Family is key for retiring Tigers coach

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Retiring Lyndonville varsity baseball coach Shane Price with his two youngsters Emersyn and Gatlin.

For over 75 years now Lyndonville High has had a very successful program on the varsity baseball diamond and for the past 20 years the Tigers very successful run has continued under the leadership of Coach Shane Price.

In guiding the Tigers diamond family his teams have earned half a dozen Genesee Region League Division titles, 3 Section V championships and a trip to the state semifinals.

However, now he has decided to step away as the Tigers coach to be able to spend more time with his own personal family team as his two youngsters, Gatlin and Emersyn are now six and three. Gatlin is already playing T-Ball and has signed up for soccer.

“I love the game and love coaching,” he said. “The game will always be there but my kids will only be young once. I love being a dad (Dada or Daddy) and look forward to seeing them grow and running them around as they chase down their dreams.”

Baseball to be sure has been a huge part of his life since he was 12 and he credits three men for being key role models for him over the years – his coach at Hilton High Ory Mee, his father Thomas Price and his long time assistant coach at Lyndonville Mark Hughes.

“What do you say when you’ve been blessed,” he said. “Since the age of 12 I have chased around a little white ball with laces. I was very fortunate to have a great man, Coach Ory Mee, introduce me to the game in seventh grade. My father coached and ran me everywhere fostering my love of the game. And ever since I came to Lyndonville Mark has been that person who has always been there for me as a coach and a teacher.”

Wins and championships are to be sure special to any coach but for Price it has been his players and their futures that are most important.

“I don’t know where I would be without baseball,” he added. “I’ve had some great teams but more than that I’ve had some great kids. It’s what they go on to do in their lives that is the big thing and I’m pretty happy what they’ve done.”

Coach Shane Price on the diamond hitting infield practice.