Chris Gogolewski is getting back to baseball after a 14-year absence.

Gogolewski, a former Austin Packer baseball assistant coach who used to play minor league baseball in the Texas Rangers organization, recently accepted the head baseball coaching position with the Packers and he’ll be glad to be back in the dugout this spring.

“I’m excited to be back in baseball,” Gogolewski said. “I didn’t think that I’d be back in at this level.”

Gogolewski, who was a left-handed pitcher, played his high school baseball in Oshkosh, Wis. and he played for four years at the University of St. Mary’s before being drafted in the 15th round of the MLB draft by the Texas Rangers.

He went on to play for three years of Class ‘A’ baseball.

“I learned how to handle severe competition when I played at that level,” Gogolewski said.

Gogolewski was an assistant coach for the Packers from 1997-1999 and he’s ready to run his own program. He’s currently an assistant volleyball coach for the Packers, but as soon as volleyball season is done, he’ll begin setting up his baseball program.

“Baseball doesn’t change. You’ve got to throw strikes and throw ground balls,” Goglewski said. “My philosophy is that a team should be fundamentally sound and mentally strong. We’ll be solid in all of the fundamentals.”

Gogolewski said his team won’t hesitate to bunt when necessary and his pitchers will take smart approaches.

“I believe good pitching beats good hitting,” Gogolewski said. “I’m also looking forward to our juniors and seniors taking on a leadership role and buying into the program.”

Gogolewski was Austin’s boys golf coach, but he had to give that position up to take the baseball job.

“I was working with some fantastic kids and they loved golf,” he said. “I’ll miss them.”