500 wins

By ROCKY STANLEY - The Independent

LOUISA Fri, May 16 2008

— When measuring the success of Lawrence County High School baseball, the consensus is loud and clear.
There’s no underestimating the K-factor, as in coach Randy Keeton.
With his steady hand on the program, the Bulldogs have earned the reputation as a consistent winner.
Now in the final season of his third coaching stint at Lawrence County, Keeton picked up career victory No. 500 last week and his Bulldogs are ranked 12th in the state coaches’ poll.
“He’s the reason Lawrence County baseball is the way it is,’’ said Timmy Hayes, the Bulldogs’ standout senior catcher. “Coach Keeton built the tradition.’’
Earlier this week, Lawrence County honored its even-keel head coach with a commemorative Louisville Slugger bat denoting his milestone win.
Travis Feltner, a 10-year assistant on Keeton’s staff, said the tribute was only fitting.
“To me, Randy Keeton is just something that has been rock solid and consistent for a long time,’’ Feltner said. “Obviously, averaging over 20 wins for 25 years, he knows what he is doing.’’
Keeton, 61, joins a small list of area coaches to reach the 500 mark.
“I think back to all these guys that have been around here ... J.P. (Kouns), Larry Hardin, Jody (Hamilton),’’ Keeton said. “Charlie Adkins had 800 wins, that’s totally unreal.’’
Keeton said his name is part of that group only through major contributions from many others to wear Lawrence County uniforms.
“Five hundred wins in 25 years here shows that a lot of good players have come through our Little League system,’’ he said. “I’ve been fortunate to have several good assistant coaches, some that are still here and some that have moved, or are in administration.’’
Lawrence County improved to 13-2 after edging Johnson Central 1-0 on Tuesday night. Both of the Bulldogs’ losses this season came against Florida teams.
Keeton has the Bulldogs playing another demanding schedule suited for a team with five college signees, led by Louisville-bound Hayes. Jeff Cyrus and Brad Laney are headed to Pikeville College, while Lewis Michael and Dustin Kingsmore will attend Alice Lloyd.
“Coach Keeton cares more about us getting better than the wins and losses,’’ Hayes said. “I think that’s why we have been one of the better teams around, because he has given us an opportunity to get better.’’
Keeton, already a member of the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, is known for preparing his teams well and getting the most out of his players.
“He’s always been big on hard work,’’ Feltner said. “We really don’t waste practice time, and the kids do a lot in the offseason lifting weights and staying in shape. It seems like it’s been that way since I’ve been here. I guess that all goes back to the consistency part.’’
Keeton has guided the Bulldogs to three regional titles and five runner-up finishes in a career spanning four decades. He coached five years in the 1970s — the first four at Louisa High. Keeton returned in 1984 for four seasons, then came back in 1993 until the present.
In short, Keeton has been around long enough to coach the sons of several ex-Bulldogs who played for him.
“I really reflect back and enjoy that part of it,’’ he said.
Hayes’ father, Tim, played on Keeton’s first regional championship team in 1986.
“Dad told me that I had to work hard to play for coach Keeton,’’ said the younger Hayes, now a fifth-year varsity player. “Coach Keeton is the most knowledgeable baseball guy I have ever been around. He’s more than a coach, he’s a mentor.’’
As Lawrence County’s baseball program has continued to thrive, its ballpark has also seen a great transformation into one of the best in eastern Kentucky.
“Even 10 years ago, we had a skin infield with no lights and no weight room next to it,’’ Keeton said. “Now, I would put it up against any in eastern Kentucky. Coach Feltner takes care of the field like it’s his own yard. He’s a good coach and likes the ground crew part of it, too.’’
Keeton has loved baseball for as long as he can remember.
“When I was little, I listened to the Reds on the front porch when all you had was the radio,’’ he said. “Then you go up through Little League, Senior League and so on. Baseball has always been a major part of my life. I enjoyed every bit of it, and probably won’t stop after this season.’’
History indicates that Keeton won’t be away from the game for long. During the gaps in his high school coaching career, Keeton coached in Little League and Senior League and also served as Little League president.
“I will miss coaching the high school team here, but I think it’s time for somebody else to take over,’’ he said.
For now, there are more games to win. Keeton wants this season to be remembered for the team’s accomplishments rather than his own. After No. 500 against Morgan County in the Paintsville Tiger Classic, Lawrence County celebrated with a special cake at a nearby picnic area.
“As I told the kids and parents afterwards, 500 is good for me and the program but we want to get to 525. It’s not about adding wins to my record. It’s getting wins for the team.’’
Last year’s 29-win season and 15th Region runner-up finish left the Bulldogs hungry for more.
“Our goal is to get to Lexington,’’ Keeton said.

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