Athlete of the Week: Kasey Coffin

Many high schoolers are satisfied playing one sport at the varsity level.  Juggling schoolwork, homework, and studying with practice and ballgames can be tough on even the most dedicated student athlete.

So imagine how difficult it must be to play two varsity sports?

That’s exactly the situation Clearwater High's Kasey Coffin faces as the senior transitions from being a guard on the Tornadoes basketball team to an infielder/pitcher on the baseball team.

With the basketball season ending a few weeks ago and the baseball season already in full swing, the two sport star has had little time to adjust to the change.

“It’s a little difficult, but if you’re prepared and you’re mentally set, you’re fine,” Coffin admitted recently after a . “I wish I had more time…but you gotta do what you gotta do.”

Since joining the baseball team, Coffin is hitting .474 with 8 runs scored and 4 RBI in seven starts. He’s made an even bigger contribution on the mound, where he has posted an ERA of 0.68, allowing just one run in 10 1/3 innings of work through March 10.

Asked which sport he prefers, he admits to a fondness for baseball.

“I’ve always been a baseball kind of guy. I have more fun with baseball,” he admits.

So who are his role models on the diamond?

“I really like Carl Crawford, a simple guy who just does what he needs to do to help his team win. And I always liked Chipper Jones, because he’s always coming up big for the Braves.”

As for his future plans, do they involve a hardcourt or a diamond?

“I’d prefer to play baseball at the next level, maybe do some pitching… but we’ll have to see where that goes this season.”

Clearwater is 9-4 in Class 5A, District 11. Their next game is Tuesday at Seminole.