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Click Here 40 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 10, 2003 Dominiak steps down after 19 years at Crater By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune The Crater High baseball program has produced a slew of top-flight pitchers during Chuck Dominiak’s tenure. Fitting, then, that the long-time coach, himself, has developed some pretty nasty stuff. "I’ve thrown so much batting practice through the years," says Dominiak, a former center fielder at Canby High and Western Oregon University in the late-1960s and early-’70s. "I can throw strikes blindfolded now. ... If I could, I would go back as a pitcher." Odds are the Comets wouldn’t change much about Dominiak’s 19 seasons in charge of what has become one of Oregon’s premier Class 4A programs. But Crater will have to continue its success without Dominiak, who has stepped down as head coach after retiring from teaching prior to Christmas break. "After 30 years of coaching, it’s just time to get out," says Dominiak, who turns 53 years old next week. "I’m tired of dealing with everything — the practices, the whole preparation. I can tell you when guys aren’t giving 100 percent, and the kids can tell when coaches aren’t." Dominiak was an assistant for five years at Sweet Home and spent five more years directing the Brookings-Harbor program before arriving at Crater in the fall of 1982. His Comet teams routinely challenged for Southern Oregon Conference supremacy, ultimately winning two crowns, and earned postseason berths in 15 of his 19 years. From 1996 to 2001, Crater enjoyed six straight seasons of at least 20 victories. That stretch was highlighted by the program’s first state championship in 2000 and a state semifinals run in 2001. The Comets were 17-10 overall, third in the SOC and lost in the first round of the state playoffs last spring. "There are a lot of great coaches around that when they retire, maybe they didn’t have an opportunity to win a state championship," says Dominiak, whose team defeated SOC rival North Medford, 5-2, to claim the 2000 crown. "That’s probably my best memory. That’s your ultimate goal as a coach. "The next year, we replaced seven starters and came within one game of going back to the state championship. That was a fun year." The Class 4A coach of the year in 2000 and winner of a similar honor from the Oregon Athletic Coaches Association in 2001, Dominiak recalls many fond moments and fine players from his run with the Comets. Among the exceptional athletes he guided are: Dean Hartgraves, who pitched for the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros; Rich Ireland, a pitcher selected in the third round of the 1992 Major League Baseball draft; Hans Smith, a left-handed reliever who is on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ 40-man roster; and Casey Campbell and Brent Foster, stalwarts off the 2000 squad who are now excelling in the collegiate ranks. In retirement, Dominiak plans to spend more time with his family — a need made all the more evident when his father passed away during a fishing trip on the Rogue River on Aug. 22. His mother has had recent health problems, and he envisions a possible move to Las Vegas to be near his two daughters and three granddaughters. "Life is too short to worry about coaching baseball," Dominiak says. "Ten years ago, I probably wouldn’t have said that." Nonetheless, Dominiak’s baseball itch isn’t completely gone — he mentions connections with Vegas-area junior-college programs as avenues he may explore. In the meantime, Dominiak can reflect on all that he helped accomplish at Crater. "I didn’t know for sure even where Crater High School was when I came here," he says. "I think it’s respected as a good baseball program throughout the state now. I think whoever comes in here has a great opportunity." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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