LETTER: Baseball Coach Explains Reason for Resignation

To the Editor:
 
As a teacher and coach, I've always stressed to my students and athletes the importance of integrity and what it means to have strong character. In that light, I want to clarify the circumstances that led to my resignation last week as Varsity Coach of the Merrimack High School baseball team. I have coached for 10 years, and there are times when emotions during a game run high, particularly during controversial calls. During one of those situations, I was ejected from the game and incurred a two game suspension from "game events." Not considering a warm-up as a part of a "game event," I hit balls for fielding practice before the quarter-final game but left the stadium before the game began. Unfortunately, my interpretation of what constitutes a "game event" was wrong – warm-up before the game is deemed by the NHIAA as part of the "game event." To prevent MHS from having to forfeit that game, and thus be out of championship contention, I resigned.

Resigning as Merrimack's baseball coach was very difficult for me. I love coaching and I love baseball. During my tenure in this position, I have coached hundreds of student-athletes, hopefully teaching them as much about character and life as about baseball. Despite having to leave, I want to let the community know that I enjoyed being a part of the MHS community and have high respect for its administration. I want students and athletes to know that there are times when even if you think you are doing everything right, something goes wrong.  That's OK, as I had the privilege of coaching many fine young men, working with great colleagues, and enriching the high school experience in Merrimack. I thank all of you. Go Hawks! Win the championship! 
 
Ryan Anderson