Randy Huth’s coaching stems from his father
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No matter the situation, Randy Huth stays calm.
The Nolensville, Tennessee manager has seen his team play several thrillers throughout a remarkable summer-long run which has assured it a top three United States finish. That has included twice at the Little League World Series with Nolensville winning two close games, including a 5-2 blockbuster in seven innings Monday against Indiana.
Huth remains in control. He is focused, relaxed and enjoying the moment. He knows someone special is watching over both he and his team. What a boost that man provides.
Huth’s father Jim was his hero, mentor and a long-time baseball coach. Jim passed away in 2018 but his legacy lives on in Randy who has brought out the best in Nolensville Little Leaguers as long as he has been associated with the league.
"He’s the entire reason I coach. It’s a tribute to his legacy," Randy said. "Every time out there on the field, those are the times I feel closest to him. He’s somewhere out there watching and smiling down on us now."
That smile must be pretty wide. And it’s not just because Nolensville has made history and flourished during its fourth trip to the Series. It’s how this team has done it and how Randy has led it.
This team is a reflection of its manager which means it is a reflection of the man who taught their leader how to be a man. Whether on or off the field, Nolensville excels. The Southeast champions won five elimination games at states, rallied in the sixth inning to win the regional title and shined in all facets en route to reaching Wednesday’s winner’s bracket final.
But ask others about this team and they will often talk first about how the players behave than about how they play. Either way, they always are impressed.
"One of the volunteers in (Southeast regional site) Warner Robins, told me all those boys were very polite. That meant the world to me. We’re very proud of our young men," said Brandon Porter, whose son Josiah plays for Nolensville. "Our coaches care about manners and reinforce our guys trying to be classy and good sportsmen on and off the field."
They had a great teacher in Jim Huth.
Everything which has made Randy a great manager and leader for his teams over the years was instilled in him by his father. Randy first played for his father before coaching alongside him. Those experiences were not just great learning experiences, but also treasured moments.
That was especially true in 2018 when Randy and Jim coached together for a Nolensville state champion which reached the Southeast Regional. Jim might be listed on the roster this season, but there is no doubt he again has helped Randy along this latest tremendous journey.
"Getting to coach with him was unbelievable," Randy said. "Those were great times we shared."
Those times are shared in a different way now but Jim lives through Randy every time he positively influences one of his players. And he has been doing that long before this year’s run.
Randy also managed last year’s team to the Series and three state championships in five years is a testament to his baseball acumen. Equally important, it’s a tribute to Randy’s ability to communicate with and motivate young players.
This team is well-coached and plays hard, but it also has a lot of fun. This team relentlessly competes but also has a lot of fun. Look at how it handles itself in tense situations and that shines through.
Indiana tied Monday’s game 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth and loaded the bases with no outs. Victory appeared imminent, but Randy called timeout, talked to pitcher Jack Rhodes and the infielders and helped them settle in.
Rhodes then struck out the next two batters and shortstop William Satinoff made an incredible diving catch to force extra innings. There Rhodes hit an RBI single and Bo Daniel an RBI triple as Nolensville won its latest nailbiting win.
The only ones seemingly not nervous in those situations are Randy, his coaches and the players.
"When I went to the mound after they got the bases loaded, I said you (Rhodes) can get us nine strikes and get us out of this thing and we can go in and win the game," Randy said. "I said, ‘I have full faith in you and I told the infield we’re going to play in and give everything we have and believe in each other. Let’s just have fun. This is exactly what we’ve practiced for,’ and that’s exactly what happened."
Those kind of pep talks have helped current and past players thrive in different avenues of life. Yes, the wins are impressive, but it’s that positive influence which really makes Nolensville happy to have Randy coaching there.
"I got to coach with him this spring and it was great," Nolensville Little League president David Jones said. "It was a learning experience for me to see first-hand how he talks to the kids and how he coaches the kids. It’s unbelievable."
That is a good way to describe this run Nolensville is experiencing. Randy would never take any credit for what they players have done. He will deflect all the compliments toward the players.
Still, one better believe his fingerprints are all over this team’s success. Why that is so goes far beyond him teaching the baseball fundamentals.
"Randy is a friend and a motivator. The kids just love playing for him," Jones said. "He has that mentality d that relationship where they want to play for him and they enjoy playing for him."
That feeling is reciprocal. Coaching is in Randy’s blood. All the ways Jones describes Randy are the way so many described Jim. Watch Randy coach and one can see his father shining through.
"It’s been a great journey," Randy said. "What a great summer."
And wherever Randy has gone this summer, his father has been right by his side.