MaxPreps Student Section.He's a chemistry teacher by day and the lead singer of "Fists of Rage" (a local rock band) by night. Sam Schaper isn't exactly your typical baseball coach.
In his younger days, he was a show stopping pitcher throwing upper 80s and low 90s. He went on to play college baseball at Wesleyan University until he hurt his arm and ended his career. In 2002, he decided to give coaching a try. Six years later, he found himself in
Nowata, Oklahoma as the head softball coach.
When homegrown coach Ty Hewitt stepped down, Coach Schaper was very eager to take his position. He had wanted to get back into coaching baseball for a while. In 2009, he became the head coach of the Ironmen baseball program. The team was coming from back to back district wins against Caney Valley in 2008 and Pawhuska in 2009. Schaper had some big shoes to fill.
When Schaper took over, he had one senior, a handful of juniors, and a bunch of underclassmen. Now, a year later, the juniors moved up and progressed into a multitalented group. "The team has come 100% from where they were. They are not the same team anymore. Their overall baseball IQ has increased. Schaper had some big shoes to fill. ", said Schaper of his improved team.
The vast improvements could not have been made without seniors like Blake Hilyard. Hilyard is a 6'2", 175 pound lefty with a wicked splitter. Pitchers are essential in this game and Hilyard has "really dedicated himself to the sport". After only having one senior last season, Schaper has been fond of the seven he has now. "They are an experienced group. They are quick and focused. Those are things that can't be taught", stated Schaper. Two of the seven seniors have the intent to play college baseball.
Several junior colleges and smaller universities have been looking at Hilyard and Jeremy Hensley, a talented short stop. Although the Ironmen only won five games last season, they have almost doubled their wins this season. The Ironmen have solid wins over Chelsea (5-1), Oklahoma Union (7-1), Foyil (13-1), Adair (9-0), and Tulsa-Webster (8-0). They have also been working with the underclassmen have a couple pitchers ready for when Hilyard leaves.
Schaper's team goal every year is to make it to the State Playoffs, but this year the team has a more specific goal. The goal of this 2011 season is to be a 500 team, win districts, and make the State Playoffs. Is Oklahoma ready for the Ironmen underdog?
