Coach's Corner - Corey Goodwin, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Baseball
Today we're featuring Corey Goodwin, who coaches baseball at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute in Baltimore City! Coach Goodwin spoke with us about a variety of topics, including why he enjoys coaching baseball in Baltimore City!
County Sports Zone:How did you get your start with coaching?
Corey Goodwin:After my playing days were over as a pitcher at the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, I was retained by the coaching staff as the pitching coach and top assistant. It was there when the fire started to become a coach. I came back to Baltimore in 2001 and was asked to be the pitching coach for Poly. I volunteered in that role until 2005 when I took over.
CSZ:Why do you coach? What about it do you enjoy?
CG:I honestly believe I was put here to coach baseball. It's an indescribable passion. I absolutely love the sport as it challenges you in so many different ways, and I'm constantly learning new things. I thoroughly enjoy teaching new concepts to players, and I love to see them get a grasp of those concepts.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of coaching is watching a kid progress throughout his tenure. A kid will come in as a shy freshman with little confidence, and leave feeling like he can concur any and everything on the field. That's what it's all about to me- teaching life through baseball. What other sport can you go three for 10 and still be considered great?
CSZ:Specifically Poly- why do you enjoy coaching there?
CG:I absolutely love coaching at Poly for a number of reasons. The main reason is the kids. The kids that cross my path come from many walks of life as Poly is a melting pot for all different types of students.
I've also always been blessed with a phenomenal support system with AD's, other coaches and parents. Students at Poly really care about their education and are typically hard workers because of it. I love being able to take care of my own field, and teaching the kids how to do it. The program kind of runs itself now. There is a very strong sense of family through Poly baseball.
CSZ:Talk a little about coaching baseball in Baltimore City. Why is it something you are passionate about?
CG:Coaching baseball in the city is an honor and a privilege. I played baseball in this great city from the age of four, all the way through high school at Lake Clifton. This city is responsible for me falling in love with baseball. As a kid, we played other neighborhoods. I walked through Morgan State to get to Northwood Baseball League to play games. Everyone played baseball when I was growing up, and times have changed.
My goal is to do my best to get more of our kids playing at a higher level, just in general. I want to be the access to good coaching that they may not feel they have access to. I'm proud to represent not only Poly's baseball program, but Baltimore City. We've gotten a black eye as a whole in the last decade or so, and that's beginning to change. We have a lot of work left to do, but I'm determined to get it done. My city deserves it.
CSZ:What're some characteristics of teams that are coached by you? What do you try to instill in your players?
CG:All of my teams have the understanding about all of the little things that it takes to be a successful player, and a successful team. We always talk about the little things. Things that may not seem so important at the time, things that don't show up on the stat sheet. Things like, seniors leading the off season workouts. Things like nonstop communication on the field- accountability and perseverance.
We make sure we push our players to the physical limits daily, with the goal to make them mentally strong. In all my teams, I try to instill mental toughness. You have to be able to accept failure in this game or it will destroy you.
CSZ:It ended up being a tremendous season for Poly's baseball program, reclaiming the city championship and reaching a regional final in the state playoffs. Why was this group able to do so well?
CG:This year's group was a special group. We were led by five seniors who've experienced triumph and disappointment in their respective careers. These guys were able to lead by example based on their experiences through baseball on and off of the field. This group of kids genuinely loved one another. Its so easy to be selfish, but these kids bought into the family approach and loved to see each other do well. That was probably my biggest accomplishment as a Coach in 2018.
These kids came together like no other, and the success was just a formality. My seniors also set the tone in the classroom. All five seniors are college bound: Isaac Spokes (Dartmouth), Michael Heck (Maryland), Jacob Noffsinger (Maryland), Jace Geiger (Towson), and Brian Dunstan (Coppin State). These guys were examples to all of our young guys and are a big part of why this season was so special.
CSZ:It's a ways off, but looking ahead, what are your goals and expectations for Poly baseball next season?
CG:We've lost some firepower with graduating five starters, but we have prepared ourselves for this. We have a really talented freshman class coming in, and we have some really solid returners. As always, there will be some bumps along the road and probably a few more gray hairs in my chin, but in the end it will be all worth it.
We preach consistency, as Poly Baseball has been that during my tenure. We just seem to be able to plug in new guys where the old guys left. Next season will bring about an entire new set of challenges, but I look forward to it, and so do those players that have been waiting "their turn."
We look forward to another good season, as the ultimate prize is to win a state title. I was told to my face by another coach outside of the district that "no Baltimore City team will ever win a state title in baseball." I absolutely love when someone tells me that I can't do something. Poly baseball looks to defending our crown as city champs, and kick that door in to the final four in the state playoffs. We're close.
| July 6th, 2018 | By: Wick Eisenberg |