Bruce Carlyle and University of Delaware Coach Jim Sherman next to the new batting cages
Lynne Carlyle
Having a positive impact on a program or a group of young people is one of the best experiences one can have. On Sunday, April 27 Bruce Carlyle returned to the University of Delaware to learn just how special it is. Bruce had served for 20 years as hitting coach for the UD Blue Hens Baseball Team and on this occasion of a rededication of renovations to the stadium they honored him by naming the new practice batting facility Carlyle Cages. In the seventh inning of the baseball game he was called onto the field and presented a plaque that replicates the sign now on the new batting cages. It reads:
Carlyle Cages
The Carlyle Cages at Bob Hannah Stadium are named in honor of former Assistant Coach Bruce Carlyle ‘66, who coached from 1970 to 1990 and who played football and baseball at the University of Delaware. Coach Carlyle was regarded as one of the top national hitting coaches and helped the Blue Hens advance to the NCAA Tournament five times, including the College World Series in 1970. Under his leadership, Delaware ranked in the NCAA Division I Top 10 teams in batting six times.
The Carlyle Cages are made possible by former players of Assistant Coach Bruce Carlyle ‘66.
Rededicated April 27, 2014
Prior to the game over 200 people, including 80 Delaware baseball alumni, many from Bruce’s era, attended a reception to thank all those who donated to the stadium refurbishment effort. Bruce later expressed, “Seeing and talking to all the players that I had not seen in so long was really quite special. You know more than a few times after I moved on from coaching I wondered if I really had made an impact on the program and the players that I had the opportunity to coach. The whole weekend guys came up to me telling me how happy they were to see me and how much I impacted their lives long after their playing days. That made me feel pretty special.”