Ryan Robertson, a 2007 graduate from Maplewood Richmond Heights High School, has been selected as an assistant baseball coach, pending school board approval.

Robertson played with head coach Jonathan Webb during MRH's last district title game prior to the 2011 game against Brentwood.

“You know he has a passion and cares about this high school,” athletic director Malcolm Hill said. “He’s going to work hard with our young baseball players, so we’re excited to have him.”

Webb said Robertson will work primarily with infielders and the offensive game, especially base-running skills.

Robertson graduated from the University of Tennessee with a business degree last year, and volunteered as an assistant MRH soccer coach in the fall.

Rob Welcker, also a social studies teacher in the district, will remain the head junior varsity coach and assistant baseball coach.

Looking ahead to the 2012 baseball season, Webb said the team lost some key seniors last year, but the Blue Devils still expect to compete.

“With all due respect to those players, we’re confident with what we’ve got coming back this year,” he said. “We’ve got some guys coming up that have a lot of ability. We’re going look grow as quickly as possible.”

He’s hoping for a repeat of meeting Brentwood in the district final, but with MRH coming out on top. He said the last time MRH won the district title was 1963.

“This year we’re looking to kick it over the edge,” he said.