“Ted has had a positive influence on a very important segment of the Dayton population, it’s kids. I was one of those kids who benefitted from countless hours of dedication Ted has brought to Dayton amateur baseball,” Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Mike Schmidt. “Had it not been for his efforts, I’m sure my career would have never materialized.”
Background: Mills pitched for Roosevelt High School and the University of Cincinnati before going on to coach for 40 years. As a coach, he racked up more than 1,500 wins and four national championships. Schmidt is one of about 100 players Mills helped to advance to the pro level.
Service: Ted Mills Baseball Instruction works on hitting, pitching, defense, and team clinics for both baseball and softball.
His staff includes: Kelly Woods, a Pirates free agent in 1989; Mike Romie, who played at community colleges: Sinclair and Kansas City; Luis Bolivar, part of Padres, Reds, and Braves’ teams; and Greg Uland, an Ohio State University catcher. Mickey McGuire, a Baltimore Oriole, retired as Mills’ pitching coach two years ago.
Describe your best moment as a player: “Probably a losing game in high school. I was a 15-year-old pitching at Crosley Field against Elder High School in the regional, and we were 7 runs down. I only gave them two hits, but we lost 7-5.”
Describe your proudest moment as a coach: “When my team H. H. Morgan won the national championship in 1984.
What made you decide to become a coach? “I had a Trinity Methodist team in the early sixties. It was 9-12 year olds, and we won the City Championship the next year.”
Testimonial: “He had quite a positive impact on my 11-year-old son, who was diagnosed with ADHD in the middle of baseball season last year. He was struggling behind the plate and ready to quit,” said Gina Sandoval of Oakwood. “Ted not only helped him develop his hitting skills, he came to one of Landon’s games to build his confidence and made him love baseball again.”
Contact: (937) 223-2422, www.tedmillsbaseball.com.
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