Iowa City West's Charlie Stumpff reaches 700 career wins

IOWA CITY — Iowa City West Coach Charlie Stumpff reached a significant coaching milestone this week.

All the wins he has helped players earn over the years still have him third in his old neighborhood. Stumpff grew up in the baseball-rich town of Norway, living near Hall of Fame coaches Jim Van Scoyoc and Harold 'Pinky' Primrose.

'I'm third on our block in wins,' Stumpff said Thursday afternoon after practice with his 7-1 Trojans. 'My house was on Railroad Street, Main Street. Diagonally was Van Scoyoc, who has way more wins and just across the alley diagonally was Pinky.

'It keeps me humble. I can't even win the block in Norway.'

West's 9-4 victory in a doubleheader split with host Cedar Falls on Tuesday gave Stumpff 700 career wins. He became one of just six active coaches and just the 28th coach in the state to reach the win plateau, according to Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association records.

'I don't know what to really think about it,' said Stumpff, in his 24th season leading the Trojans. 'I'm proud of it. People have thought enough about me to keep me around this long.'

Stumpff played for Van Scoyoc, who retired with 850 victories, and coached for Primrose, who has 728 victories at Cedar Rapids Washington and Coe College. He also coached for Marion Hall of Fame Coach Terry Heald.

He meshed some of their styles with his own, but the biggest impression may have been their love of the game and character.

'You have those role models,' said Stumpff, who wanted to follow by his brother, Don, into coaching. 'If you pay attention just a little bit, you're on a pretty good path with those three and their accomplishments, passion and being good people. They took good care of me.'

The 58-year-old skipper is 701-382 overall, including 627 victories at West. He has made 10 state tournament appearances, tying his mentor Van Scoyoc. The Trojans have made it nine times since 2004, reaching five championship games with three straight runner-up finishes. Stumpff also guided the 1991 Northeast Hamilton team to state.

Stumpff has more affection for the players and the stories they share when they return to reminisce about past seasons. Of all the victories, the first state berths were memorable.

He recalled a Lineville-Clio pitcher dominating his 1991 Northeast Hamilton squad in substate play. He even began to think about the postgame when they rallied and won, reaching the Class 1A state tournament, which was won for the final time by Norway.

Stumpff also remembered the 2004 West team that upset powers Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Cedar Rapids Kennedy to make the 4A state field.

'The first year getting to state in both places is truly magical,' Stumpff said. 'You try not to take it for granted. We're still chasing the elusive (championship) one. We have things to get out there.'

Stumpff was at the West batting cages Thursday afternoon long after the Trojans had finished practice. He said he can't begin to estimate the number of hours logged at the baseball diamond over the years. Stumpff said he wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world, working with the players and teaching them the game, and doesn't plan to stop anytime soon.

'We've had really good kids,' Stumpff said. 'We're lucky in our community with the quality, character and parents. Everybody has that, but we're just fortunate to have good kids.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com