Westfield announces Ryan Wetherington as head baseball coach

PERRY Ga. — Following the resignation of head coach Rob Fitzpatrick, the Westfield Hornets needed someone to step in and take over a growing baseball program.

They didn’t have to look too far. In fact, all they had to do was look at their list of assistant coaches.

Ryan Wetherington has been an assistant coach for the Westfield varsity baseball team since 2018, and as recent as last season coached two championship teams: Varsity softball and middle school baseball.

Here are some of the questions we had for him:

Quotes and questions are edited for clarity.

What led you to accept this position as head coach?

“Working under coach Fitz, I really learned from him and everything he brought to the game. I just thought I could bring something extra to the table as well. We’ve got a good group of young kids, we graduated ten seniors, so we’re losing a lot of experience there. Still a lot of young talent, I’m excited to work with them and see what we can develop.”

How has your past experience as an assistant and head coach for softball/middle school baseball prepared you for this role?

“Like I said working under coach Fitz, I learned a lot from him. He let me get my hands dirty. He let me get real involved in the program, from helping practice schedules all the way to helping schedule games. I think with that and coach Camp before him, he kind of did the same thing with me, so both of them allowing me to get my hands dirty and get in with the actual development of the program has prepared me for the next level.”

The program has seen some positive momentum in the last couple of years, what’s something you can do to help take it to the next level?

“A lot of what we’ve been doing, it’s on an upswing … we’re starting some summer workout stuff trying to get them involved in the summer a little bit more than we have been. Hopefully that’ll help get us to the next level as well.”

What made you want to make baseball such a big part of your life?

“My dad played; I started playing at a young age. I love the game. I love everything about it. I love the competitiveness and the bond you form with your teammates. Just being able to share that with these kids and help develop them into not only good baseball players but into good young men. Into somebody that can go out into the community and really make an impact, that’s what it’s all about.

What’s one thing you want the kids you coach to remember no matter what?

“Compete. Never give up, always fight. It’s not over until it’s over.”

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