Goldsboro's Merritt humbled by recognition

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 30, 2018 5:51 AM

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By RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

The white photo paper slid through the printer line by line.

An image soon appeared of a smiling coach flanked by two players.

The picture spoke volumes.

Yet it humbled Danny Merritt.

An old-school soul whose passion burns brightly for the national pastime, the veteran Goldsboro skipper was named the 2018 East Central 2-A Conference baseball coach-of-the-year.

"I'm searching for words now," Merritt said. "I'm embarrassed for it to be something that's got 'Danny Merritt' on it because it's about what these kids in this program have accomplished.

"I'd characterize it as the ultimate team award."

A young team loaded with 11 underclassmen demonstrated a strong work ethic in practice that carried over into the games. There concerted, competitive effort caused opposing teams to take notice.

Goldsboro triumphed in four of its first five outings, including a conference-opening shutout of James Kenan. They encountered a mid-season slump before taking a pair of mercy-rule routs from Kinston and beating Kenan for the second time.

The Cougars ended up 9-12 overall.

Overwhelmed and near retirement age, Merritt said the successful mindset started in the offseason.

The community banded together to rejuvenate Goldsboro's field. They mowed down waist-high grass, weed-eated around the dugouts and bleachers and used different types of equipment to put down new dirt and sod.

A sturdier backstop was built and a net was raised to protect the fans from foul balls. Improvements were made in other parts of the park.

Meanwhile, Merritt continued to steer kids toward the Senior Babe Ruth program. His message -- put a product on the field that creates a sense of pride for Goldsboro High, the community and fan base.

"You talk to kids nowadays about social media and that everything they do is a reflection on the program," Merritt said. "We talk about playing for each other, playing for the community, playing for the team, playing for the school. They've done that.

"That's the biggest honor to me."