Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

When Larry Goodwin was a small boy living near the old Beechwood Park, he would ask members of the Ironton baseball team for autographs. After all, they were state champions.

Goodwin wants to return to those days. Well, not asking for autographs but rather challenging for state titles.

The former Ironton Fighting Tigers All-Ohio slugger will have the opportunity after being hired as the new head baseball coach Tuesday by Ironton City Schools Board of Education.

“I’m just hoping to build the program back to the way it was in the 70s and 80s and 90s,” said Goodwin. “I ultimately want to win games and win a state championship, but individually I want to help kids to reach their goals to play at the next level.”

Goodwin knows about playing at the next level. He was signed by Cleveland State and was later drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

“I think I can help players because of what I went through. It’s very competitive right now. Everybody has information on you. You compete against other high school kids and junior college kids,” said Goodwin.

“I want to get Ironton back on track and I want to help kids meet whatever level their ability takes them. I want to do those two things.”

Goodwin has spent his life coaching and teaching baseball.

He coached the Ohio Red Storm travel team the last three years and his teams won tournaments in Columbus and Cincinnati. The team won the Greenup County area fall tournament this past fall.

Goodwin has also served as an assistant coach at Rock Hill under former coach Wes Hairston and one fall season as an assistant coach at Marshall University.

He also gives hitting lessons.

“As you can see, I’m ate up with baseball,” said Goodwin.

Goodwin was a power-hitting outfielder for Ironton with a strong arm and great speed. He played under coach Mike Burcham.