Delone Catholic High School in McSherrystown announced October 7 that Jim Smith has been named the 16th varsity baseball coach in school history.
“We are thrilled to have Coach Smith leading the Delone Catholic baseball program,” said Delone Catholic Athletic Director Timothy N. Bonitz, Jr. “He has been a big part of the program’s on-field success since his time as a student-athlete. More importantly, he has had a great relationship with student-athletes over the years, and he takes great pride in preparing them for life off the field.”
Smith is a 1982 graduate of Delone Catholic High School and was the 1982 recipient of the school’s J.T. Flaherty Award, presented to a student-athlete in good academic standing, with an excellent disciplinary record, and who lettered in at least one sport, but preferably two or more. Smith was a letter winner in football, wrestling, and baseball. He brings a wealth of coaching experience, serving the Delone Baseball program as both a varsity assistant coach and/or head JV coach since 2008.
During his 14-year tenure with the program, which spans the last three head coaches, the Squires have won seven YAIAA Division IV championships. They have also reached the PIAA District 3 playoffs 10 times, winning the program’s first District 3 championship in 2013, and qualified for the PIAA playoffs twice. Smith has also played a key role in preparing members of the baseball program for success at the next level. Numerous players have gone on to play in college, including his son, Brett Smith ’13, who graduated as Bucknell University’s all-time leader in games played, at bats and hits. He was the 2014 Patriot League Rookie of the Year, 2017 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, and a three-time all-league selection. Smith has also coached the junior high football team at Delone Catholic since 2008.
Smith and his wife, Patty, also a 1982 Delone Catholic graduate, have been among the most dedicated volunteers to the school’s Athletic Association over the past several decades. Their three children, Jessica ’05, Lindsay ’08, and Brett, are all Delone Catholic alumni.
Smith takes the helm of a Squires team that finished the 2021 season 11-9, marking its first winning season since 2015. The team’s 9-6 league record was good for second place in YAIAA Division IV, and the Squires reached the District 3 playoffs for the first time since 2016.
(Photo courtesy of Delone Catholic.)
By Lauren Gross, Special to The Witness
