A former local valley high school, college and minor league baseball standout has been named Pioneer Valley High School’s varsity baseball coach.

Cody Smith is moving across town from St. Joseph High School where he also coached baseball. He takes over the program from Mike Glen. Smith’s credentials are in physical education/health and will teach REACH classes.

“It is nice to come back to where my coaching roots all started,’’ Smith said. “Pioneer Valley gave me the opportunity to grow in my life after baseball and everyone from the administration, faculty and staff really helped me grow as an educator, coach and person. I am really looking forward to getting back into the black and teal and ready to work hard for the students and athletes at the school. I am ready to take the baseball program back to being competitive and producing talents like Kevin Rucker and Chad De La Guerra, who had the opportunity to play at the professional level, just to name a few. It’s time to show how good Panther baseball can be and I look forward to working with all of the young men in the baseball program.”

Smith graduated from St. Joseph in 2000 where he played football and baseball for all four years. He then played baseball for two years at Hancock College and one year at Fresno State University before joining the minor league pro ranks of Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padre Organizations.

Athletic Director Jeff Monteiro said the Panther Family is “ecstatic” about Smith returning to the campus where he started his coaching career.

“Coach Smith brings with him a high baseball IQ, a wealth of experience and we are also excited about his enthusiasm and leadership qualities,’’ Monteiro said. “He was recently coach of the year at St. Joseph. We are pleased to have somebody with his baseball background, and a background in teaching to lead our students in the baseball program.’’