Jim Hastings jokes that he knows, or knows of, just about everyone in the world of Fox Chapel Area baseball from the ages of T-ball to 18. A native of the area, he’s worked at just about all levels of the sport and has held the position of the Foxes’ head coach for eight years now. Coach Hastings just celebrated 100 career wins, and there were many people there to celebrate his dedication and success.
“Jim is a tremendous asset to our program. It’s rare to find someone who is as deeply committed to the students and the community as he is. He pours his heart and soul into every aspect of the program. Jim is a true Fox Chapel person – he genuinely cares about the athletes and has dedicated countless hours to their development and the team’s success,” says Mike O’Brien, the district’s director of athletics. “What has always stood out to me is his passion, not just for teaching the game of baseball, but for helping kids grow through the life lessons that come with it. That’s the essence of what we aim to do as educators, whether in the classroom or on the field. I’m thrilled to see him reach this milestone.”
Coach Hastings is pleased with his achievement, but he always gives credit to those around him, calling them the real backbone of the program.
“I know reaching my 100th career win is a great accomplishment, but I couldn’t have done it without the kids and coaches buying into our program and the long hours they put in,” says the coach, who previously coached at Springdale. “It’s a proud feeling knowing what we’ve done with the program, but I’d be more excited with a WPIAL championship or state win!”
In his years with Fox Chapel Area High School, coach Hastings has taken his teams to the WPIAL playoffs each season, and this year is no different. The No.8-ranked Foxes (14-4) will face No.9 seed Greater Latrobe in the first round of the WPIAL Class 5A playoffs at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Gateway High School.
A Journey Built on Lifetime Love of Sports
A 1999 graduate of Fox Chapel Area High School, coach Hastings played football and baseball for the Foxes, and his love of his alma mater’s athletics has not waned. He also is an assistant coach for the Foxes football team.
He first got into coaching when he was about 16 years old. Now, 28 years later, he’s seen many of his younger brother’s friends and now their children go through the ranks of youth baseball and followed along with their journeys. He still considers coaching as just about the best place he could be in life, other than with his family.
“I think if there was ever a job I wanted, it was this one,” says the mild-mannered coach, whose initial goals included building the youth developmental program, something that’s beginning to show good results. “I think the key to having a successful program is to constantly build relationships with the kids, their parents, and the coaches, past and present.
He says he still remembers all his coaches, as they each had an impact on him in some way.
“Each one of them left me with a lot to put in my toolbox,” he says. “I think the best piece of advice I ever received came from a number of coaches. Their advice was that you can’t get too high, and you can’t get too low after a win or a loss. I was told it’s best to remain calm and positive and enthusiastic, and that’s why I try to do at our practices and games.”
Former Foxes high school baseball coach Don Schubert, who has known coach Hastings since he was born, is now a volunteer coach for the team. In his first year back, Don has witnessed a lot of changes since he first started in 2007.
“I would describe Jim as one of the most conscientious, caring people I’ve ever known,” he says. “I watch how he communicates with his players and coaches. He’s not a screamer; he explains things to them with a very kind, gentle approach. He’s very detailed and prepared in his approach. And he does all of this while still finding the time to attend or coach all of his own four children’s games. He deserves this accolade. He’s such a class act.”
While he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon, coach Hastings adds the way he would like his players and coaches to remember him.
He says, “I’d like to be remembered as someone who deeply cares about his players and has helped them, not only in the sport, but also in life in general. And I’d like to be remembered as the kind of coach who works hard, leads by example, and gives 100% every day.”