Booher fired as LEC hoops coach

year’s voting is announced Wednesday. He could become only the second Hall of Famer who was primarily a designated hitter.

“I think it’s kind of like relief pitchers: Once the first couple started to get in, people had to accept the fact that they’re part of the game now,” said MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby, who voted for Martinez for the first time this year. “You can’t get around them. You can’t ignore it. And so, you have to give them consideration.”

Martinez received 25.2 percent in 2014, when Frank Thomas became the first player elected after spending the majority of his career as DH, a position instituted in 1973. Martinez rose to 27 percent the following year, 43.4 percent in 2016 and 58.6 percent last year. He is on 77.1 percent of the 231 ballots obtained by Ryan Thibodaux and posted on his Hall of Fame vote-tracker.

Lake Erie College women’s basketball coach Bob Booher was fired Jan. 22 after 12-plus seasons on the job.

LEC director of athletics Kelley Kish confirmed Jan. 23 that Booher had been dismissed, along with longtime assistant coach Darren Jones.

Kish said graduate assistant coach Sarah Bonar is the new head coach. Sharday Baines has been added to the staff as assistant coach.

LEC director of public relations Michelle Kolk said Booher was dismissed for what she called “an unspecified violation of the employee handbook.” She declined to elaborate further on the violation.

In a telephone interview with The News-Herald, Booher confirmed his firing and said Jones was not cited for any infraction. Booher said he was informed of his dismissal Jan. 22 by Kish and Andrea Myers, LEC’s director of human resources.

“I have no comment beyond saying this hit me out of left field,” Booher said.

What turned out to be Booher’s final game as coach was an 81-76 home loss to Ohio Dominican on Jan. 20. LEC’s next game is Jan. 25 at home against Cedarville.

The Storm’s records this season are 9-9 overall and 5-7 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference

Booher leaves LEC with a career record of 125-211.