Estancia baseball coach Kevin Conlin with his father and assistant coach Chris Conlin and Chris Conlin’s first grand-son River Frost, son of his daughter. (Photo courtesy Conlin family)
Estancia High’s baseball coach Kevin Conlin seems to be enjoying his second season leading the Eagles, who are in a four-way tie for first place in the Orange Coast League entering the final week of the regular season.
Estancia (13-11, 8-5) hopes to clinch a share of the league title with games on Tuesday and Wednesday against Saddeback.
“We’re in every game; we just have to find a way to close it out,” said Conlin, who played baseball at University High and UCLA. “We still have a big week next week but league is a mess right now (with the log jam) so we will see what happens. We have to win two games next week.”
One of Conlin’s assistants has been his father Chris Conlin, the former long-time baseball coach at University High who he played for during his high school career. Kevin Conlin graduated from Uni in 2001.
“I brought him along and he’s doing a great job,” Kevin Conlin said. “The kids really respect him and we can’t get him to retire. It’s good having him out here.
“It’s good just to spend time with my dad. We’re really close and to have him out here helping these young kids is a big thing for them too. It’s a lot of fun.”
Chris Conlin coaches the outfielders and he also provides encouragement to his son.
“Pam (Chris’s wife) and I are very proud of Kevin,” Chris Conlin said. “He’s worked very hard and has asked his players to make a 100 percent commitment.”
Since retiring from University, Chris Conlin has had a number of coaching assignments. He was an assistant football coach at Crean Lutheran and most recently has been Northwood’s wrestling coach.
He’s also been spending time as a grand-father. His first grand-son, River Frost, the son of his daughter Kimberly Frost, turned 1-years-old this weekend.
Chris Conlin is also looking forward to the arrival of another grand-son.
“Kevin and his wife (Hillary) are expecting their first child in July, a boy,” Chris Conlin said.
But for the next couple of weeks, with Estancia appearing to he headed to the CIF playoffs, the focus will still be on baseball.
Which is just fine in the Conlin household.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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