After 30 years of teaching and coaching at Andover, Coach Andy Cline ended his career with a bang in a 5-2 win against Exeter. Over 23 seasons as head coach of Varsity Baseball, his team earned 250 victories, suffered only 130 defeats and won seven league championships. Captain Bennett Carroccio ’10 said, “Saturday’s game was the perfect ending to our season. When we won, the feeling was far greater and more fulfilling than I would have ever imagined. Coach Cline deserves to end his coaching career victoriously in front of a group of athletes that love him.” A maple tree was planted beyond the left field fence to thank the coach for his dedication to the school and baseball program. Alumni, friends and family gathered to watch the ceremonies beforehand and see their beloved coach’s final victory. Coach Kevin Graber said, “This game was a great conclusion to both our season and Coach Cline’s career. For Coach Cline and the team to finish on this high note in front of alumni, family and friends, it’s all I could have asked for.” Cline has always loved baseball more than any other sport. He said, “I started playing as soon as I could pick up a bat. I played other sports, but I had a particular passion for baseball. It was always more interesting for me, since it is so challenging both physically and mentally.” Cline began coaching baseball his Junior year of college, after playing on the team for two years. After graduating, he taught math at a public school in Herea, Ohio and coached both baseball and football. Six years later, in 1979, Cline came to Andover where he assisted former head coach Hale Sturgess until 1986, when he took over as head coach. In 1995, he coached his first championship-winning team. Cline recalled one of his favorite coaching memories, as he had chosen a certain player to pitch relief instead of starting. Cline said, “It happened that he was playing right field in a crucial moment of the game, and instead of sulking and being disappointed that he wasn’t pitching, he made the key defensive play of the game. He was doing what his team needed him to do to help us win. That was what the whole team was about, and that’s why we won that game and had our first championship.” Cline coached his team to league championship victory again in 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2007 and 2008. Cline said his fondest memories have always been vivid and clear. He said, “I can still think of particular hits and still feel that ball coming off the bat or unwind a specific play in my mind and feel the ball in my glove followed by a good throw.” Coaching added to Cline’s enjoyment of the game and gave him a new perspective on the sport. “Now I can add on top of these moments when it wasn’t me but the players I was coaching and watching them have success and getting the big hit, making the play, or throwing a good pitch.” Cline sees the game as belonging to the players and not to him, but he is a part of the team. “My goal as the head coach of the Andover Baseball Program has been to have focus on the players, their efforts and their successes. I’m there to help them, but it’s not about me. It’s about them.” His view of baseball has benefited not only players, but also other coaches throughout the years. Graber said, “First and foremost, Coach Cline is a communicator. He teaches the game like the exceptional classroom instructor he is.” Carrocio said, “Coach Cline has made me a student of the game. Because of him, I no longer just watch games to see the Yankees win, but I now study each player on the screen and learn from their actions in different situations.” As Saturday’s game drew to a close, Cline said that he was “remembering fondly all the kids and coaches and games. I’m going to miss it. No doubt about it.”
