Changing of the Guard

Coach Greg Vincent takes a moment to speak with players.

Coaches Greg Vincent, Stan Head leave Post 68 with legacy of success

Every road comes to an end. Following two consecutive senior state championships, coach Greg Vincent said it’s time for himself and Post 68 to take different paths.

“I told the kids, I’m done,” Vincent said. “It’s been fun. I love American Legion baseball. It’s something special. When those kids wear the flag on their uniform, it’s something different.”

Vincent has been involved in American Legion baseball since he was 15 years old, and Post 68 for the last six with stops as a high school coach along his 40-year coaching path. Now, nearing 63 years of age, Vincent said the time has come to turn the program over and pursue other interests.

He leaves the program in good shape, with several players eligible to return, state junior and senior championships, support from the Post and six consecutive winning seasons.

Vincent said long-time Livingston coach Stan Head is also stepping down.

“When [his son] Cameron was done, I knew Stan wanted to watch him play [in college],” Vincent said. “It’s time for somebody else to take this program. I just hope we can find somebody as passionate as we were. And that’s the kicker right there. I loved coaching high school, but it’s nothing like coaching American Legion baseball.”

Vincent said the level of competition is typically higher in American Legion, but the devotion and dedication by players increased.

“Some of the kids that play high school baseball are just on the team because they want to get a uniform,” Vincent said. “Kids that play American Legion baseball are probably wanting to play at the next level, they love the game, they’re coachable and they’re eager to learn. But the passion they have for the game is just different than high school.”

Vincent said Legion ball also exposes players to more consistent competition.

In August, his team saw some of the country’s best at the American Legion Great Lakes Regional tournament in Charleston, Illinois. Post 68 entered the tournament as the state champions, falling to eventual champions Danville, Illinois after opening the tournament with a win.

“The first game, I was proud of them,” Vincent said. “We played well. We played Danville the second game, and they won the whole thing. We played probably the worst defensive game we played all year. We dropped a fly ball in the first and gave them a run. We made two errors in the fourth and gave them three. We battled back, tied it up, and we dropped two fly balls. It just killed us.

“It’s no doubt in my mind we had the best team there, but after the mistake filled game against Danville, we just kind of lost it a little bit.”

Post 68 fell to the Illinois Post 210 7-6. In the contest, Drew Cooper was 2-for-2 and Gabe Board was 2-for-3. Cameron Dean had two RBIs off one hit.

Bob Harbison of Post 68 with Drew Cooper.

Brady Betts took the loss on the mound, giving up eight hits and striking out five batters across 107 pitches. Board came in for relief, striking out one batter on 19 pitches while giving up no hits.

In their final game, Post 68 fell 6-3 to Post 171 of Gladwin Michigan.

Last year, the post won its first state tournament in program history, earning a spot to compete in the Southeast division.

“It’s an odd way to end, but this regional was a lot different than last year,” Vincent said. “It just wasn’t meant to be, but we had the best kids there. They conducted themselves well.

“There’s some guys that played with us that have no idea how good they can be. Gabe Board, Cade Duncan, Cameron Head, Davis Corbett, Drew Cooper; these kids don’t realize. There’s nothing wrong with playing other sports, but now that they’re in college and just playing baseball — and concentrating their lifting and everything toward that sport — wow. It’s going to be interesting to see how they do.”

During his run, Vincent was focused not just on finding good baseball players, but on bringing in quality individuals.

“We didn’t have success because of the coaching, we had it because of the kids,” Vincent said. “We had kids that loved the game and gave it all they had. There’s no such thing as a great coach. Good coaches just get lucky enough to have great kids play for them. I’ve been pretty damn lucky to have some great kids play for me.

“That’s what it’s all about. Watching those kids grow up. I hear from them when they get married, when they have kids. We don’t usually talk about baseball, the wins and the losses. That’s what makes it worth it.”

Coach Greg Vincent watches as son Jay, a Post 68 alumni, throws out the first pitch of the 2019 season.

For the post, those players came from a mix of attracting talent through the program’s success and scouting athletes throughout the year. Bob Harbison of Post 68 said player discussions and watching tape starts in the winter months ahead of the season’s start.

Harbison said the search for a new coach will begin in time, but whoever takes over the reigns may have some solid returning players.

“I was surprised by the number of guys that are eligible to come back next year,” Harbison said. “Some of them will probably play in a college league or something, but I think we’ve got nine eligible to come back.”

Part of the draw for many area players has been Vincent and Head’s ability to help with finding a place to play after high school.

“For at least the last three years, everybody who has wanted to play college ball has,” Vincent said. “We’ve been very involved. There’s a few that wouldn’t be playing if we hadn’t found them a home, but that’s just part of what you do.

“I love doing that part of it. I think I’ve had over 200 kids that have gone on to play college baseball. Since I took over Post 68, we’ve sent close to 40 [to college] in the last six years. That means we’re doing something right. We’re getting quality kids who want to play baseball.

For now, Vincent said his plans are open.

“I’m going to travel a little bit and I’m going to relax some,” Vincent said. “Enjoy myself. There’s a lot of factors in my decision, but it’s time. But I’ve loved it. I’ve loved it since I was 15 years old. I still watch it and talk about it every day. But somebody a lot younger than me needs to go.”