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Former New Oxford AD takes over as Littlestown softball coach


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When Ken Shafer retired as New Oxford athletic director last February, he thought becoming an assistant softball coach at Littlestown would be an easy part-time commitment.

It's become a lot more than that.

Shafer will take over as the Bolts' head coach this spring, filling a void that was created when former coach Henry Wardrop resigned shortly before last season. Littlestown athletic director Jeff Laux served as the team's interim coach last season.

Having served as New Oxford's head softball coach for 15 of his 17 years at the school, Shafer is no stranger to the sport. Still, he admitted he never expected to be leading another program again so soon.

“It wasn’t something I was looking for but I’ve been doing this a while and I enjoy working with the players," Shafer said. "Whether I’m an assistant or a head coach I enjoy it. For an old man like me it helps me stay young.”

Shafer said he became interested in taking the assistant job last year because he had previously coached with Wardrop at New Oxford. While it wasn't his plan to take the top job, he doesn't think he'll retire again anytime soon.

"I don’t plan on going away," he said.

The Bolts are coming off back-to-back division titles, but bring back just three starters from last seasons team. Despite that, Shafer said the team's expects to be a contender in both Division III and the YAIAA.

And while Shafer will be the fourth head coach the current group of seniors have had in their careers, senior Lindsey Snyder said the Bolts have plenty of familiarity with him after last season.

"It's been different because each coach has something different they want to do, but last year (Shafer) was a part of the decisions that were made," Snyder said. "Obviously he was a head coach before, so we know he knows what he's talking about."

Orwig steps in as Bermudian Springs' baseball coach

Shafer is not the only longtime Adams County athletic director who will be jumping back into coaching this spring. Bermudian Springs athletic director Dave Orwig will be taking over as the school's baseball coach, a post he previously held from 1994 to 2008.

Orwig will try to rebuild a program that has fallen off in recent years after winning a state title in 2010. The Eagles went just 3-17 last season and finished last in YAIAA Division III.

"I have a love for the game and I like kids, that's why I got into education and coaching," Orwig said. "My athletic director position has me very removed from the kids, so it's really nice to actually get more involved with the kids. This is really what my passion is, not pushing paper."