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Dennis Semrau

Wissports.net

 

Town of Merton — Tim O'Driscoll planned to coach one more season on the field that bears his name.

 

But that changed Wednesday morning when O'Driscoll, the varsity baseball coach at Arrowhead High School the past 35 years, announced his retirement effective immediately due to health reasons.

 

"I did JV for two years so for 37 summers, this has been my life," said the 62-year-old O Driscoll, as he struggled to hold back the tears during a press conference at the school. "I talked to the players this morning and it was tough. It was tough."

 

O'Driscoll, the all-time winningest baseball coach in state history, had a phenomenal run. He compiled a 742-328 record, including 14 conference championships, six state tournament appearances, two runner-up state finishes and two state championships (1979 and 2009).

 

While O'Driscoll declined to release details of his health problems, he said he went in for a routine physical two weeks ago. When he received a call Monday from his physician, he knew his coaching career was over.

 

"It's something I have to deal with now. It's not life-threatening this second," O'Driscoll admitted. "But if I don't deal with it, it could become that so it's something I have to do."

 

The defending WIAA summer baseball state champion, Arrowhead begins practice on Friday. In addition to winning state a year ago, Arrowhead finished 21-0 in the Classic Eight Conference, the first time that happened in the league's 11-year history.

 

Arrowhead pitcher Jordan Paszek said it hurt to see O Driscoll have to walk away from one of his life s passions.

 

"Having to hear a man like coach O Driscoll, give up a passion of his life brought tears to my eyes," said Paszek, who heard the news from his coach in a phone conversation on Tuesday night. "Baseball is my passion. There s no other coach I d want to play for other than coach O Driscoll. He just brought something in the game to make you love it even more."

 

Warhawks athletic director Kevin Flegner said an interim coach would be named later Wednesday. But O Driscoll s day-to-day impact on the program will be missed.

 

"He s always done it the right way and had such a positive demeanor," Flegner said. "He is as honest as the day is long. He s been a joy to work with."