South Shelby’s Rich becomes first to play and coach in Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game

HANNIBAL, Mo. — It felt different for Jacob Rich this time around.

But at the same time, it all felt familiar.

The South Shelby baseball coach took the reins of the Missouri team for Saturday’s 10th annual Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game at the Veterans Sports Complex. By doing so, he became the first person to both play and coach in this all-star game. He played in the third edition of the game at Clemens Field as a senior at North Shelby in 2015.

“That was a fun time,” Rich said of playing in the game.

Rich remembered at least minor success from that game.

“I did alright. I got on base. I don’t remember if it was a hit or walk or what, but I remember stealing a base,” Rich said. “That’s about all I did I think.”

Rich said he got more nervous about coaching in the game than playing in it.

“It’s a little more stressful,” Rich said. “I was talking to my wife yesterday and I’m like, ‘I’m a little more stressed out than I thought I would be with it being an all-star game.'”

Most of this stress stemmed from making sure every player got the playing time they earned by being selected to this game.

“The coordinating side of coaching is definitely a lot heavier here, just figuring out ‘How do I get everyone in? How do I make sure everyone gets at-bats, fielding time?’” Rich said. “Especially when you have a bunch of guys who play the same position, being able to find a spot for them where they can still help the team.”

Rich had some help managing this stress. One of Rich’s assistant coaches was North Shelby coach Scott Gaines — Rich’s coach when he played at North Shelby.

“I’d never actually gotten to coach with him, so getting to coach with him, that was a cool experience for sure,” Rich said.

Rich admitted it was a bit strange to be the one in charge this time around. He also picked Gaines’ brain a little bit, too.

“It’s definitely weird to make that switch,” Rich said. “Like I’m the one in charge, but I’m also like, ‘What would you do in this situation?’ That’s one great thing about coaching in general is being able to fall back on guys who have more experience and pick their brain on things.”

Coaching the players he has coached against for two, three or even four years provided a unique perspective as well.

“It’s definitely different,” Rich said. “You kind of have to go back through and look at past games play against them, remember what their strengths were and be able to use that instead of playing against it. You almost have to scout your own team more so than the team you’re playing.”

It didn’t change what it meant to him to participate in it.

“Getting to come back and coach in it was definitely a special feeling,” Rich said.