He’s won six state championships. He’s been named Harrison County and Big 10 Coach of the year too many times to remember. He’s been named West Virginia Coach of the Year and is in the West Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

 

So what’s left for Bridgeport High School baseball Coach Robert Shields to win? After 30-plus years on the diamond, Shields picked up another major honor.

 

Earlier this month, Shields was notified by the National Federal of State High School Associations that not only was he that organization’s West Virginia Coach of the Year, but he was named the 2016-17 Mideast Sectional Coach of the Year in baseball.

 

“What I’m pleased most about is that it’s not a reflection of me, but it’s a reflection of all that the kids have done. Even though it’s for the past year, I’m talking about the kids that have been playing since I’ve been here that have turned this into a program,” said Shields. “You can’t get an honor like this without have kids intent on establishing themselves each year as a championship contender year in and year out.”

 

The award means Shields was considered at the top of the heap from multiple states after being nominated by the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission (WVSSAC). The states that Shields received the award in, along with West Virginia, include Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia. It also encompasses the District of Columbia.

 

The honor also comes after a Class AA state championship season – his fourth straight – and a 31-7 record. In 31 years of coaching, Shields has six 30-win seasons and has surpassed 20 wins in 22 seasons. He has also won an astounding 29 sectional championships in 31 attempts and 18 regional titles.

 

Shields’ six state titles, all in Class AA, have come in 1993 and 2000 along with the four from 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. In 1992 and 1994 he finished runner-up in the AA’ division and was runner-up in 2010 in Class AAA. And after 31 years, he’s never had a losing season.

 

Despite once again going into a year having to replace a boatload of key players due to graduation, Shields is looking forward to the challenge of trying to win a fifth straight title.

 

““I look forward to the pressure and the kids do too. We have a ton of competition in our section and region to along with a demanding schedule to get us to where we can handle the pressure each year,” said.  “I hope we can continue that.”

 

As for Shields, he coached his 1000^th game last year. Incredibly, he has a record of 767-235, which is another item that may have played into the selection as well.

 

“It’s truly an honor to know that so many players made this possible, many of them waiting their senior year for their turn, and leave the program as a winner,” said Shields. “That speaks volumes to the type of kids we have and why this honor is possible. I’m elated for this because it speaks volumes to the success our kids have had.”

 

Editor's Note: Photos by www.benqueenphotography.com.