The Wolcott baseball family is once again hurting after the loss of someone special. In 2018 it was Dave Pelletier. On Friday, it was Tary Scott.
The longtime, successful head coach of the Wolcott High baseball team passed away. He was 57. To say Scott was beloved by the Eagle baseball family would be an understatement. Players, coaches and parents shared their thoughts about him on social media as news spread of his passing.
“To the coach that was more of a friend and mentor to me and that turned me around and kept my head on when I made mistakes. I’ll never forget the lessons you taught me,” wrote former player Tino Ciarlo on Instagram. “You made me, and all the guys that went through yo,u better men. You always had a funny way of making the whole team laugh without even really trying. Thank you for the some of the best memories I’ve ever had in sports.”
“At a loss for words,” wrote Anita Bandeira Warren, mother of former player Matt Warren, on Facebook. “Heartbreaking day for Wolcott baseball and our family. You loved all your players like your own and gave every young man a chance. So many great memories on and off the field.”
“Coach Scott you made a lasting impression on so many people,” wrote Ann Wohlrabe Drewry, mother of former Wolcott player Jack Drewry, on Facebook. “Thanks for believing in our boys and taking care of them. You will be greatly missed.”
“If I knew last night was the last time I would see you, I would have hung around the shop a little longer and to hear one more crazy joke,” wrote Dom Ciarlo, father of Tino Ciarlo, on Instagram. “Thanks for being a good coach to all of the boys over the years. Thank you for showing my son tough love and thanks for giving him a call once and a while to just check up.”
The love and respect extended out to NVL coaches.
“He was a inspiration to me, always willing to offer me advice as a young coach in the NVL,” wrote Wilby coach Michael Monroe on Facebook. “I always will appreciate his kindness in his positive words of encouragement. My condolences to all who know him especially the great players who loved him and loved playing for him. We lost a GIANT in our baseball world. He will be missed.”
“Saddened to hear about Tary Scott,” wrote Derby coach Steve Bainer on Twitter. “He was a pleasure to compete against over the years. He was always so complementary of me as a player and coach, and asked me to coach 2019 Sr. All-Star Game in his spot, which was such an honor. Thoughts are with the Wolcott community.”
“Our deepest sympathies to the Scott family and the entire Wolcott baseball community,” read a Twitter post from Ansonia baseball.
Whether it was parents, players or coaches, all referred to Scott as a friend. There are times where parents and coaches don’t get along, but the comments on social media by those parents who had players coached by Scott tell a different story.
Scott could be tough. One of his most recognizable phrases, heard often by his players when they were hitting, was this: “Don’t be lazy.”
Scott was influenced by his high school coach, Sonny Miller (David Crockett High School, Jonesborough, Tenn.), who once told him that “a lazy man is a fool.” Scott and his coaching staff worked hard at Wolcott, and it won. A lot. Those victories included a 2016 state championship. It was about more than wins for Tary Scott. It was about relationships, making high school boys into men, and making people laugh along the way. It was also about family, the Wolcott baseball family.
For me, this one is personal. After Wolcott won the state championship, Tary and I spent time on the phone together talking about the championship run, his coaches and his players, and he glowed about all of them. He loved his coaches, and he loved his players. And he gave someone who was just starting out with his blog some of his time. I have always appreciated Tary for that time he gave me back then, and the conversations that we had in the years that followed. I will always appreciate those times.
Rest in peace, Tary Scott. My condolences go out to his family members and all those who knew him and loved him.
Note: Former player Steve Urbanski put together a GoFundMe to try to raise money for a gathering to honor Scott. Go here to see Urbanski’s GoFundMe.
Photo caption: The Wolcott baseball family is mourning the loss of longtime head coach Tary Scott, right. Scott passed away on Friday at the age of 57. (Sports on CT-69 file photo)
