If it wasn't for his wife, Terrie, Ron McNutt may have not coached the Carson Capitols this long.
McNutt had made the Capitols a constant for some of the nation's top amateur baseball since 1978, coaching the team every year since then. But McNutt has decided to no longer coach the team as the Capitols will not compete this summer. Also no more is the Capitol Classic, another tradition which brought some of the nation's top amateur teams to Ron McNutt Field every summer.
Terrie has been just as much of a constant at Ron McNutt Field as her husband and the coach said it's now time to pay his wife back.
"It's kind of a mutual agreement with my wife and I," said McNutt about the decision to no longer coach the Capitols. "We've done this for a long time. It wasn't anything to do with the kids.
"We wanted to enjoy something else. Without her, I wouldn't have been doing it as long as I have."
McNutt said it's been mainly due to his wife's support that he's been able "to do what I love. I want to spend some time with her."
Whenever a long-time coach such as McNutt steps down from one position, there's always speculation that his job as Carson High baseball coach could be next. McNutt said that isn't the case. McNutt recorded his 600th win with the Senators on Thursday in an 8-3 victory against Wooster.
"I didn't say anything about giving up the program, yet," McNutt said.
McNutt also took over as Carson High's athletic director this year. He said he hopes to continue in both positions as athletic director and baseball coach.
"I hope to remain as athletic director," he said. "At least that's my plan.
"I hope to continue with the (baseball) program here for at least another year. I still enjoy the game."
As long as his health holds up, he plans to keep coaching the Senator baseball team, McNutt said.
"If it gets to a point where it becomes a chore for me to get out here, that's the time for me to get out."
McNutt said he basically made the decision to step down from the Capitols at the end of their season last summer. He said the grind of the Capitol Classic and a 60 to 70 game season had much to do with the decision.
Carson still has a top level amateur program in the Carson Cardinals, McNutt said. The Cardinals have hosted the USABA World Series in recent years.
But for many of the top players in the area, the Capitols will still leave a void. McNutt said one reason for the Capitols was to give area players a chance to play at a higher level.
Last summer's team had five players who are now at Division I programs: Galena's Joey Hooft (Miami), Dustin Hahn (LSU) and Billy Paganetti (Stanford); Reed's Bub Madrid (Nevada); and Dustin Pedroia (Arizona State).
Among the other top players to compete for the Capitols is J.P. Howell, now a pitcher at USC. There have also numerous Capitol players to move on to professional and Major League ranks.
"We had some outstanding kids go through the program," McNutt said. "That's what it was all about."
McNutt still will not be out of coaching this summer. He will coach a 16 and under team sponsored by the Seattle Mariners that will participate in the Goodwill Series in China.
Rob Williams, a Mariners' scout, who played for McNutt with the Capitols, will coach the team along with McNutt. McNutt said Senators Willie Bowman, Scott DeFriez, Aaron Henry and Jake Rasner were among those who could make that team.
"They are the type of kids which we look for to take to this type of international play," McNutt said.
