Larry Baird

Larry Baird, a long-time math teacher and varsity girls softball coach, began his career at DeWitt in 1977. In his first season, the 1978 team finished 21-2 before falling in the regional championship game. Baird's early success as head softball coach was only a glimpse of the championship caliber program he would build from 1978-2006. Built on pitching and defense, his teams would win 11 League Championships, 13 District Championships, and five Regional Championships. The 1998 team, arguably his best, would reach the Class B state semi-finals to cap their record-setting campaign. He would finish his 29 years in the DeWitt softball program ranking #13 nationally with a .749 winning percentage that would propel him to 750 wins all-time and earn him induction into the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1999. This success on the softball diamond can be attributed to his knowledge and dedication to the game. His teams were a reflection of his intense competitive drive, and they thrived on execution of fundamentals in all phases of the game. Baird also took pride in not only teaching his players the game but also donating his time to improving softball around the state as a co-founder of the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association.