Former Atlanta Braves pitcher takes over as coach of Lowcountry Heat
Chris Seelbach has been wanting to coach the older kids for quite some time now.
The former Atlanta Braves right-hander has been around high school baseball in the Lowcountry since way back in 1998, when he used to work out at Hilton Head Island High School before departing for spring training.
But when his playing career ended following the 2002 season, he never got the opportunity to coach at a higher level. Most of his time of late has been spent managing his son's 11-year-old travel team, while previous engagements kept him from coaching the local American Legion club a year ago.
Now he's finally got the chance.
"I got permission from my wife," he said.
Seelbach begins his first season as coach of the Lowcountry Heat of American League Post 185 this year. He takes over the reins from Hilton Head High coach Chris Wells, who stepped aside after three seasons.
"I felt like I wanted to give back to some of these older kids," Seelbach said. "I've been coaching young kids for a long time and I felt like there's a lot I could give them."
Seelbach realizes his job with the Heat will not be based on wins and losses. So he plans on allowing his club to make its own decisions -- such as a battery calling its own pitches -- and he'll provide input when necessary.
"Our theory is to teach them the game the way it's supposed to be played and then give them some freedom to be able to make mistakes," he said. "Whether it's throwing a wrong pitch in certain situations or stealing a base in the wrong situation. We're able to teach them and say, 'Hey, look, here's why you didn't need to do that.' "
The Heat will almost undoubtedly listen with open ears. Seelbach brings a wealth of experience to the club, as he appeared in seven games for the Braves over the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He also spent time pitching in the minor league farm systems of both the Marlins and Mariners and pitched in Japan for Hokkaido's Nippon Ham Fighters during 2002.
He is joined by assistant coach Sam Martin, who spent time in the minor league systems of the Indians and Cardinals from 1981-84.
"You're obviously a product of your history as a player," Seelbach said. "I've got a lot of experience with it and was around some really knowledgeable people when I was with Atlanta, Seattle, Florida and then in Japan. I'm able to impart some knowledge that they may not be able to get anywhere else."
The Heat's roster is comprised of nine players from Hilton Head High -- including seniors Kevin Hickey and Taylor Place -- while four Bluffton athletes join them, highlighted by pitchers Jake Martin and Ryan Cherry. Lincoln Fuller and JD Reichel of Hilton Head Christian Academy and John Sheehan of Hilton Head Prep help comprise the roster. Catcher Grant Youmans of Patrick Henry rounds out the list.
The Heat began the year with a 5-1 loss against Goose Creek on Monday, as they tallied a trio of errors while being held to just a pair of hits. They traveled to Summerville on Tuesday evening.
"They're a good group of kids," Seelbach said. "They're respectful, they listen, they try to do what we tell them to do."
Lowcountry Heat roster
#1 P Nic Levy, HHH
#2 IF Kevin Hickey, HHH
#3 OF Caleb Martin, HHH
#4 P/IF Jake Martin, Bluffton
#5 P/OF Andrew Dill, HHH
#6 P Mat Clark, HHH
#7 C Brandon Johnson, HHH
#8 OF Grant Youmans, Patrick Henry
#9 P/IF Lincoln Fuller, HHCA
#11 P Ryan Cherry, Bluffton
#12 P/IF Jake Kizer, HHH
#13 P/OF Ryan Ward, Bluffton
#14 OF JD Reichel, HHCA
#15 IF John Sheehan, HHP
#16 C/IF Taylor Place, HHH
#17 C/1B Logan Phillips, Bluffton
#39 P Andrew Cyr, HHH
Lowcountry Heat schedule
All games at 7 p.m.
May 21 vs. Goose Creek
May 22 at Summerville
May 24 at Goose Creek
May 29 at Beaufort
May 30 vs. West Ashley
June 4 vs. Summerville
June 7 at West Ashley
June 8 vs. Beaufort
June 11 at Goose Creek
June 13 at Summerville
June 15 vs. West Ashley
June 19 at Beaufort
June 22 vs. Savannah Christian
June 25 vs. Summerville
June 26 at West Ashley
June 29 vs. Beaufort
July 2 vs. Goose Creek
July 9 -- start of playoffs
This story was originally published May 23, 2012 at 12:59 AM with the headline "Former Atlanta Braves pitcher takes over as coach of Lowcountry Heat."