With the resignation of Shawn Graham from the Houlton High School varsity baseball program, the SAD 29 school board has named Jim Castner as Graham’s successor.
INSTRUCTION — Houlton varsity baseball catcher Jacob Drew, left, gets instruction on framing the ball from new coach Jim Castner, while both were working with players at the United States Baseball Academy spring training program.
Castner was hired on March 11.
Last year, Castner was the junior varsity baseball coach at Houlton High School and he has was junior varsity baseball coach at Hermon High School for two years. In college, Castner completed the coaching course with Walt Abbott, former UMaine athletic director and football coach.
“My goal has always been to become a varsity baseball coach,” said Castner, who teaches high school social studies, mainly world history in Houlton. “I’m extremely excited to do it this early in my career.”
Castner graduated high school from Victor Senior High School in Victor, N.Y. He was a member of the state championship team in 2004 and an All-Conference player in 2005.
“I played catcher in high school and that really helped me prepare for being a coach,” he said. “The preparation and just thinking for the entire game made me [realize] more than just ‘see ball, hit ball.’”
After high school, Castner went on to Finger Lakes Community College in New York state where he caught and pitched on the collegiate level. He was named an Academic All-American in 2007.
He transferred to the University of Maine Orono where he received his bachelor of science in education and bachelor of arts in history in 2009. However, he did not play for the Black Bears baseball team.
This year’s Shiretowners are considered to be very young.
“We have only a few upperclassmen,” Castner said. “However, even though we may not have the experience, we have a roster full of talent and enthusiasm. I believe that a team of motivated and highly-energized players can succeed.”
Under Graham, the Shiretowners were very successful, as they earned a postseason spot in six of seven years. Last year, Houlton fell in the quarterfinals to Mattanawcook Academy.
“This year, I want to have a team of responsible young men who can look themselves in the mirror after each game and practice and know that they tried their hardest,” said Castner. “If we can accomplish that, success will follow.
“I want to instill hustle, discipline, and eliminate mental mistakes,” he added. “Physical mistakes are going to happen, but mental mistakes can cost a team a ballgame.”
The Houlton Shiretowners first game of the year is set for Tuesday, April 23 when Presque Isle visits for a 4 p.m. game. They finish April out with two more home games, Monday, April 29 against Mattanawcook Academy and Tuesday, April 30, Caribou. Both games are at 4 p.m., depending upon the weather.
