Longtime coach Whittle legacy written in name of Trinity's field (Local baseball playoff schedule)

Trinity baseball’s Chip Armstrong applauds the new name added to his on the Wildcats’ baseball field in a ceremony last Friday. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

Ken Whittle arrived at Jason Armstrong Field before Trinity’s doubleheader with Prattville Christian Academy on Friday, the veteran Wildcat baseball coach didn’t dwell too long on the awning behind the dugout or the number “9” painted on the field behind home plate.

“To be honest, I didn’t,” he said. “I saw the number and thought maybe they’re just putting things together. But I couldn’t put two and two together.”

The Wildcats took care of the Panthers, sweeping a doubleheader 10-0 and 5-0, then paused after the game to honor their longtime coach, who is retiring at the end of the 2021 season after 43 years at the school. 

“It’s hard to put into words exactly everything and do him justice,” Trinity athletic director Jessica Lassiter said. “Coach, he’s never cared for the glory or recognition that comes with his legendary status. He’s a team guy, he always has been. He has selflessly served thousands of people. He’s guided and molded and impacted lives for 43 years. His career has been one of sacrifice and love.”

Lassiter went on to say that Whittle was “solid, he’s steady and he’s everything I want to be.”

Retired headmaster Brian Willett, who hired Whittle in 1978, was on hand for the ceremony along with former players as the school officially retired the coach’s number.

“Since 1981, there has been one constant on the field,” Lassiter said. “Players and assistant coaches have come and gone, but for over 1,000 games, No. 9 has been a fixture for the Wildcats. So it is with great joy that we are proud to announce that for the first time in Trinity athletics, we are retiring a number and we can’t think of a better one to start with than No. 9.”

Whittle might have expected that gesture, but he was shocked when Chip Armstrong, who financed the field in honor of his son Jason following his tragic boating death in 1993, unveiled plans to rename the field Whittle-Armstrong Field.

“You’ve been steadfast in your support, since 1994, of the Jason Armstrong FCA Baseball Tournament and we appreciate that so much,” Armstrong said. “Speaking as a father, I was always glad that you were my sons’ coach. They were truly blessed by your example and my family has been blessed by the relationship we’ve had with your family. Thank you for all you’ve done for everybody.”

Whittle has one more regular season game as Trinity’s coach, facing perennial power Gordo on Monday, before making the program’s 30th consecutive trip to the state playoffs later in the week against Southside-Selma.

“It’s too much,” Whittle said of the ceremony. “I thank you families for allowing me to work with your sons, to coach them, to get after them a little bit every once in a while. But I love Trinity. It’s a very special place.”

Trinity opens the 2021 Class 3A playoffs on Thursday at home against Southside-Selma. The doubleheader is scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m. with an “if” game set for Friday at 4 p.m.

AHSAA Baseball Playoffs (River Region/area teams)

Note: Class 7A begins play on April 29

Class 1A

Millry at Brantley (16-7); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

South Lamar (5-14) at Maplesville (10-5); Friday-DH, 2 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Central-Hayneville (7-2) at Woodland (8-11); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Class 2A

Randolph County (14-10) at Luverne (8-15); Friday-DH, 4 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Highland Home (7-9) at Ranburne (14-10); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Class 3A

Dadeville (14-10) at Thomasville (18-4); Friday-DH, 4 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Montgomery Catholic (16-11) at Hale Co.; Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Southside-Selma at Trinity Presbyterian; Thursday-DH, 2 p.m. (Fri. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Excel at Reeltown (12-10); Friday-DH, 4 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Class 4A

St. Michael Catholic (12-14) at Alabama Christian (17-10-1); Friday-DH, 5 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

St. James (17-7) at Mobile Christian (25-3); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Class 5A

Demopolis at Pike Road (21-7); Friday-DH, 5 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Elmore Co (20-7) at Shelby Co (18-8); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Sylacauga (12-7) at Holtville (22-9); Friday-DH, 5 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.)

Class 6A

Northridge (14-12) at Wetumpka (21-7); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Saraland (22-7) at R.E. Lee (12-17-1); Friday-DH, 5 p.m. (Sat. 1 p.m. if necc.) at Paterson Field

Park Crossing (8-7) at Faith Academy (24-4); Friday-DH, 4 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

Stanhope Elmore (20-8) at Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa  (26-10); Friday-DH, 4:30 p.m. (Sat. 12 p.m. if necc.)

AISA Pairings

(Games to be played on Thursday (DH) and Friday (if necc.) unless noted otherwise)

Class A

North River at Restoration

Meadowview Christian at Abbeville Christian (Friday/Saturday)

(Crenshaw Christian/Pickens Academy/Snook/Coosa Valley/Jackson Academy/Heritage Academy receive 1st round byes)

Class AA

Southern Academy at Wilcox (Friday/Saturday)

Lakeside at Autauga Academy

Hooper Academy at Chambers Academy

Escambia Academy at Choctaw Academy (Friday/Saturday)

(Macon East/Patrician/Lowndes Academy/Edgewood Academy receive 1st round byes)

Class AAA

Russell Christian at Clarke Prep (Friday/Saturday)

Monroe Academy at Tuscaloosa Academy (Friday/Saturday)

(Glenwood/Springwood/Bessemer/Morgan Academy/Lee-Scott Academy/Pike Liberal Arts receive 1st round byes)