A new coach has stepped onto the Upper Campus baseball field and is ready to lead the OVS players.
Born and raised in the Sacramento area, ESL teacher and dorm parent Hank Pankratz said he has always had a strong love for the game.
One of his favorite memories came in eighth grade in a Little League championship game. He hit the ball out of the park and into the parking lot, smashing a brand new truck window. The home run won his team the game and sent it to the semifinals.
“Playing baseball my whole life has helped me with where I am today,” said Mr. Pankratz, who is in his first year at OVS and holds a history degree from Sonoma State University.
Mr. Pankratz came from a small, tightly-knit baseball team of about 20-25 kids who have been playing since childhood and worked their way up to play baseball at Woodcreek High School in Roseville, CA. The shortstop and left-handed slugger would go onto play at Yuba College, a community college in Marysville, CA., which is a huge achievement.
While playing baseball in college, Mr. Pankratz would meet OVS Athletic Director Ryan Pearman, and they would end up playing together on the same team. Through this connection, Mr. Pankratz has become part of the Ojai Valley School community.
Earlier this year, Mr. P – a nickname he goes by – was granted the opportunity by Head of Upper Campus Craig Floyd to become the head coach of the baseball team. He takes over for longtime skipper Doug Colborn, who guided the team to quite a bit of success in recent years, including multiple league championships and solid playoff runs.
Mr. Pankratz gladly accepted the coaching role, and now he is ready to lead the team and have a great season.
Junior first baseman Sullivan Rothwell thinks Mr. Pankratz is a good addition to the OVS community and OVS baseball team.
“I think he’s a great coach,” Sully said. “He’s able to balance being critical and supportive really well.”
Mr. Pankratz’s goal for this season is for everyone to bring high energy, grow the game, and have fun.
“I feel honored and welcomed to be the head baseball coach at OVS and I’m very excited to give back to the game,” he said. “Being new to this community gives me a great chance to get to know our students as athletes. Guiding them through the baseball season and the final stretch of the school year will be an awesome experience.”
