Greensburg alum Meyer changing diamond mindset

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Alex Meyer is in the third season of changing baseball minds at his alma mater.

“We came in and the program was struggling a little bit and we’re starting to see things heading in the right direction,” says Meyer, the 2008 Greensburg (Ind.) Community High School graduate, Indiana Mr. Baseball and former big league pitcher has been head coach for the Pirates program since 2022. “It’s taken a lot of time and a lot of hard work to establish a different mindset. They’re starting to buy in and believe they can play the game, too.

“We want to throw strikes on the mound, throw strikes across the diamond, catch the ball when it’s hit to us and put the ball in-play in the batter’s box. If you do those four things as the high school level, every game you should have an opportunity to win.”

Meyer, 34, is also emphasizing enjoyment.

“We’re just trying to make it as much for the kids as we can,” says Meyer. “If people are nervous and not having fun and walking around on eggshells it’s going to be really hard to find success in baseball. 

“We want kids to have confidence. We want them to have fun while they’re doing it.”

Greensburg (enrollment around 660) is a member of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (with Batesville, Connersville, East Central, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn).

The Pirates are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping in 2024 with Batesville, Connersville, Franklin County, Lawrenceburg (host), Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn. Greensburg has won nine sectional — the last in 2016.

Other teams on the 2024 schedule include Columbus East, Hauser, North Decatur, Oldenburg Academy, South Ripley and Union County.

Catcher/pitcher Gavin Owens (Greensburg Class of 2024) is committed to Indiana University Columbus and other current Pirates have shown an interest in college baseball.

Meyer’s assistants are Keegan McCamment, Kirby Dunagan and Collin Rigney with the varsity and Tom Mulig, Austin Schultz and Colton Williams with the junior varsity.

McCamment works with hitters, Dunagan guides catchers and coaches first base and Rigney oversees infielders. Meyer manages the whole program and coaches third base in games.

After a three-year stint at the University of Kentucky (2009-11) and six in pro ball (2012-17), including 22 games with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, Meyer coached in the Indiana Bulls travel organization.

He had the same approach as he does at Greensburg.

“It was about putting the kids first and making it about them,” says Meyer. “It’s what they need. Each team is different every year and you have to adjust accordingly.”

His first two years as a prep head coach, the 6-foot-9 right-hander would occasionally throw batting practice but he has left that to others so far this season.

“It’s not as easy as it used to be,” says Meyer. “I do not plan on doing that.”

The Pirates play and practice at an on-campus diamond.

Feeding the high school program are Greensburg Junior High School. Before that comes Greensburg Youth Baseball League — an organization where Meyer himself played growing up.

“Some kids stay local and some play travel ball,” says Meyer. “As long as they’re playing, that’s the biggest thing for us. We want to make sure they have a ball in their hand as much as they can.”

Alex and Kyra Meyer have three children — sons Roman (5) and Max (4) and daughter Renn (1). 

Both sets of grandparents live in town. David and Sandy Meyer are Alex’s parents. His father helping with the transition away from owning a Ford dealership and his mother is retired. Kristen is his older sister. Eric is his younger brother.

“Family has always been a big part for my wife and I,” says Alex. “We had good support systems growing up and we wanted to make sure our kids have the same opportunity.”

The Meyer family: Alex (holding Max), Kyra (holding Renn) and Roman.

Greensburg (Ind.) Community High School.

Alum, long-time assistant Cloyd takes over as Connersville head coach

By STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

The diamond is important at Connersville (Ind.) High School and it’s special to Jason Cloyd.

A 1991 Connersville graduate, Cloyd played prep baseball for four years — first for junior varsity coach Tom Gable Jr. (son of Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer Tom Gable Sr.), and varsity coach Mark Beard then three at Huntington (Ind.) College (now Huntington University) for IHSBCA Hall of Famer Mike Frame.

“(Beard) was really good dealing with kids,” says Cloyd. “(Frame) showed me a side of the game I hadn’t seen in high school. I learned a lot of my defensive stuff from Coach Frame.

“I’m pretty defensive-minded.”

For more than two decades, Cloyd has been an assistant baseball coach at his alma mater. The past few seasons, 1990 Connersville graduate and former Cloyd teammate Michael Thompson led the Spartans program. 

The 2024 season will be Cloyd’s first as head coach and the 100th official season for the program.

