I am writing in response to The Post editorial letter that appeared on Monday, May 7. I have been in Athens for more than 35 years and have followed Ohio University baseball ever since arriving in town.
I have known Bill Toadvine during most of his coaching career at the university and feel I can call Bill a close friend. Like the writer of the letter, Joe DiPietro, I agree that Bill was “one hell of a great man.”
Currently, I hold the position of Director of Operations for the OU baseball program. Both before I was a member of the baseball staff and today as the director of operations, I have worked with head coach Joe Carbone and other members of the athletic department to properly remember Bill’s legacy.
Shortly after Bill’s unexpected death a little more than six years ago, coach Carbone, the athletic department and OU made the decision to name the home bullpen after the late coach.
At that time, the bullpen was named and dedicated in honor of Bill Toadvine and a plaque commemorating the event was unveiled. The dedication, a formal event, was attended by family and friends of the late coach.
At the time of dedication, Coach Carbone and the athletic department made the commitment to develop the bullpen area at Bob Wren Stadium in Bill’s vision — a pitcher development center where an athlete could pitch, improve his strength and agility and rehabilitate from injuries while at the ballpark.
Since the dedication of the bullpen, the area has been enlarged, two additional pitcher’s mounds added, an area for weight training established, and the surface of the pen was replaced with field turf, an all-weather material.
With the entire bullpen redeveloped, several weeks ago a large banner was added by the baseball program and the athletic department so that those that attend Bob Wren Stadium will more clearly know that the bullpen is named after this great husband, father, teacher and friend of OU.
In short, there has been a dedication of the Bill Toadvine Bullpen that was open to family, friends and the general public; the development of the home bullpen area is basically complete; and I for one feel it is something to be proud of and something that will service OU baseball for many years to come.
John Kotowski is the director of operations for OU baseball
