When the baseball team took the field Saturday against rival B-CC, a familiar face was missing from the dugout.  Coach Joe Cassidy, who led the team since the 2008 season, had resigned from his coaching position the day before, citing personal issues.

Cassidy handed his letter of resignation to principal Alan Goodwin Friday afternoon, Goodwin said. Soon after, Cassidy went to baseball practice to inform the team of his decision. Goodwin said he was unaware of Cassidy’s plan until he received the letter. In response to an interview request from The Black & White, Cassidy wrote in an email, “I resigned from the Whitman baseball coaching position for personal reasons. That is all I have to say.”

Cassidy will continue to teach physical education classes. The door is open for him to return as baseball coach for the 2014 season, but no decision has been made as to whether that will happen, Goodwin said.

In the meantime, assistant coach Pat Skellchock will take over the helm in an interim role until the end of the season, athletic director Andy Wetzel said. Before coming to Whitman, Skellchock coached pitching at Montgomery College and was the head coach at Kennedy High School.

Baseball fans hope Skellchock and the other assistant coaches can help the baseball community get through this transition.

“It’s very difficult on the players, of course, and the families, and we’re hoping that they can regroup and have a successful season,” Goodwin said. “Fortunately, some of the assistant coaches are stepping up to help out.”

Friday afternoon, after Cassidy made his announcement, some players took to Twitter and Facebook to express support for Cassidy and pay tribute to his number 11 jersey. Although the Vikes lost to B-CC following Cassidy’s resignation, many players believe their coach’s exit will bring the team closer together.

“Already, we’re tighter together as a group,” captain Patrick Hisle said. “We count on each other more. I feel like it will only do positive things for our team unity, team bonding.”

In his five full seasons coaching baseball, Cassidy made his mark on the program. The team posted a record of 78-29 during his tenure, including a 7-1 start this season, according to MaxPreps, the CBS-owned high school sports website. That win-loss ratio gives Cassidy a winning percentage of .729, the highest in Whitman baseball history. Other highlights of Cassidy’s career include leading the team to two regional semifinal games, in 2009 and 2012, and coaching Michael Flack (’12) to a First Team All-Met honor in 2012.

While Cassidy will no longer man the bench for the Vikings, he has spoken with Skellchock to facilitate the coaching changeover, Wetzel said. Additionally, his presence in the school means Cassidy will be available to give tips to players, many of whom have a close relationship with him.

“We all still view him as our coach,” Hisle said. “He’s still as much a part of the team as anybody. He’s just not available to be on the field for personal reasons.”