One last goodbye for coach

Before this season, Jim Stassi told his players to "build a fire." It was just one of his many speeches, with topics ranging from baseball to the everyday facets of teenage life. But when it mattered most, with a four-peat on the line, the coach recycled that spiel, repeating those same words to his group of boys sitting in the left field grass.

"It's an awesome sight to see a fire demolish everything in its sight, a strong fast fire destroys everything in its path with no regrets ... just the strongest elements survive — elements like gold and diamonds found in championship rings."

Prior to each of the last four title games, the Yuba City High baseball coach gave this speech. On Saturday, he recited it once more, as the 2010 Honkers' celebrated their championship, and Stassi officially said goodbye after 18 years.

"It's through your hard work and dedication that Honker baseball is one of the best programs in the state," he said to the crowd.

With local politicians, family, friends, fans and former players in attendance at Winship field, Stassi said his final goodbyes during a ceremony that celebrated everything Yuba City baseball.

That included the 2010 team receiving their rings, which commemorated four consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division III titles for the team. After the Honkers defeated Benicia on May 31, Stassi tearfully admitted he was stepping down, saying he wanted to see his three sons — Brock, Max and Jake — play at the next level.

Stassi's "not one for the limelight," and would have been more than happy to give his players their rings and say farewell sans the fanfare — like the proclamations from Congress, the state assembly, the city and the school board.

But Jim Whiteaker, his physical education teaching colleague and a county supervisor, and many others wouldn't let Stassi's modesty rob the community of a chance to celebrate his accomplishments.

"He just wanted to go out quietly," Whiteaker said.

But Stassi played the game one last time, stepping up to the podium and thanking everyone, from his long list of assistants to the stadium announcer to all the local businesses whose advertisements line the outfield fences.

Come next year there will be one more addition to Joe Graben's retired No. 12 on the centerfield wall — Stassi's No. 33.

"I have such a passion for the game, and I know once I was done playing I had to stay in it," Stassi said.