Bridgewater – Radar Coach summarizes 28 years of career

Bridgewater - Laritan High School softball coach Sandy Baranowski retires after 28 seasons.
Known for his unique coaching phrase ("B-ism"), Baranowski prioritizes creating an interesting and supportive team environment.
She has accumulated a record of 363-342, three Somerset County Championship titles and the 2015 state championship game.
Baranowski highlights the importance of teamwork and the lasting relationship she has built with the players.

"Put down and beat S!"

"nausea!"

"Sweet Vincent Moses!"

For Sandy Baranowski, these are just the terms and phrases she picked up sports when she grew up in Manville. She calls it "Manville".

For the players she coached on Bridgewater-Laritan High School softball team for most of the past three decades, they were B-ism-strange things “Coach B” said.

They kept a list.

"Pump some balls!"

"Meat and potatoes!"

“There is a vacuum on the left!”

"Play with loose goose!"

"Sweat like Wendell!"

But after 28 and 31 seasons of softball helm, the Panthers will be the last team to track these B-isms this year, and Baranowski retired and quit his softball coach's resignation at the end of the season.

She has been bringing her fun brand to the Bridgewater-Laritan softball program since 1998. It was positive, no one was more enthusiastic, and she had a significant impact on players who had long worn Panthers uniforms in high school.

“Her dedication to the team, game and community has shaped countless athletes and families,” said 2017 BR graduate Katie Winchock, who has played for Baranowski for four years and has been a volunteer assistant coach for the Panthers for the past three seasons. "What I remember most besides her wins and championships is her fun, unique words, constant belief in us and the way she gives 100% of every game, practice and moment. Coach B is the heart of Bridgewater-Laritan softball and leaves a lasting impact."

"You have good years and you've had bad years and you just do everything you can to make the team better and make them have fun. That's the only thing (important) about it," Baranowski said. "You don't always know what the family situation of these kids are - I know a lot of bad things - I call (on the team) where I'm happy. From 3 to 5 every day, that's where we all want to be."

This sense of belonging and teamwork first made Baranowski fall in love with sports.

She grew up in Manville, playing a minor league with her brother on the team her father coached. She then played softball and basketball for four years at Manville High School, and even a year before cutting the plan. Playing as a point guard, she remains the school’s historical basketball scoring leader, and the shortstop is arguably the best softball player ever.

In 1986, Baranowski graduated in 1986 and played four years of shortstop and BAT cleanup on Long Island University’s CW campus before starting his career in teaching and coaching. Her first year in Hillsborough, she was hired two years later at Bridgewater-Raritan, where she coached basketball, hockey and boys volleyball before being appointed as an assistant softball coach in 1995. In 1998, she took over as head coach.

She competed in the state game on Wednesday, May 28 with a career record of 363-342, two wins for Brook coach Steve Kania, who was bound to the pre-match, second only to Hillsborough’s Cheryl Iaione in the All-time Win List. Baranowski won three Somerset County Championships, including her first year as head coach, who brought the 2015 team to the Group 4 state championship game, defeating 1-0 on a suspicious call from the referee on cricket.

She was also twice appointed Courier News softball coach of the year.

"I've been playing (or coaching) sports since the fourth grade and being part of a team. A team is the coolest thing anyone can get involved in," Balanovski said. "You don't go out and pick the kids on your team. You're playing with classmates. When I play minor league baseball, it's the coolest thing in the world. All of our friends are playing, we've all been on different teams and there's a lot of competitive, but it's fun. I think this is where I love being a team."

"I was part of some really bad teams in high school, and some really good teams. My basketball team was 2-18 basketball (and then won her senior county championship), we were terrible, but I was terrible, but I loved it. I loved everything about it. The relationships and friendships you formed, they lasted for a lifetime."

Of course they have. That's the most special thing. Even with many former players. It's been 28 years since the relationship. Baranowski regards many former players as friends.

"Go to their wedding or baby shower or be invited to vacation or they'll say on the shore, 'Hey. When coach B, they'll reach out. Let's go out or have a beer.' That's cool," she said.

Lauren Nolan (Nee Fitzsimmons) was the best pitcher for the program, of course during his tenure at Baranowski. She threw a grand prize as a senior in the 2008 Somerset County final and helped BR compete in the state division final, winning CN Player of the Year honors. She also served as a college assistant to Baranowski for several years, but it still helps as a volunteer at times.

"Sandy Baronowski is more than just a coach; she is a mentor, leader and friend," Nolan said. "She has an incredible way to bring people together, and she helps countless young female athletes drive not only in softball but in the years they grew up. Her career has been successful in every sense of the way - not only in winning seasons, but also in winning seasons, but in life, she has been positively affected. As a high school teacher and coach, it's a real success, a measure of success, and it's totally."

Not only are Baranowski affected players, but some have joined the coaching ranks after their careers, and the lessons they have learned play for her players.

Lindsay Durant played for Baranowski for four years before graduating in 2008, and then played for Marist for four years. She has been a fifth season as softball coach at South Amboy.

"Coach B has an impact so much that I know the only way to make a move forward is to become a college coach myself, inspire and improve the next generation of athletes," Durant said. “Softball is a spiritual sport and Coach B is a master in managing the emotions of the game. One feature I’m trying to emulate is her unwavering enthusiasm – I honestly don’t remember when she didn’t clap, cheer or lift us up.

"While some coaches make frustrated performances, especially after mistakes - Coach B always makes her players feel supported. This is her superpower. She drives athlete progress while creating an environment of encouragement and quiet, timely correction. Her leaders continue to inspire how I coach today."

“Coaching is the greatest thing in my life,” Balanovsky said. "I'm a good player, but for me, it's more. It's a team leader, trying to get them to perform. You get your own people. Some years, some people go out of business. But letting the kids believe in themselves, it's the most amazing thing."

Since the start of the last school year, Baranowski has known this season will be her last. She said she would continue to coach if retired teachers were not allowed to be on the under 60 team if they did not allow retired teachers to stay in touch with their team, but she kept peace with her decision.

As she prepares for the team for the final playoffs, the Panthers will host Baringer in the first round of the North Group 24 game, scheduled for Wednesday - she said she had a moment to stop and join it all.

"It's so fun, but bittersweet and super emotional," Balanovsky said. His last representative BR will be at the Skyland Conference All-Star Game, held on June 17 at Diamond Nation. "I take a step back from time to time (bring in), or if I go to a certain school. (Bernard softball coach and friend) Leslie (O'Conner) (O'Conner) named it "Farewell Journey" and I've been using that phrase. It's funny, I have a lot of laughter everywhere."

Sure, there are a lot of things she will miss, and she isn't sure what the pension has prepared for her, but one thing she is sure she won't miss.

"Everyone I talk to, all my retired friends, everyone loves it. I know I will," Balanovsky said. "But that's the only thing I know. I have some plans, but the thing I'm most looking forward to isn't to be awakened by the amazing alarm at 5:30 a.m. I love to work. I still love to work. But I never want to set an alarm for the rest of my life."

Staff worker Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ Sports since 1997 and has been playing softball since 1999. couriersoftball@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter/X @SimeonPincus