Retired Roswell coach John Coen speaks to the audience during the Georgia Dugout Club Hall of Fame Induction ceremony December 13 at the Atlanta Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

GDC Clinic kicks off 2025 season

The first practice isn't allowed until January 27.

But the unofficial start to the 2025 high school baseball season in Georgia began Dec. 12-14 during the annual Georgia Dugout Club Coaches Clinic held at the Atlanta Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

Coaches were treated to three days of top-notch speakers and instruction, capping the three-day event with the annual awards ceremony.

The GDC inducted five new members into its Hall of Fame - retired Roswell coach John Coen, Forsyth County coach Byron Orr, retired Jefferson coach Tommy Knight, retired Loganville coach Jeff Segars and retired Irwin County coach Cliff Tankersley.

Coen started the Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday with a humorous acceptance speech.

"There's a lot more of me now," Coen joked. "You eat school lunches for 41 years and you'll look like me too."

Longtime GDC ambassador Donnie English was awarded Ethics in Coaching Award, the top honor given at the clinic.

More than 500 coaches attended along with some of the top baseball/softball vendors in the Southeast.