Back ailment sidelines coach Jon Gambee for rest of season

Martin varsity baseball coach Jon Gambee, a 1965 graduate of Wayland High School, has placed himself on the disabled list and there are concerns he won’t be back.

Gambee, who started coaching varsity baseball at Martin after the 2013 season, recently developed problems with his back and has been in pain for some time. He said the problem is associated with arthritis and he’s had similar problems in the past, though not as severe. He said he cannot stand up for long periods of time and can’t coach the team in practices and games.

The Clippers now are being guided by junior varsity coach Steve Youngblood and varsity assistant Brandon McCarty and they have fashioned a 5-10 record for the season.

Gambee once was coach of the Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Gull Lake baseball teams. A Vietnam veteran, he lived in Kalamazoo and Richland for many years and now lives in the Hastings area.

He said he would like to come back and coach again, but is not sure if his bad back will permit him. As it stands now, he is on the DL for the rest of this season.

Gambee also has served as sports correspondent for Townbroadcast, and that service is in jeopardy as well.