TOLEDO, Ohio — It's only fitting that Chris Hardman Field played host to the man himself joining elite company. On Tuesday, the longtime Ottawa Hills baseball coach became just the 13th in Ohio to reach 700 career wins.
"Yeah, this was nice but I don't think we're done," Hardman said.
Another victory for the Green Bears improved the team's record to 5-2 this season. Yet, the win over cross-state foe Whiteford hit differently.
"I've been blessed," Hardman said. "This community has loved baseball, they've embraced our program and what a great place to coach."
The legend began his coaching tenure in 1977 as an interim head coach. Seven years later, following a few years off in between, he officially took over the program and never looked back. Now in his 44th season, all of those memories helped culminate into one special evening.
"As the team, we talked about it. We wanted to get this win for coach," Ottawa Hills senior pitcher Noah Hamilton said. "Obviously he's had a great career, he's one of the best coaches not only in Toledo but Ohio and even the country I'd say, so it was really special."
Leading up to the highly anticipated game, very few throughout the community were unaware of what Hardman sat on the verge of.
"It's a big deal in Ottawa Hills. Chris Hardman is a legend," Ottawa Hills superintendent Adam Fineske said. "He is someone in the community that is so well-respected and has made such an influence on kids."
You'd be hard-pressed to draw up how No. 700 came to be. The Green Bears and Bobcats battled to a 1-1 draw at the end of seven innings. Both teams had great chances to win the game, but the ultimate decider took place in the bottom of the ninth inning when Hamilton got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
"I don't think coach Hardman would've wanted to win 14-3. I think this is the way he likes to win," Hamilton said. "He likes playing these good teams and we saw two great pitchers from Whiteford, so I think that was great for his 700th win."
In the scorebook, the senior got credit for the win after shutting out Whiteford in four innings of relief aided by six strikeouts. His winning at-bat followed a leadoff double by junior Jackson Snyder.
"I felt really good winning the game in the bottom of the 9th because they had to go through some pretty good baseball players," Hardman said. "I didn't think we'd win it that way, I actually thought someone would've hit it in the trees."
Snyder's hit almost brought that prediction to reality but ended up falling just before the outfield fence. He led the team with two hits and an RBI.
With so many in attendance, Hardman couldn't help but reflect on all the people who made this mark achievable.
"To be honest with you, the 700 wins are a product of 44 years with wonderful kids, parents and coaches," Hardman said. "I'm a small part of it but I'm thrilled to be a part of it. There's also 540 losses."
An overall record of 700-541, he added that the losses helped serve meaningful lessons which in turn led to an abundance of success.
Over his tenure, Hardman has guided Ottawa Hills to eight OHSAA state tournaments that includes a championship in 1986. The Green Bears advanced to the Division III state semifinals last year.
Above the wins though is the impact this 72-year-old diamond phenom continues to make.
"Making sure that no matter what they do, they become a good person," Fineske said. "That they're successful in anything they choose to do in life. That's what Chris Hardman is all about."
So how much longer will he coach? Well, after being surrounded by dozens of kids following Tuesday's home win he told WTOL 11, "If I get to pick it, ten more years."
Hardman joins three other northwest Ohio coaches to surpass 700 career wins:
- Tom Held, Defiance (806)
- Rich Arbinger, Start (759)
- Dave Hall, Perrysburg (713)