By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

PROCTORVILLE — During his 16 seasons as the Fairland Lady Dragons’ softball coach, Jim Bailey stamped his signature on the school’s program.

Now, the field on which he coached has permanently stamped his name on it.

Bailey – school’s most successful softball coach – was honored on March 31 when the girls’ softball field was named in his honor.

“It was a great honor. You feel humbled by it,” said Bailey. “You have to give credit to the people who helped you, the assistant coaches and, of course, the players.”

Bailey expressed his sincere thanks to Fairland superintendent Roni Hayes, the school board and former player Kathy Stalnaker who organized the dedication day events.

The coaches who helped Bailey during his career included Doug Curry for 12 years, Don Pruitt for eight years, pitching coach Chris Hunter for four years, former player Carrie Hinkle who had to a record-setting career at Marshall, former player Tiffany Wade, Pat Frasher, Aaron Barcus and Tim Hamlin.

“Any coach knows he’s only as good as his players and we had some good ones over the years,” said Bailey. “And head coaches always know how valuable it is to have good assistant coaches.”

Bailey’s career registered some impressive numbers during his tenure from 1984-1992 and 1996-2002.

He did not coach from 1993-95 to watch his son Jared play high school baseball.

His career record was 247-89 including 44-5 in his final two seasons. His teams won or shared 10 Ohio Valley Conference championships including the first title in 1985. The Lady Dragons also won six sectionals and his teams reached the district finals on three occasions.

Bailey guided the team to three 20-win seasons including a 24-2 record in 2002 and a fifth place ranking in the coaches’ Division III state softball poll.

He was the Southeast District Coach of the Year in 2001 and his team received the Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award in 2000 from the Southeast District Coaches Association.

Beyond his players, coaches and parents, Bailey said he enjoyed his association with the other area teams and coaches.

“It was a good run and I enjoyed the battles with South Point and Chesapeake. I also enjoyed the tough competition in the Sluggerfest at Cabell Midland and Thunder in the Valley at Symmes Valley hosted by Odie Estep,” said Bailey.

“I have a lot of great memories and I do miss seeing the coaches from those years.”

And now he has one more memory he’ll get to remember each time he visit the Fairland softball field.