Drillers Honor Late Coach

Tuesday, July 31st 2007, 2:22 pm

By: News On 6

Drillers fans pay tribute Tuesday night to a coach who was tragically killed more than a week ago. Hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh died after he was struck in the neck by a line drive. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports the Drillers organization started Tuesdayâ€™s game remembering Mike.

Mike Coolbaugh touched a lot of lives, and players as well as fans wore his number, 29, to remember a life cut short.

From the moment fans walked through the gate it was clear, this is no ordinary Tuesday night ball game. The crowd seemed to bottleneck around a table set up for the coach who wouldn't be there. Hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh died on July 22nd after he was hit in the neck by a line drive foul ball. He was buried in San Antonio on Monday leaving behind his pregnant wife and two young sons. At the field where he played and coached his face flashed across the big screen as the team president retired his #29 jersey.

"So young and vibrant and athletic, and just like that life's over," said Drillers fan Randy Waldrup.

Fans lined up to sign notes and well-wishes to Coolbaugh's family. One man felt a particular kinship.

"Eighteen years ago I had a head injury and I was in a coma for a month, and I understand a little bit about what his family is going through," Driller fan Wesley Gibson said.

With the stark black and white #29 high over right field, the game went on. Empty at the place along 1st base where Mike Coolbaugh would have stood, but full of the sights and the sounds he loved.

"That's what he wanted, that the family continued to reiterate to our guys is to keep playing,â€ said Drillers president Chuck Lamson. â€œYou know go forward, and that's what he wanted, and that's what baseball people are about. It's all about the game and the love of it."

The Drillers organization held a silent auction and raffle Tuesday night to try and raise money for Mike Coolbaughâ€™s family. All proceeds will go to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund.

For more information on the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund, including how you can donate, visit the Tulsa Drillers website, www.tulsadrillers.com.

Related Stories:

7/5/2007 Coolbaugh Named Drillers Interim Hitting Coach

7/23/2007 Line Drive Hits And Kills Drillers Coach

7/24/2007 Mourning Coaches Wonder About Safety

7/24/2007 - Drillers To Return To The Field

7/25/2007 - Coroner Says Ruptured Artery Caused Death Of Coach

7/27/2007 - Arkansas 7, Tulsa 6, 12 Innings

7/30/2007 - Drillers To Attend Former Coach's Funeral

7/30/2007 - Drillers Plan Memorial For Mike Coolbaugh