Coach Dan Kane greets players off the field during a home game this season. By Anne Berleant
Blue Hill—George Stevens Academy baseball coach Dan Kane hit his 30th year at the helm of the program this year. With multiple regional championships under his belt, and a couple state championships to go along with them, Kane’s teams have had a level of success to rival that of the school’s recent but historic basketball legacy.
Kane won a state championship right out of the gate during his first season in 1988, the first for the program in school history.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have talented and dedicated boys come through the program,” said Kane. “That makes a big difference.”
One of the keys to the success Kane’s teams have had is consistency in the program.
“At this point, everyone knows coming in who they’re playing for, what the program is like, what the expectations are,” said Kane. “I attempt to be fair with all the players, and they know that.”
While the game has stayed consistent, with only small rule changes here and there throughout the years, Kane said his approach to coaching the sport has changed over time.
“The players are much more informed about things now,” he said. “They have access to more information about the game. My approach is to help them find structure and confidence. The talent comes off that.”
A talented baseball player himself, Kane was part of the 1983 Class B state championship team at Ellsworth High School, the first state championship in school history. Following his high school career, Kane put his efforts and focus into becoming a walk-on for the University of Maine in Orono. It was a difficult task, he said, but worth it in the end.
“It was a challenge,” he said. “I had to prove myself, and I was fortunate enough to be able to do that.”
Kane was a power hitter, hitting in the designated hitter spot offensively and playing in the outfield defensively.
A Class C school, George Stevens Academy, Kane said, has been on the cusp of not being able to man both a JV and varsity team, due to numbers of interested players. Kane said there are a few reasons for the drop off, including students focusing on being single sport athletes.
“There is an interesting thing going on right now,” he said. “More kids are focusing on just one sport, playing summer travel basketball, that sort of thing. As a coach, the smaller numbers are probably one of the biggest stressors.”
Kane added that one of the advantages he has felt George Stevens Academy has had over the last few seasons is the JV program, as many schools in Class C no longer have enough players, or enough money in the budget, to field a team.
With 30 years of coaching under his belt, Kane said that he still gets excited for every new season.
“If I ever get to the point where I don’t, I’ll know it’s time to retire,” he said.