Former Lexington Coach New SHS Baseball Skipper

Kevin Yianacopolus has been the assistant coach for the Lexington High School varsity baseball team for the past 16 years, but now he will be calling the shots for the Stoneham High baseball squad this Spring after Hall of Fame coach Bill Seabury retired.

“I want the team to know that I played for Stoneham baseball and have followed Stoneham baseball all of my life," Yianacopolus said. "I'm honored to come back to my home town of Stoneham to coach."

Yianacopolus is excited to be the new coach for the Spartans, but knows it will not be easy replacing the man who was the face of Stoneham baseball for so long.

“It’s quite the honor to replace Bill," Yianacopolus said. "He is a current Hall of Fame high school baseball coach, an icon in the Middlesex League and a close family friend."

He is setting goals for the 2011 season before the snow has even left the ground because Yianacopolus loves to compete ever since his days as a Spartan.

“My current expectations for the upcoming year are to work at getting better each day and compete in every ballgame in the Middlesex League,” Yianacopolus said. “Another goal is to compete for the Middlesex League title and make it to the State tournament."

He knows if his team sticks to the basics and they listen to him each game and practice, they can be a successful squad.

“Playing fundamentally sound baseball and teaching our players to compete at their highest ability is what will make us competitive,” Yianacopolus said.

The 2011 Stoneham baseball season will get underway in the beginning of April and for the first time in 35 years, there is a new manager at the helm.