Community Connect: Meet Stephen Clements, New Head Baseball Coach at West Blocton High School
By Savannah Logan
West Blocton High School’s baseball team is stepping up to the plate with its new head coach, Stephen Clements. With a deep passion for the game and a commitment to fostering character both on and off the field, Coach Clements brings a wealth of experience and a heart for mentoring young athletes. In this Community Connect feature, we get to know the man behind the uniform, his journey to West Blocton, and his vision for the Tigers.
Can you tell us about your family?
“I am married to April Clements and we have two wonderful children. Our daughter is now Hali Belcher, married to Michael Belcher. They have two daughters, Ella Kate Belcher, 4 years old, and Anna Bradley Belcher, 4 months old. Our son is T.B. Clements; he is 20 years old and in college to be a veterinarian.”
Can you tell us a little about your background—where you grew up and how you became involved in baseball?
“I am originally from Marion, Alabama. I have been a head baseball coach for about 12 years. My last head baseball job was at Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama, for 5 years.”
Who was your biggest inspiration growing up, both on and off the field?
“First of all I am a devout Christian and was raised in a Christian home. My number one inspiration is Jesus who has always blessed me and is the only reason I am able to take my next breath. His grace and patience with me has always been amazing and I have never done anything good in my life that he did not persuade me to do. Second would be my parents, they always instilled in me a great work effort and always told me that if I was going to do something, then do it to the best of my ability.“
When you’re not coaching or thinking about baseball, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?
“I really enjoy spending time with my family, doing everything together. My son and I are really into duck hunting as well.“
What led you to pursue a career in coaching, and what does it mean to you to coach at West Blocton High School?
“I think Jesus has a plan for us all to do something special and this was his plan for me. I truly believe you have to be called into education. West Blocton is a great place and I am blessed to be able to be a small part of such a great school.“
How would you describe your coaching style, and how do you plan to motivate your players?
“I am very laid back on game days. I believe this is the players’ time to show what they have worked on during practice time. I believe you have to make practice harder than the games and try to create as much failure during practice as possible. This, in turn, will make mistakes in the game much easier to overcome and just play the next pitch.”
What are your short-term and long-term goals for the baseball team?
“First, I want to be sure to instill into all my players that we are doing more than just baseball. We need to have young men represent West Blocton with a high standard on and off the field. I know these players have had a revolving door of coaches the past 7 years, and we have to have stability in the program if we are ever going to have the program that we want. Next, we have to learn how to compete and how to win. This is what a true program is about, the ability to compete at a high level year in and year out.”
What do you see as the team’s greatest strengths, and what areas do you want to focus on improving?
“I think these guys have great work ethics and have a few natural leaders. We just have to learn to have a winning mindset. This is not just on the scoreboard but has to be a mentality. We have to hold our program to a standard that we set for ourselves, and then we can focus on everything else.”
How do you approach building a team culture that fosters both athletic and personal growth?
“My philosophy has always been team first. I am not worried about the name on the back of the jersey, we have to focus on the front. When we make the team the most important thing, we will be successful.”
Coach Clements is clearly passionate about not only baseball but also about shaping young lives and building a lasting legacy at West Blocton High School. With his faith, family values, and dedication, the Tigers are set up for success both on and off the field. We look forward to seeing the positive impact he’ll have on the team and the community.
Welcome to West Blocton, Coach Clements!
