Beech Tree News Network

For the fourth time in as many years years, the Butler County High School baseball team will have a new head coach.  School officials announced on Monday that John Casteel, 42 (turns 43 on Friday), will take over the Bears' baseball program, replacing Kevin Winn who had led the team for the past two seasons.

A college baseball player himself at Wabash Valley, Casteel has spent the past decade on the coaching staff of the Ohio County Eagles.  He was an assistant freshman coach for four years, head freshman coach for five years, and spent the last year as the varsity pitching coach.  This will be his first stint as head coach at the high school varsity level.   

"I am looking forward to the opportunity to be a head coach," said Casteel, who played high school ball (pitcher) at Valley High in Louisville for three years before finishing his senior year at Ohio County. 

Casteel lives in Ohio County now but plans a move with his family to Butler County - a move that includes his son - Cody Casteel - who will be a junior.  Cody Casteel pitched for the Ohio County varsity squad last season and notched a 2.21 ERA in 60 innings of work.  

Coach Casteel said he hopes to bring stability to the B.C.H.S. baseball program.  

"It's not good (changing coaches often) for team morale, teaching and learning the game, baseball philosophy, and establishing rules of the program," said Casteel.  "It's important to see familar faces, to have one coach, learn that system, and how to play baseball.  I'm looking to stay put," he added. 

As a coach, Casteel said he places a lot of emphasis on pitching and playing good defense - an approach he plans to bring to Butler County.   

Hired at a relatively late date, Casteel is hitting the ground running.  He was busy Monday afternoon working on a team website, mulling potential assistant coaches, planning meetings with parents and players, and thinking about his preseason conditioning program. 

"I'm excited to get going, to learn the kids and my way around," said Casteel.

Official practices for high school baseball begins February 15 with games starting mid-March.