Like Thompson, Cloyd looks to keep things simple.

“Michael and I coach a lot alike,” says Cloyd. “We want to play defense, throw strikes and put the ball in play.

“If we can do those three things we’re normally going to be pretty successful — year in and year out.”

Connersville (enrollment around 950) is a member of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference (with Batesville, East Central, Franklin County, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn).

Non-conference foes in 2024 include Shenandoah, Hagerstown, Richmond, Yorktown, Centerville, Lawrence Central, Union County, Anderson, New Palestine, Knightstown, New Castle and Pendleton Heights.

The Spartans are part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping in 2024 with Batesville, Franklin County, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn. Connersville has won 20 sectional titles — the last two in 2022 and 2023.

A 22-7 season in 2023 ended with a 1-0 loss to eventual 3A state champion Silver Creek in the Floyd Central Regional. Right-hander Kolton DeBoard (a Class of 2025 member who went 7-1) was on the mound for the Spartans in that contest.

“Three big shoes to fill” include Chance Bentley, Braxton Myers and Gavin Pearson. Catcher Bentley left for the University of Evansville. Myers went to Indiana Wesleyan University for football. 

“It was one of the strongest groups we’ve had in a long time,” says Cloyd of the 2023 team. “We lost seven kids (to graduation). We’ve got good kids back. They’ll need to take on the role of leaders. That’s going to be a big step for them. 

“We’ve got pitching back (13 of 22 victories). That’s the one thing I’ll always take if you give me an option.”

Besides DeBoard, 6-foot-6, 250-pound right-hander Aaron Kidd (Class of 2025) returns to the Spartans mound crew.

Cloyd sees college baseball potential in DeBoard, Kidd, son infielder/right-hander pitcher Brady Cloyd (Class of 2024) and right-hander/middle infielder Gavin Brannon (Class 2026).

Using the fieldhouse at Connersville, the team has been spending IHSAA Limited Contact Period time on Mondays and Thursdays either taking infield practice or getting cuts in the batting cage.

Cloyd’s 2024 coaching staff includes Cameron Rowe and Brandon Shearer at the varsity level and Paul Woytik with junior varsity plus a few volunteers. Rowe, who played for Cloyd, takes over defensive duties from Cloyd. Alum Shearer is Connersville’s hitting coach. Woytik has been involved with both the baseball and softball programs at the school.

A new baseball field is being constructed on-campus. It’s uncertain if the natural-grass facility with irrigation it will be ready for play this spring.

With the new diamond and the current one — Spartan Field — will have two to accommodate varsity, JV (in some years there has been a high school team) and junior high. 

The seventh and eighth grade squads practice and play most of the time in the spring at Connersville’s Babe Ruth League field. Players come up through the Connersville Parks & Recreation program and many are also active in various travel ball organizations.

Cloyd says he would like to have a local travel organization with teams from 7U to 12U.

In 2020, Cloyd retired from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department after 21 years of service. He is now a Criminal Justice teacher at Whitewater Career Center in Connersville.

Jason and wife Audrey have been married nearly 12 years. Together, they have three children — 2019 Connersville graduates Bryce and Ava and current senior Brady. Bryce Cloyd played baseball and some basketball for the Spartans and Ava was on the dance team.

To follow Spartans baseball on social media, go to the Connersville Backstop Booster Club Facebook page or @cvillespartans on X (formerly Twitter).

Jason and Brady Cloyd.

The Cloyd family (from left): Bryce, Brady, Jason, Audrey and Ava.

Connersville won IHSAA sectional baseball titles in 2022 and 2023.

Connersville High School.

Alum Stang now guiding Franklin County Wildcats baseball

BY STEVE KRAH

http://www.IndianaRBI.com

Derek Stang received more and more responsibility from the two previous head baseball coaches at Franklin County High School in Brookville, Ind., and now he’s the man in charge.

After serving two seasons each on the staffs of Tony Windle and Dave Miley, 2007 FCHS graduate Stang is leading a Wildcats program that is used to success.

Franklin County has won 15 or more games in five of the past six seasons. The Wildcats have been consistent contenders in the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference and earned seven sectional crowns — the last in 2013.

Stang played for Windle as a young boy and at FCHS.

