ODA Thunder taps new head coach

Tim Orlosky couldn’t wait to get to the ballpark.

He spent all week thinking about it.

There was just something about the thrill of competition and playing around in the dugout with his teammates that the then 5-year-old couldn’t get enough of. The feeling only intensified the older he got.
Orlosky became enthralled with the sport, and he soon realized he was right where he belonged.

“I wasn’t terribly good at the other sports that I tried, but baseball was easier and I enjoyed it,” Orlosky says. “I couldn’t wait to get there. I lived for it when I was younger.

“I like the competition and winning, but I also like the bond,” Orlosky says. “It’s fun to be a part of a larger group and the camaraderie that comes with it.”

Now the former Venice High and University of South Florida outfielder is hoping to share some of his insight and passion for the game with his new team.

Orlosky recently was named The Out-of-Door Academy’s new varsity baseball coach. Orlosky becomes the program’s third head coach, replacing former coach Billy Dietrich.

“Tim embraces the core values that ODA stands for: excellence, respect, integrity and service,” ODA Athletic Director Brett Timmons says. “He has a desire to get back out into the community where he (played) baseball. He has so much respect, and I think he’ll be able to take what coach (Billy) Dietrich and (Mike) Verrill did and push us on to the next level.”

After graduating from Venice in 2001, Orlosky went on to play for Daytona State College, where he was named an All-Conference Outfielder in 2002 and 2003 and 1st Team All-Region in 2003. He also helped Daytona State capture its first conference championship in 2003.

Orlosky went on to play at the University of South Florida, for which he batted .327 with seven homeruns, as the Bulls’ leadoff hitter.

“I felt less pressure at the plate,” Orlosky says. “Statistically, you’re going to fail more times that you’re going to succeed, and yet you can still be a great hitter.”

Upon graduation, Orlosky, who earned his bachelor’s degree in education, quickly began to miss being on the field every day.

Orlosky decided to reach out to his former coach and, before long, he returned to Daytona State where he served as the Falcons’ hitting and outfield coach, as well as the head coach of the developmental team.
Orlosky served as a JV assistant coach at Venice High before taking over as the JV head coach from 2008 to 2009, when he coached the Indians to a 19-4 record.

Most recently, Orlosky served as the assistant athletic director and assistant varsity baseball coach at Windermere Preparatory School in Orlando.

“I really like coaching,” Orlosky says. “I enjoyed playing, but the most rewarding thing about baseball is following the guys who I coached and watching them grow up. Watching them become men and good people is the most enjoyable part for me.”

Orlosky knew about ODA and had seen the progress the program had made over the past few years. So, when the position became available a couple of months ago, Orlosky jumped at the opportunity.

“It’s kind of like coming back home for me,” Orlosky says. “My No. 1 objective is definitely to grow the players, not necessarily talent wise, but to make them better people for having been in the program.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Orlosky also will oversee the maintenance of ODA’s athletic infrastructure, as the school’s new associate athletic director for facilities management.

Orlosky also will be responsible for making sure all of ODA’s athletic facilities are pristine and preparing them for all home competitions.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].