Carson baseball coach Mike Kline announced his resignation after 19 years at the helm of the program.
Kline said he will remain as Carson’s athletic director.
Carson is a coming off a tumultuous season, during which the team had a nasty bench-clearing brawl against San Pedro. Carson potentially was going to be a playoff team, but the brawl and ensuing penalties derailed its season and the Colts finished 11-20.
Kline said the incident was not why he resigned, but it didn’t help.
“It wasn’t the reason, but of course, the brawl doesn’t sit well with me,” Kline said. “It’s surely not the way I wanted to go out. The decision to step down though is because of my nearing retirement. By stepping down now I can help to ensure the program is left in good hands. Change can be a good thing.”
Kline led Carson to several successful seasons in the 1990s, including a trip to the L.A. City Section championship game at Dodger Stadium in 1995, where the Colts lost to Kennedy 3-1.
Kline led Carson to six consecutive Marine League titles from 1993 to 1998.
But Carson has had nine losing seasons in the last 10 years, and playoff appearances have been few and far between.
“It’s been a great run, and I don’t have the energy I use to have,” Kline said.
Kline reflected on what he will and will not miss being a high school baseball coach.
“What I’ll miss most is the kids and the relationships I’ve developed over the years with my fellow coaches,” Kline said. “I won’t, however, miss the fundraising and all the overtime that goes into building a solid program.”
