Whiteoak Coach Chris Veidt enshrined in Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame; first Highland County baseball coach inducted

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Longtime Whiteoak High School boys varsity baseball Chris Veidt accepted a well-deserved induction into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, held this week in conjunction with the OHSBCA Annual Clinic. The Hall of Fame induction is the highlight of the award's luncheon. 

The OHSBCA Hall of Fame was established in 1972. Three people made up its inaugural class of inductees. The 2024 Hall of Fame members comprise the 49th class to be inducted. There are now 178 HOF members. 

In addition to Coach Veidt, this year's class includes: Sean Durkin of Ursuline High School, Michael Shade of Gahanna Lincoln High School, and Mark Pelfrey of Springboro High School.

Induction into the Hall of Fame is based on an individual's accomplishments on the field, service to the OHSBCA, and/or ambassadorship toward the game of baseball in Ohio. Inductees are chosen each fall at the October meeting of the OHSBCA Board of Directors. The OHSBCA Hall of Fame will be located at Bill Davis Stadium on the campus of the Ohio State University. 

"Wow, what a day, simply unbelievable," Bright Local Schools Superintendent Jason Iles said of the ceremony. "Bright Local filled up three tables to support Coach Veidt. His speech was absolutely amazing. You won't find anyone who does it better."

Bright Local Schools School Board member Steve Cox told The Highland County Press, "Yesterday at the OHSBCA Hall of Fame Ceremony, was a great moment for Bright Local School District. Chris Veidt was inducted into Ohio's Baseball Hall of Fame. We had the largest group of supporters, and Jason and Chris had the best speeches."

Cox also thanked former BLSD Board member Chuck Emery for his endorsement of Coach Veidt for the Hall of Fame.

As reported by Stephen and Caitlin Forsha, last November, Highland County commissioners Terry Britton, David Daniels and Brad Roades issued a proclamation in honor of Coach Veidt, prior to his induction into the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Those in attendance to join in the celebration included Veidt’s wife, Kelli; his parents, Christopher and Karen Veidt; his mother-in-law, Drema Howard; several members of Veidt’s coaching staff, including John Combs and his wife Danielle, Bret Malone and DJ O’Cull; Bright Local Superintendent Jason Iles and his wife, Kimberly; Whiteoak Principal JP Gauche; Whiteoak Athletic Director Miah Call; and Bright Local Schools board member Steve Cox and his wife, Ginger.

Britton told Veidt that commissioners wanted to recognize him for the recent announcement that Veidt was selected as a member of the 2024 class of the OHSBCA Hall of Fame. Veidt is the first coach from Highland County to be inducted.

“You've done a tremendous job at Whiteoak High School for many, many years with the baseball program,” Britton said. “We’ve seen all the information that was in the paper, and we felt we owed you some recognition.”

As previously reported by Highland County Press sports editor Stephen Forsha, “Veidt has been a head coach for the Whiteoak baseball program for 32 consecutive seasons, earning an overall record of 462-346, as his teams have won 57 percent of their games in that time frame.

“His teams have won 12 Southern Hills Athletic Conference championships, 16 sectional championships, four district championships and one regional championship, and in that 2018 season the Wildcats earned a trip to the Division IV State Semifinals.

“Numerous individual honors for Veidt leading up to his Hall of Fame nomination include being named Southern Hills Athletic Conference Coach of the Year five times; Southeast District Coach of the Year nine times; State Coach of the Year two times: 2013 Mizuno All-Ohio Coach of the Year and 2023 Augusta All-Ohio Coach of the Year; and 2018 National High School Baseball Coaches Association Region 4 Coach of the Year.

“His Whiteoak teams have been state-ranked 10 times, including a first-place poll ranking in 2018 and a No. 2 final poll ranking in 2023. Veidt has also coached 26 All-Ohio athletes and has had 25 players go on to play college baseball.”

• For more information, visit https://highlandcountypress.com/sandlots-hall-fame-whiteoaks-chris-veid…

and https://highlandcountypress.com/news/longtime-whiteoak-head-coach-chris…

Below, is Coach Veidt in an HCP photo by Stephen Forsha.