Pirate coach resigns

By KEVIN KELLY and JAMAL THALJI

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 21, 2000

DADE CITY -- Six years as Pasco's softball coach was enough for Jim Ward.

Ward resigned June 3 because he wants to take classes at South Florida but will continue to teach at Pasco.

"I think at first I'll definitely miss it," said Ward, whose overall record at Pasco was 63-92. "Then when I look and see all the away-from-the-ballpark time, all the free time I have, I'll realize that I enjoy having that free time."

He took over the Pirates in 1995 and had success in the first three years.

Pasco went 13-9 in Ward's first season and followed that with a 15-9 season, when it was the district runner-up. The Pirates again had a winning record in 1997 -- winning the district and finishing 15-12 -- but lost 20 or more games the next three seasons.

They finished 7-20 in 1998, 5-22 in 1999 and 8-20 this season.

"Last year and this year were really rebuilding years and trying to find some real good solid pitching and everything," he said. "I thought about (coming back). Next year, the talent is going to be there. There are going to be four seniors, two juniors and four sophomores coming back. It was a hard decision as far as that goes. At the same time, these are classes I have to take."

Ward said he will have a say in who takes over the program.

"When I turned in my resignation, I asked if I could have some input," he said. "It sounded like they wanted it."

"I think he worked hard," Pasco principal Pat Reedy said. "He wanted things to work well. He cared about the program."

One of Ward's first choices for a replacement is former Saint Leo coach Ray Carver, who now tutors players.

"Ray has experience," Ward said. "He's been away from the game as far as coaching, but he's been giving hitting, pitching and catching lessons for years. I'd love to see him get it."

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