Bob Flint puts retirement plans on hold and returns as pitching coach for Northwood baseball team

Bob Flint gets a hug from Woodbridge coach during a retirement ceremony last season as players from Woodbridge and Corona del Mar look on.

Bob Flint’s retirement from coaching high school baseball didn’t last too long.

The long-time coach was honored last May by Woodbridge and head coach Ryan Brucker in a retirement ceremony along with John Emme, who was retiring from coaching at Corona del Mar.

At the time, Flint, then the pitching coach for Woodbridge, said it was time for him to retire.

But this week, Flint confirmed that retirement plans are on hold and he’s returning to help out at Northwood, where he will be the pitching coach for Rob Stuart’s Timberwolves.

“Yeah, I tried to retire, but I failed at it,” Flint told OC Sports Zone. “Fortunately Stu welcomed me back in the fold. Last year, we had a chance to go see Jared, who lives in Hong Kong with his with wife and two year old. We needed to leave before the season ended.

“It seemed like a good time to give up the coaching gig after 50 years. That lasted a couple months, and I’ll only be 74 years old in February, so I’ll be starting the second half of my career. There’s something about this game that I just love.

“I’m sure the day will come when I’ll give it up, but I have no idea when that will be. I may have reached that exaulsted pinnacle of being the oldest baseball coach in Orange County, if so, I’ll wear that badge as long as I’m having a good time.”

Stuart, the Northwood coach, confirmed that he was pleased to have Flint on his staff.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com