ORANGE CITY — When former University High School baseball coach Frank Martello was invited by the school to attend its game against Seminole on Wednesday, March 4, he just figured he was going to throw the first pitch.
Instead, Martello was brought out to the pitcher’s mound and handed a home plate-shaped sign that read “Martello Field Est. 2026,” and that’s when he realized why he was there — The Titans are looking to name the field after the man who helped construct it, pending proper paperwork and eventual school board approval.
And he got to throw the first pitch, too.
“Really truthfully, today, when I saw the sign,” Martello said of when he learned of the plans. “I knew they were inviting me out. I figured maybe I’ll throw out a first pitch, wish the players good luck, because it’s nice to bring the past … So (assistant athletic director) Dawn Drysdale … I know she had a lot to do with it, and she just told me I was invited, I would come out, and they were going to have a special day. But to name the field is beyond what I would have imagined.”
Martello was hired as University’s first baseball coach when the school opened its doors in 2010. Under Martello’s leadership from 2010-17, the Titans appeared in two FHSAA state championship games in 2015 and 2017, won two regional titles, a district title in 2016 and four Five Star Conference championships.
Three of his former players — Logan Allen, Nate Peden and Cameron Robinson — were also selected in the MLB draft.
“Coach Martello exemplifies everything it means to be a Titan,” Drysdale said over the loudspeaker before Wednesday’s game. “He leads with unwavering respect for his players and the game, shows courage in taking bold chances on their potential, shares his deep knowledge of baseball with anyone willing to learn, and brings the strength of steady, dependable leadership to every field he steps on to. Coach Martello rocks.”
But prior to University’s success under Martello, there wasn’t even a field. Martello, with the help of some parents, built and measured the field with colored string.
“We basically built it from the ground up, and I had help from the district, the maintenance department, and I had some very good parents that knew certain things,” Martello said. “We did it the old fashioned way … It was just grass, clay and fence. That’s all that was here.”
Martello’s seven-year stop at University was the last of a decades-long career in coaching, all of which was done in Volusia County.
Martello started as Deltona’s junior varsity coach in 1988. He moved on to be the head coach of DeLand from 1996-2001 before joining Stetson University’s baseball staff part time from 2001-04.
After leading the Titans to a 123-79 record in the first seven years of the program’s history, Martello retired from coaching and became an administrator at Citrus Grove Elementary in DeLand until 2024.
Though he might be retired now, a piece of Martello will always be tied to University’s baseball program when his name is officially etched next to the diamond.
“It’s the highest honor you really could ever have,” Martello said. “I was not expecting that, but I do appreciate it. I’m humbled by it.”
(This story was updated to add more information.)
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: University looking to name baseball field after coach Frank Martello
Reporting by Zach Allen, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
