West Ranch Baseball

Chris Cota

Head Baseball Coach COC

Summarize your playing and coaching experience.

Saugus High School 1980 - 1983.

College of the Canyons 1984 - 1986

State Runner Up 1985

State Champions 1986

Drafted and signed 3rd round January 1986 draft. Chicago White Sox

White Sox organization 1986 - 1989

California Angels 1989 - 1990.

Assistant Coach College of the Canyons 1991 - 2000.

Head Coach College of the Canyons 2001 - present.

Conference Champions 2003,2004

What is your most memorable baseball experience?

Being a part of the College of the Canyons 1986 State Champion team.

What do you look for in a high school baseball player?

Attitude, work ethic, accountability, ability to play at the next level.

How important are academics to a high school athlete?

Academics is everything! That is one of the obstacles that hold student/athletes back. You must be prepared to take college courses. A commitment to academics opens doors.

What advice would you give to a high school athlete?

Bear down and make a commitment to be the best you can be at whatever is important to you. If it is baseball, you need to understand that academics is a huge part of the opportunity. Some kids don't realize the importance of academics until it is too late.

When you were a little boy, did you ever imagine that you would be getting paid to play and coach a game you love?

Never! When I was young, I always wanted to be a professional baseball player. It was not for the money. I just loved to play! I really believe, I have the greatest job in the world. To be able to walk out to the baseball field everyday is absolutely awesome!

How important is attitude and work ethic in baseball?

Very important. Those student/athletes that have the proper attitude and work ethic, give themselves the opportunity to obtain their goals. These are two very important attributes to becoming a better baseball player. The ones that display these, seem to be the ones that rise to the top.

In your opinion, what makes baseball such a great game?

You learn so much by playing baseball. One of the toughest things is to sustain consistency. The nice thing is you get another chance tomorrow. It is a game that cannot be perfected. You have nothing to do but work hard and get better.

What do you hope to accomplish in the future with your baseball career?

Keep the proud tradition at COC going which Mike Gillespie and Len Mohney built throughout the years. Also, continue to develop the student/athlete on and off the field to move them on to the next level.

If you could have any three people, throughout all of history, over for dinner, who would they be?

My grandfather (Joseph Cota) who passed when I was an infant. Al Capone who moonshined out of my great grandmothers barn in Chicago. Shoeless Joe Jackson. I would love to hear all of their stories!

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