Perrysburg baseball coach Hall gains 500th victory

Perrysburg baseball coach Dave Hall THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Perrysburg baseball coach Dave Hall picked up his 500th career win Saturday as the Yellow Jackets took an 8-1 victory over Findlay in a Division I sectional semifinal at Carter Park in Bowling Green.Hall (500-274), who is in his 27th season at Perrysburg, has guided the Jackets to six Northern Lakes League titles and two trips to the state tournament.

"It's nice to have, no question," Hall said of reaching the milestone. "But, going into the game Saturday all we wanted to do is win that tournament game.

"I didn't care if it was the first one, the 10th one, or that [500th] one. We've been struggling [12-7 record] and I really can't remember the last time we lost our first tournament game. That was the most important objective, and the kids played really well. That was the best game we've played all year."

Last season, Perrysburg claimed the NLL crown with a 13-1 league record and advanced to the state championship game before falling 6-2 to Liberty Township Lakota East to finish 26-4. Hall's 2003 team advanced to the state semifinals before bowing out.

"It's sort of nice to reflect and think about all the people that made this possible," Hall said. "From my team back in 1986 when I started here, to all my assistant coaches. I've really been blessed with some great coaches.

"I've been associated with players and coaches who have bought into our system, and we've been successful because of the people I've been associated with. "It's more about the people you're associated with than what you did. You just sort of direct a program, and people have to buy in and work hard."

Hall said he received numerous notes congratulating him.

"Facebook is sort of nice because just about every player you've ever coached seems to be on there now," Hall said. "I got some comments from some guys back for the 1986, 1987, 1988 teams, and the more recent teams.