Published: August 01, 2008 12:40 am      

Boyd baseball has new head coach

Ramsey hired; Maynard lightens load

CANNONSBURG — Boyd County High School’s baseball coaching staff is undergoing a shuffle.

Ben Maynard resigned as head coach effective June 9 in order to take on a lesser coaching role with the program.

His wife, Amy, gave birth to their first child — son Alex — on June 14 and Maynard was seeking more flexibility with his schedule.

“That was the main consideration,’’ he said. “My wife graduated from nursing school last year and works some pretty good hours. It was going to be a challenge to work out child care with my coaching schedule. I want to be around (Alex) as much as I can.’’

Boyd County posted the head coaching position and hired Lions assistant coach Brandon Ramsey later in June.

The plan is for Maynard, who teaches business and information technology at the high school, to help out with baseball in a less formal capacity.

“It will be more of a supportive role,’’ he said. “I won’t disappear. I just won’t be out in front, which is fine with me.’’

The past four seasons, Maynard guided Boyd County to 102 wins, two regional championships and three district titles. The Lions advanced to the state semifinals in 2005 and reached the quarterfinals in ’06.

Boyd County has a strong baseball tradition Ramsey is enthused about taking over the helm.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,’’ said Ramsey, 36. “I’ve been around the program (as assistant coach) for 14 years now. I’m finally getting a chance to be the head coach.’’

Ramsey’s ties with BCHS baseball run deep. A 1990 Boyd County graduate, he was a member of two regional championship teams with the Lions and attended Marshall University on a baseball scholarship. Ramsey returned to Boyd County as an assistant coach in 1994 on Jody Hamilton’s staff and the Lions won the 2001 state crown during a run of seven regional titles.

Ramsey left the program for two years and coached the Huntington Hounds to an NABF World Series runner-up finish in 2003. He came back to Boyd County in ’05 as pitching coach during Maynard’s first year as head coach.

“I grew up in the program and it means a lot to me,’’ Ramsey said. “Hopefully, we can take it to where it has been in the past. I’m not sure we can take it higher, but we definitely want to stay at a high level.’’

Boyd County returns several young players, including most of the pitching staff, from a 2007 team that won 16 games in an injury-filled season.

“I think we will be back strong next year,’’ Ramsey said.

The coaching staff remains largely intact with Gavin Ramsey (Brandon’s brother), Aaron Acuff, Dave Trimble and Jeff Robbins back. Acuff will fill the role of pitching coach and new assistant David Kazee is expected to oversee the team’s catchers.

Maynard foresees a smooth transition.

“We’re just shuffling roles,’’ he said. “Most of us have coached with Brandon in one way or another. He’s done a great job with our pitchers and has been around long enough that he knows how to do every facet of our program. I don’t think we will miss a beat.’’

Ramsey credited several people, including Bayes, Maynard and Hamilton, with assisting him as he takes on the new responsibilities of a head coach.

The Lions will continue to play a top-flight schedule. Ramsey said Boyd County has accepted an invitation to the Louisville Invitational Tournament in 2009.

“We’re not backing off,’’ Ramsey said of the Lions’ scheduling philosophy. “Good competition puts you in a position to be more successful at the end of the season.’’

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.