Cobden coach in hall of fame Blayne Smith honored

Cobden High  School veteran baseball coach Blayne Smith topped the pinnacle of his career this past weekend.

Smith, who has coached baseball at Cobden for the last 34 years, was inducted at a banquet to the Illinois Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame at Woodridge Saturday, Feb. 6.

“It’s a tremendous honor when your peers have chosen you,” Smith said. “It doesn’t get much better than that and you just don’t get much higher. It was really a neat thing and a very impressive banquet.”

 In 34 years as head coach, he has compiled a 641-390 record and his teams have made two trips to the state tournament.

In his third season as head coach in 1979, he guided the Appleknockers to the state tournament and finished 26-2 after losing in the first-round.

In 1987, his Cobden team went undefeated through the season  into  the state tournament series before losing in the final game and finishing as runner up. It was Smith’s best season and record at 38-1.

His teams have won five regional championships and 10 conference championships. He has had more than 25 former players compete at the college level in baseball and one player, Janseen Hand, played a stint of professional baseball.

“With the school of our size, that’s pretty good,” he said. “But I’ve been blessed with some great players.”

Smith said a player from his 1987 team that advanced to the state tourney called him to congratulate him on his selection to the Hall of Fame.

“That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “The relationship you build with these players is always there.”

Smith said he always enjoys talking with his former players.

Smith has also been involved with the Southern Illinois University of Carbondale summer baseball camp for several years.

“It has been great to be around some of the great teacher’s of the game,” said Smith, referring mainly to former SIUC and University of Illinois baseball coach Richard “Itchy” Jones.

Smith also enjoys working with present Saluki baseball coach Dan Calahan.

A big positive for his coaching feat has been the support he gets from home.

“I couldn’t have done any of it without my wife Leta behind me and supporting me,”  said Smith, who noted his wife made the Hall of Fame presentation to him at the banquet.

His four daughters, Amanda, Kallie, Meredith  and Sarah, each participated in softball at Cobden and also have been supportive as well of his coaching career, he said.

Smith said he has been fortunate to work with three outstanding athletic directors at Cobden since his coaching tenure. The trio includes Gene Dammerman, Josh Franklin and present Cobden AD Craig Partridge.

“The athletic directors have been absolutely fantastic,” Smith said. “But I do want to thank Craig for nominating me (Hall of Fame). And, I want to thank the (school) staff for their generosity and support for the weekend in Chicago.”

Smith, a driver’s education teacher, plans to retire from teaching this year and possibly continue coaching