CANFIELD BASEBALL COACH’S CORNER (EP 1) WITH MATT WEYMER
CANFIELD, OH- Canfield High School’s baseball program is gearing up for an exciting new chapter under the leadership of its newly appointed head coach, Matt Weymer. This first episode of “Canfield Baseball Coach’s Corner” with host DJ Yokley provided a deep dive into Weymer’s past experiences, his passion for the game, and his anticipations for Canfield’s future.
Weymer comes to Canfield with a rich history, having previously found success at Springfield and Ursuline. Speaking on his coaching journey, Weymer shared, “When you start coaching, you’re just so excited to get that first job. And I was really lucky at Springfield to kind of have that success.” He attributed much of his growth and development to these early experiences.
Reflecting on his tenure as an assistant coach at Canfield under Gary Niddle, Weymer noted the value of stepping back to gain new perspectives. “I had never been an assistant before,” he explained. “[It] really allowed me to kind of take that aerial view, if you will, and just really recharge my batteries a little bit.”
For Weymer, taking on this role is personal and deeply entwined with his family. Living in Canfield, coaching at Canfield, and having his young son Phil by his side represent a unique and fulfilling opportunity. “Phil’s probably the most excited person,” Weymer enthused. “When we told him that I was going to get the job, he said, ‘Does this mean I get to go with the baseball boys all the time?’”
#### Balancing Tradition with Innovation
When it comes to traditions, Weymer is mindful about ensuring they retain their meaning. The Canfield baseball team has a tradition of bleaching their hair — a practice that has sparked curiosity. When asked about it, Weymer said, “Sometimes traditions can run out their welcome. Sometimes you do them not because you buy into what it means, but just because, well, they’ve always done it, so we have to do it.”
He added, “I want the kids to feel like it means something, you know, to get back in touch with this idea of, hey, yeah, it’s a tradition, but…why don’t we find out what the root of that tradition was?”
Key to Weymer’s approach is fostering a transparent line of communication between himself, his players, and their parents. “A big part of it’s just communication with the kids, the parents. You want to be as transparent as possible,” Weymer emphasized. “If you’re upfront and you’re transparent, and then you stick to those principles…every kid deserves to be coached. Every kid should reach their full potential.”
The future looks bright for Canfield baseball, especially given the wealth of talent returning to the field. Weymer is excited to leverage this potential, stating, “The expectations couldn’t be higher…as a coach, that’s what you would want. You want to take over a situation where people expect great things from you.”
With a solid foundation under previous coaches and a clear vision for the program’s advancement, Weymer is set to lead the Canfield Cardinals into an era of continued excellence. “Can’t feel baseball is and always, hopefully, will be very successful,” he concluded, capturing the spirit of optimism and determination that he brings to the role.
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