(EDITOR’S NOTE - This is the third in a series of articles that will appear in the Times News on Thursdays during the summer, highlighting former area coaches and athletes as they reflect on their careers and discuss their current endeavors.)

Blue Ridge Cable sports director Bob Capasso realizes how Jeff Nietz truly has a passion for the game of baseball.

“It has been a lot of fun working baseball with Jeff,” reflected Capasso, about his baseball broadcasting partner for the past seven seasons. “He comes in as both a coach and fan of the game. His knowledge as a coach brings baseball intelligence to our telecasts and he explains it in a way that both experts and novice fans can understand.”

In his current role as a color commentator for TV-13, Nietz has seen baseball through virtually every lens possible.

Nietz was a successful player at Central Columbia High School and then at Bloomsburg University. He then spent 30 years with the Marian baseball program - 20 of them as a head coach. Nietz compiled an overall 275-164 record as a head coach, making 19 trips to the district playoffs. His teams also won nine Schuylkill League division championships. His career highlight occurred in 2011 when his team won a district title and advanced to the state’s Elite Eight in the Class A.

After decades as a part of the Colts’ program, Nietz became the head baseball coach at Penn State-Hazleton before he stepped into his current role as the college’s recruiting director for athletics.

Since high school, It has been a baseball odyssey as a player, coach, analyst, and recruiter - all phases in which the game always has been by his side. In many ways, his life has come full circle as Nitez attended PSU-Hazleton before he transferred to Bloomsburg. Nietz also earned a master’s degree from Penn State in counselor education, a position he helped for several years.

His last venture into television has reminded him to keep an open mind about the game.

“It’s another learning experience and something I love,” he said about the broadcast venture. “I’m not one of those baseball stats guys. I’m more like the guy who is trying to figure out what pitch to throw the right-handed batter to hit into a double play.

“I see it as more of a chess match. That’s what I love about the game.”

Unlike his other baseball travels, working in the TV booth was a true learning experience.

“The first time I did a game, I didn’t think I was that good,” remembered Nietz. “I just wasn’t used to it. After the game, the producer thought I did a good job, but he told me that I needed to talk more.

“I found myself getting caught up watching the game instead of analyzing it.”

Nietz also has embraced his relationship with Capasso.

“When I was offered the job, he told me that I ‘was the first person he thought of,’” recounted Neitz . “I have enjoyed doing it ever since.

“Bob is such a fabulous person and announcer. I have learned so much about broadcasting from him, and he showed me how to prepare for a game. I learned how to describe things without being partial to any team.”

Nietz has experienced a cavalcade of memories during any broadcast of a Marian game.

“I get those pangs of homecoming,” said Nietz. “I was in the third base coach’s box at Marian for 30 years so it conjures a lot of memories.”

Nietz has appreciated the local support he has received since starting his broadcasting career.

“We did 30 games this past season,” he said. “I hear people talking about the games we did on TV and know we are doing a service to many people. You can hear and sense the public interest.

“It gives me a neat feeling of being able to sit at a game and talk about what I know. It’s even easier having Bob by my side.”

Current Marian head coach Tony Radocha played under Nietz at Marian and was his assistant coach from 2009-14 before he took over when Nietz stepped aside. The two have been lifelong friends as Nietz’s father-in-law and Radocha’s grandfather were good friends.

Since his youth, Radocha has cherished their relationship.

“He was an absolute players’ coach,” said Radocha. “He let you be you while bringing out the best in you. Playing for him you wanted to compete and win for yourself, Marian, and for him. I couldn’t have asked for a better baseball coach.

“He gave me my shot at coaching high school baseball, and allowed me to grow in that position. He gave me the responsibility of running practices and using in-game adjustments. I wouldn’t be the coach I am today if it wasn’t for Jeff Nietz.”

Radocha also has seen Nietz grow in his broadcast position.

“Coaches see practices and games differently from the average fan,” added Radocha. “Jeff brings that aspect to his live action broadcasts and brings the game to life by coaching the fans at home. It was a position he was made for.”

After a six-year stint as coach of the Penn-State Hazleton team, Nietz decided to hang up his cleats in May, and concentrate fully on his duties as recruiting director for athletics.

“It always is a challenge,” said Nietz. “Kids sometimes want to go Division II or Division III, and they don’t realize that this can be a good fit for them. It’s tough because kids don’t want to hear it. Each coach starts out talking to 30 to 40 high school players, and we’ll be lucky to get four or more of them.

“But when kids get here, they usually realize they are at the right place. We believe we lead them in the right direction.”

Athletic director Patrice Lombard has valued Nietz’s presence and contributions.

“Coach Nietz has been in his role as recruiting coordinator since 2019, and the transition has been seamless,” said Lombard.”This is mostly due to the institutional knowledge he has garnered over the years.

“In his nearly six years with the university, he has honed his recruiting skills and has helped grow not only the baseball program, but our other sports programs as well. His unique perspective as a Penn State Dad, helps him relate to parents on a deeper level, while his years of coaching experience speaks volumes to prospective student-athletes.

“Jeff plays a vital role in the success of Penn State Hazleton’s Athletics Department, and we are lucky to have him.”

Overall, Nietz credits his success to the support of his family. His sons, Frank and Soctt, were Marian standouts, and he described his daughter Lauren, who starred in volleyball at Marian and later at PSU-Hazleton, as the “best baseball scorekeeper I ever had.” His wife Rita has been his anchor. Frank, who played at Lebanon Valley, is an assistant coach at Halifax High School, which won a state championship three years ago, and Scott played at Albright College.

“If I didn’t have the support of them, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Nietz. “They always have been with me, and we are all in this together.”

Through the years, Nietz has tried to create a sense of family at all of his stops.

“His love of the game shines through as well and that makes it enjoyable for us and especially for the viewers,” said Capasso. “He comes prepared, but even more, is excited to be there and that makes him a joy to be around.”

For Nietz, there has been plenty of joy to spread around over the years - especially when it comes to the game of baseball.