In 1990 there was a new coach for the Elder High School baseball team his name is Mark Thompson. He started off his career with a win against Mt. Healthy winning 8 to 2. That was win number 1 on his career and in 2015 he has reached win number 500.

A GCL matchup against St. X was set for Thompsons 500^th win and it sure was a good old fashioned GCL matchup. The Panthers were victorious with a 5 to 0 win and Thompson had secured his 500^th win.

Sam Coffaro a senior on the squad has been on the team for 2 years now and he had a few words to say, “I’m happy to be part of 38 of his 500 wins. Elder Baseball has such a rich tradition and it is people like Coach Thompson that keep that tradition going.”

I myself have been contributed 53 win to his big 500. I have played with him for 3 years now and he cares more about the game of baseball than anyone I know. He has been around the game his whole life and he knows how to play the game right and that is one thing he teaches all his players.

Coach Thompson teaches his players to play the game with respect and to always play against the game and not against the opponent. He pushes his teams to be the best they can possibly and that is why Elder Baseball has such a rich tradition.

Since Coach Thompson has taken the reigns of Elder’s baseball program in 1990 his teams have won 6 GCL championships, 9 district titles, and 2 state titles (1999 and 2005). He has a record of 423-167 making him the winningest coach in Elder baseball history.

As the season continues the Panthers look to stay on track and make a run at a state title and lead Coach Thompson to more wins and his coaching career continues.

Click on the link below to read an article by Adam Baum former Elder baseball manager on Coach Thompsons 500th win and what it meant to him.

Thompson’s 500th