Bethel Park baseball coach resigns
Bethel Park baseball head coach Tony Fisher submitted his resignation this week ending a nine-year tenure at the helm of the program at his alma mater.
The resignation came on the heels of allegations the program fosters a culture of harassment and bullying. The parents of two players who quit the team voiced those viewpoints during a school board meeting held May 28.
Fisher denied the charges in a statement he prepared for a story in the June 2 edition of The Almanac.
“The coaching staff does the best we can to foster a ‘team-first’ mentality,” he said. “We want all players to feel that they play a role in the team’s success. Not every role is the same, but every role is important. We hope that we mold young boys into men upon graduating from our program.”
Fisher said this spring was especially rewarding as his players rallied around a teammate who faced serious off-field health challenges.
“We witnessed firsthand the power of team unity,” Fisher said. “I am so proud of these young men this season. I feel honored to have had the opportunity to be their coach.”
Bethel Park High School’s administration, athletic director and public relations department did not respond to further requests for comment regarding this article. Fisher also declined further comment.
In nine seasons, Fisher compiled a 131-57 record, complete with four section titles, eight playoff appearances and two, fourth-place finishes in the WPIAL. He has the third most wins in school history behind Ken Hodgson, whose career record is 328-123-9, and Jim Rider, who led the Black Hawks to a 220-121 record during his tenure.
This spring, Fisher guided the Black Hawks to their second consecutive section title with a 10-2 record. BP finished 15-5 overall and reached the WPIAL Class 6A semifinals.
Prior to replacing Steve Bucci, who was 8-11 in 2010, Fisher served as an assistant coach under Rider. He began his coaching career at 19 as an assistant with the Bethel Park American Legion team in 1998.
A 1997 Bethel Park graduate, Fisher helped the Black Hawks win a section championship as a player in 1996. He led the Black Hawks to the WPIAL and PIAA playoffs in 1996 and captained the club into the postseason in 1997.
Fisher attended Clarion University and has been a social studies teacher at Bethel Park High School since 2001.
He was honored as a Walmart Community Playmaker and recognized at a Pittsburgh Penguins game in 2017.
Fisher resides in Bethel Park with his wife and three children. His two sons, Colton and Cayson, served as bat boys for the high school baseball team.