Indians’ coach steps down after four successful seasons on the diamond

LNP’s Matt Blymier is reporting that Tom Hartman has resigned as girls’ softball coach at Donegal. Here is Matt’s story:

The most successful softball team in the Lancaster-Lebanon League the past four years is looking for a new skipper after Tom Hartman announced his resignation as head coach at Donegal.

Hartman met with players last Thursday to inform them of his decision to step down after four seasons highlighted by the Indians’ District Three and PIAA Class AAA gold medals in 2006.

“He took softball to a prominent level,” said Donegal athletic director Ron Kennedy. “You talk about Donegal not only on the league and district level, but also on a statewide level.”

Hartman’s main reason for leaving the Indians, according to Kennedy, was to watch his granddaughter Allie play softball. Allie is a junior at Hempfield. Hartman’s son and Allie’s father Jeff, who was an assistant at Donegal, will also step down.

“We played Hempfield in leagues last year and I think it was hard for both Tom and Jeff to coach against their granddaughter and daughter,” Kennedy explained.

The Indians will be loaded in 2009 with the majority of the state championship team entering their senior seasons. Nicky Hess and Whitney Breneman were all-state selections last year and will return with fellow seniors and All-Section Three selections Morgan Kibler, Taylor Hatt, Abby Hoover and Kaitlyn Houseal, and sophomore Kelsey Hannold.

“Whoever takes over certainly has a great team to coach,” Kennedy said.

Hartman was on vacation and unavailable for comment.