Columbiana High School Baseball Home Opener features Franken vs. Franken at Firestone Park
Head Varsity Coach Bryce Franken makes his home game debut on Thursday, March 30th against his father Mark Franken (Heartland Christian Head Coach)
Firestone Park will be the site for the Columbiana Clippers to take on the Heartland Christian Lions; it will also be the site for Bryce Franken to debut as Head Varsity Coach against his father, Mark Franken. “When you are a kid, you dream of playing ball at the highest level,” Bryce began. “When you have as great of a coach as I had growing up, my dad, you really believe it can happen. My brother (Chase) got most of the talent, and with time and circumstances, dreams change. I would say that getting the opportunity to coach against my dad in my very first home game as the head coach of my alma mater is a new dream come true,” he finished.
Bryce is a familiar face to Columbiana—he served as Assistant Varsity Coach for the Clippers for 4 years and also helped lead the team to a District Final in 2022. He is a 2014 Clipper Graduate and was a 4-year Varsity Letterman in Baseball. He is currently in his third year as a CMS Math Teacher.
Thursday will mark the beginning of a new Era in Clipper Baseball, but Bryce says it will also be a meaningful day for the Franken Family— “Fun fact about the whole thing is that it happens to fall on my mom’s birthday. [It will be a] pretty cool present for her, I think. And, while it is sure to be a great time, I know once that ball flies we will be all business. And, those that know us best know that we wouldn’t want to have it any other way. It’s certainly an exciting time for the Franken family!”
GAME DAY INFORMATION:
- Firestone Park Baseball Field: 338 E. Park Avenue Columbiana, OH 44408
- Thursday, March 30th
- First Pitch at 5pm
- Admission is free