SB High’s Luna named Nor Cal Coach of the Year
He guided the San Benito High School baseball team to a school
record 29-win season, a league title and a trip to the championship
game in the Central Coast Section playoffs
– which is why it was somewhat of a surprise when Balers head
coach Michael Luna wasn’t named Coach of the Year in the Tri County
Athletic League.
SB High’s Luna named Nor Cal Coach of the Year
He guided the San Benito High School baseball team to a school record 29-win season, a league title and a trip to the championship game in the Central Coast Section playoffs – which is why it was somewhat of a surprise when Balers head coach Michael Luna wasn’t named Coach of the Year in the Tri County Athletic League.
That bitter taste got a whole lot sweeter for Luna, who recently learned that he was named the top coach in all of Northern California by Nor Cal Preps.
“One of my assistant coaches asked me if I thought that was ironic. I said, ‘Yes it is,'” Luna said. “But winning this award was great. It’s always great to be recognized by a Web site, magazine or other coaches. It’s really the players’ award as much as it is mine. You have to have the players. Good players are what make coaches look good. You have to have the players first. From there, it’s all about making them believe in my system and what I’m trying to teach. That’s when good things happen.”
What’s also ironic is that Luna was named for the prestigious award over Valley Christian’s baseball coach John Diatte – the same coach that Luna’s Balers lost to in the CCS title game.
Since coming to San Benito High in 2005, Luna’s program has been one of the top public school baseball programs in the section, winning more games every year than the previous year.
In 2005, his squad posted a 22-9 record. Last year the Balers went 24-5 before picking up the school-record 29 wins this season.
“That is a record that could stand for a long, long time,” he said.
Luna could be right. Next year the section is allowing each school to participate in a maximum of 30 games before the playoffs start.
“I guess that means the only way we’ll be able to keep the streak alive is to go undefeated,” Luna said.
Although that is highly unlikely it isn’t impossible, considering that the Balers lost only five athletes to graduation this year, and will have 13 returning players on the roster at the start of the 2008 campaign.
“I really think we’re going to be a better team next year,” Luna said. “It’s going to be awfully tough to go undefeated and win 30 games, but I do think we will be better next year than we were this year.”
Just this week, Luna’s Balers wrapped up their summer ball schedule. Over the last six weeks, the team played in 30 games in a number of tournaments while posting a 20-10 record.
“In the summer time, winning is not the most important thing,” Luna said. “This time of year it’s about player development. It’s a time to get a look at the up and coming freshman and sophomore players to see whether or not they have a chance to compete for a spot at the varsity level.”
