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YC coach Tom Kandler congratulates Erick Martinez after hitting a home run in a March 27 game in Wellton.
PHOTO BY RYAN BRENNECKE, THE SUN
Breaking news: YC baseball coach resigns
Effective the end of the season
Yuma Catholic baseball coach Tom Kandler told The Sun on Friday that he has resigned his post, effective the end of the 2008 season, because of a differing vision for the direction of YC athletics.
Kandler's announcement came the day of the Shamrocks' regular-season finale - a 10-0 run-ruled victory over rival Antelope - and three days before YC begins another 2A state playoff run. He will remain on the Yuma Catholic faculty as a teacher.
"When I first came to coach at YC, many of the coaches at the time, including myself, sat down and developed an unwritten vision for where we saw the future of Yuma Catholic athletics," Kandler said in a written statement addressed to parents, players and friends. "That vision included a school where students were encouraged to participate in as many activities as they possibly could without repercussion from another activity. This vision included an equality of all sports, male and female; fall, winter and spring. This vision has all but eroded.
"Almost a year to the day I heard rumors about the future of Yuma Catholic athletics. Although I was assured they were just rumors, I stated that if these rumors were true that I would resign as the baseball coach the very next day. (Thursday) I found these rumors to be truth."
Kandler compiled a 92-26 overall record in four seasons at the helm of YC baseball, and a 40-4 region record. He guided the Shamrocks to the 2006 2A state championship and was named the 2A Conference Coach of the Year.
Kandler said his love for his players made his resignation a difficult decision.
"I could not have asked for any more effort or support from the players or parents," Kandler said in the statement. "I do not have children of my own, so first I would like to thank the baseball parents for allowing me, in some small way, to adopt their children as my own...This is not a health issue and I am not burned out as a coach. I enjoy coaching today as much as I did the first game."
The Shamrocks are 19-9 this year and finished second in the 2A West Region. Kandler led YC to region titles during each of his first three seasons.
