Inspiration-Grown Talent (From August 3)

Barry Craddock’s Fighting Scots of Wooster College have been to the College World Series five times, along with winning 12 NCAC titles and appearing in 24 National Tournaments.

The assistant coach of the Scots’ has been apart of Wooster College’s baseball world since 1990, when he enrolled as a freshman. After graduating in 1994, Craddock eventually landed his first coaching job at Denison College, where he went 182-130 as a head coach from 2000-2007.

However, the Ohio native wanted to return to his alma mater to continue his career at Wooster, arriving as an assistant coach.

“I grew up around here. All of my family and friends live in the area, and I just felt right about coming back,” said Craddock.

Learning from head coach Tim Pettorini, he found his niche at Wooster, becoming the liaison between player and head coach, and recruiting the talent from near and far. Craddock usually draws players from Ohio and Pennsylvania high schools. But he is not afraid to pluck a flamethrower or a hitter from far away. In the recent past, he has recruited in Virginia, North Carolina, and California.

But Wooster mostly prides their approach on the team chemistry that has existed in most of Craddock’s years at the school. “The reason why we we’re good is because we all like each other. Chemistry is our number 1 strength,” said Craddock.

Craddock admits that the Scots were not the most talented team at the College World Series this year, but the bond that existed between the players and the coaching staff propelled them to their 2nd place finish. It was the co-highlight of his baseball career, going along with his appearance in the CWS as a player for Wooster 15 years ago.

At the end of a player’s career, Craddock only wants them to experience the best they can while at Wooster. Every year, he believes they can make the tournament, and anything short is a disappointment.

And Craddock is not going away anytime soon.

“I have coached elsewhere, both at different schools and in the Lake Erie League, and I have no desires to move upward. Wooster is my home.”