in a coach,” Hamilton said.
Ward, a member of the Colbert County Sports Hall of Fame, was a talented four-sport athlete at Colbert Heights High School in the late 1970s. After graduation, he attended the University of North Alabama where he played baseball and football. Ward played his final year of eligibility in baseball at Calhoun Community College, where he was an All-Conference selection.
Ward was drafted by the Atlanta Braves organization in 1983, but chose to finish his education.
His 25-year baseball coaching career saw Ward coach at Collinwood, Tenn., Colbert Heights, Northwest Junior College and Russellville High School. He was named 5A Coach of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in 2007, after the Golden Tigers reached the state semifinals.
That 2007 team amassed a school-record 42 wins. Ward's RHS team won 33 games in 2008 and 34 wins in 2011.
When Ward's oldest son Jake was hired to coach baseball at Vina High School, Ward served in a volunteer coaching role for the Red Devils.
Ward also worked in Georgia, where he was part of the coaching staff of the East Cobb Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, scout teams comprised of Division One draftees.
With the majority of East Franklin's enrollment feeding into Phil Campbell High School, which has seen tremendous baseball success, Ward's focus will be preparing his players for the next level.
“Most of our kids will go to Phil Campbell High School and I can help them develop their games to be part of that program,” Ward said. “It's about generating interest here in the baseball program. We don't have a field to play home games on, so our schedule is all away games.
“But the interest is here. We started practicing and have 16 kids on the team. There are some athletes out there. The thing we've got to do is focus on fundamentals. These kids will be ready,” he added.
Those who've seen Ward coach will likely describe his coaching style as 'intense,' but he says those fiery days are now behind him.
“I've definitely mellowed in recent years. There were times I wouldn't have played for me. But the passion and respect for the game of baseball will always be there,” Ward said.
East Franklin will open its season at Hatton on February 16, followed by trips to Hackleburg (Feb. 21), Vina (Feb. 24) and Belgreen (Feb. 27). All games will be doubleheaders, Ward said.