“(Windle) always stressed relationships with kids,” says Stang. “He made them feel comfortable around the coaches. It’s their program. They respected him and enjoyed playing for him.”

Miley brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to Franklin County. He managed or coached many years in professional baseball, including 2003-05 as manager of the Cincinnati Reds.

“Learning from him the last few years has been a great thing,” says Stang. “Dave had me coach third base the past two years. He gave me the freedom to do what I need to do.

“It won’t be a huge transition.”

Miley’s wife, Andrea, is from Franklin County and he is still local and in contact with Stang.

With his connections, Miley has helped bring Marty Brenneman, Tom Browning and Ron Oester to town for “A Night With A Legend” team fundraisers.

There is continuity on the staff since pitching coach Brett Rauch, junior varsity coach Scott Carie, freshmen coach Randy Bolos and volunteers Roger Miller and Gene Hodges are all returnees.

“That consistency is going to help a lot,” says Stang. “We know how we want to play.”

Stang plans to have his Wildcats playing a lively brand of baseball.

“We want to be aggressive — at the plate or on the bases,” says Stang. “We want to put pressure on the defense and make them make plays.”

When the other team is at the plate, he wants Franklin County fielders to make the the routine plays.

“We do not want to get too sped up on defense,” says Stang. “That starts with pitchers throwing strikes.”

Pitchers who can’t find the zone have a tendency to put their defense to sleep.

“Staying in the game is half the battle sometimes,” says Stang. “We also want to cut down on our number of strikeouts. Even the guys with the most RBI’s last year had too many strikeouts.”

During the current limited contact time when teams can practice two times a week for two hours, Stang and his coaching staff are trying to make the most of the opportunity.

“It’s a challenge this year,” says Stang. “We’ve got varsity, JV and freshmen in a two-hour time period and trying to get pitchers to get their pitch counts up.”

Players spend half their time at hitting stations then rotate to an agility station.

When it comes to defensive work, players are grouped by position. Catchers do a progression drill that focuses on receiving the ball, a POP drill that emphasizes footwork and a blocking drill.

In the old Brookville High School gym, infielders concentrate on fundamentals and take some ground balls. Middle infielders get some double play reps and work on communication.

Outfielders do zig-zag and angle drills — the latter to help prevent a gapper from turning from a single into a double.

“We utilize every foot of that space,” says Stang. “We make the most of it and get done what we can get done.”

Stang expects to have program numbers in the high 30’s this year.

In recent years, the Wildcats have sent players on to college baseball. Joe Monroe, Blake Ripperger and Jake Fields went to Miami University Hamilton and Brennan Meyers to Wright State University-Lake Campus.

Many players take part in travel baseball while participate in the Franklin County Recreational Baseball League (T-ball through age 12) and Franklin County Babe Ruth League (ages 13-15).

Each June, Stang, Rauch and some FCHS players conduct a youth camp. The youngsters who look up to the high schoolers enjoy being taught by them. There is also a youth night during the spring where kids get into the game free by wearing their uniform and are recognized on the field.

Franklin County plays its home games on its campus. This year the facility will be named Jim Hughes Field in honor of the former coach and educator at Brookville and Franklin County. The Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Famer died Nov. 12, 2018.

Franklin County (enrollment around 750) is part of an IHSAA Class 3A sectional grouping with Batesville, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Madison Consolidated, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn.

A member of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference, Franklin County competes with Batesville, Connersville, East Central, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, Rushville Consolidated and South Dearborn. In 2018, the EIAC went to a format where each team played a home-and-home series against each other on Mondays and Thursdays and that will continue in 2019.

Stang also played basketball at Franklin County for coach Josh Johnson. He was an assistant coach at the high school the past four years and switched to eighth grade this winter.

He has also been a baseball and basketball assistant at Daleville High School and coached basketball at the AAU level for the Spiece program and at Zionsville Junior High.

A math teacher at FCHS, Stang attended Indiana University in Bloomington and received his degree from Indiana University Purdue University-Indianapolis.

Derek and Heather Stang have a daughter — Amelia. She turned 1 on Thursday, Feb. 7. Heather is a sixth grade teacher at Mt. Carmel Elementary in Cedar Grove, Ind.

Derek Stang is heading into his first season as head baseball coach at Franklin County High School in Brookville, Ind. He is a 2007 FCHS graduate and has served the past four seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater.