FALMOUTH – Kevin Winship, a former assistant coach at Portland and South Portland high schools, is the new Falmouth High baseball coach.

Winship replaces Dana Dresser, whose contract wasn’t renewed last year by the school’s administration.

Winship, 36, is looking forward to his first head-coaching position.

“It’s an opportunity to have my own program,” said Winship, who teaches physical education at Memorial Middle School in South Portland. “I feel I am ready.”

Winship was an assistant at Portland under Mike Rutherford for seven years. For the last two seasons, Winship filled the same role for South Portland under Tony DiBiase. Winship also has been an assistant for Andrews Post of Portland and Morrill Post of South Portland in American Legion baseball.

“I’ve learned from two guys who, I feel, are two of the best high school baseball coaches in the state,” said Winship.

“Mike runs a very structured practice with a lot of planning. Tony gave me a lot of game responsibility in making decisions over in the third-base coaching box.”

Preseason practice for pitchers and catchers begins March 22. The position players open practice March 29.

“I don’t know a lot about the team, but I think we have real good balance in each class,” said Winship. “I think we’ll have a strong base with the upperclassmen.

“I’ve coached against some of the players in Legion ball. I’m going to have an open tryout so that everyone has a shot to make the team. I’ve lined up a lot of scrimmages before the first game so that I can give everyone a good look.”

Winship said he likes to put pressure on opponents with aggressive base running, but the final decision on what style his team plays will be based on its personnel.

“I’m looking to build a strong program,” he said. “I want to reach down to the Little League programs and all the other feeder programs.”

Winship’s staff will include varsity assistant Bob Milliken and junior varsity coach Craig Pendleton.

Winship, who also will coach the Falmouth American Legion team this summer, graduated from Portland High in 1992 and from the University of Maine.

 

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com