Michael Poole graduated from Field High School in 2013 and announced last week that he has been hired by the Cleveland Guardians as a pitching coach.
Special to Portage Sports

By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Michael Poole is staying in Arizona, but he is coming home, too.

The Field High School graduate (Class of 2013) proudly announced last week that he has been hired by the Cleveland Guardians as a pitching coach.

Poole is joining his hometown team and his favorite team, but will remain working for the organization in Goodyear, Ariz.

Poole has worked in Arizona over the last couple of years for a company called Driveline Baseball, where he was the lead pitching trainer.

The company is described as a world-class player development facility that uses advanced technology to help develop players in all aspects of the game.

It prepared Poole for the his opportunity of al lifetime.

“The excitement for this opportunity is surreal,” Poole said. “It’s such a blessing to not just do what I love and have the opportunity to have an impact on the organization and individuals, but for the organization to be the one I grew up 40 minutes from. The organization as a whole is filled with great coaches and players, but even better humans.”

A great human that Poole couldn’t wait to call and tell the good news to was his grandfather Ted.

“I grew up a huge Cleveland baseball fan, and I want to many games when Progressive was still Jacob’s Field. I loved watching the team over the years. My grandpa, Ted, is one of the biggest Guardians fans out there, so to make the phone call to him and tell him the news was awesome.”

Poole will work with the other Guardians’ pitching coaches and coordinators to help program and implement development programs for minor-league pitchers that will be going to the complex for spring training, as well as players that will work in Goodyear throughout the season.