Celebrating Coach John Carlock’s Legacy

Celebrating Coach John Carlock’s Legacy
Posted on 04/04/2023
John Carlock

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 4, 2023) – Celebrating a legacy in coaching—and in the community—Manatee County Commissioners have unanimously voted to rename the big-league baseball field at G.T. Bray Park as "John Carlock Field" in honor of the coach's contributions to the sport and society. A renaming ceremony is set to take place on the field April 14, 2023, from 5:45 to 7:00 p.m.

Coach Carlock, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, was a well-respected coach and teacher in Manatee County. After beginning as an instructor at Prine Elementary School in 1981, he moved to Manatee High School the next school year and took the reins of the Hurricanes’ baseball team, compiling a 158-89 record from 1984 to 1993. He also spent several years coaching football and fastpitch softball at Manatee High.

He was the first baseball coach at the new Braden River High School in 2005-06, leading the Pirates to a 21-28 record over the first two seasons. His dedication and passion for his work left a lasting impact on the community, and his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched.

The ceremony includes the unveiling of the new sign bearing Coach Carlock's name, a dedication of the field in his honor and other festivities paying tribute to his contributions as a teacher and coach. The event will be followed by a Manatee High School home baseball game, with the Hurricanes hosting the Lennard High School Longhorns.

"I am thrilled that we are renaming the Manatee High Baseball Field at G.T. Bray after Coach Carlock," said Manatee County Commission Chair Kevin Van Ostenbridge. "This is a fitting tribute to his legacy as an outstanding coach and teacher who had a positive impact on many young people's lives."

The Manatee County Sports and Leisure Services Department is proud to host this commemorative event and invites everyone to attend the ceremony and enjoy the game afterwards. There is a $5 admission cost for the game, and tickets must be purchased online.

Information about Manatee High School’s game policies, including tickets, parking and stadium/gym seating