FSU sports information:
To recognize 39 years of service to Florida State University and the FSU baseball program, the Seminoles will celebrate former assistant coach and director of operations Chip Baker during the March 9 game against New Orleans.
Baker served as an assistant coach for 18 seasons under Mike Martin from 1985-2002 before transitioning to the director of operations role for 21 years under Martin, Mike Martin Jr. and Link Jarrett. Retiring in September 2023, Baker was a member of 16 FSU teams that reached the College World Series and won 1,856 games during his time at Florida State.
Known to players and fans alike as ‘Big Shooter’, Baker wore jersey No. 3 during his time as FSU’s third base coach. During the celebration against New Orleans, mini posters with Baker’s iconic jersey number will be distributed to the first 3,333 fans and Baker will be recognized on the field in the bottom of the third inning.
Fans are also encouraged to attend a pregame question and answer session with Baker and the Voice of Seminole Baseball, Eric Luallen, from 1-1:30 p.m. in Haggard Plaza at Dick Howser Stadium.
The Saturday game between the Privateers and Seminoles will begin at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets at www.seminoles.com/tickets.
Chip Baker:
Chip Baker remains one of the most popular figures in the Seminole baseball program after his retirement in September 2022. Baker spent 39 seasons with Florida State, serving 18 years as an assistant coach and 21 years as the director of baseball operations.
In 2022, Baker was a part of his 2,000th career win in a career that spans stops at Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and – since 1985 – Florida State.
Baker supervised all facility enhancement projects, the game day experience at Dick Howser Stadium, managed the program’s budget, oversaw team travel logistics and served as the liaison to alumni, former players and other VIPs.
During his tenure with the Seminoles, Baker participated in 37 NCAA postseason tournaments and 16 College World Series appearances, including 11 in 18 years on the field. He was a member of the coaching staff for the 1986 and 1999 teams that reached the CWS championship game. Baker’s duties as an assistant included coaching third base, tutoring FSU’s catchers, scouting opponents and directing the Seminoles’ defensive alignments.
Baker is still known as one of college baseball’s premier catching instructors. During his tenure, Baker coached seven All-American receivers, including Ed Fulton, Barry Blackwell, major-leaguer Marc Ronan, current Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Mike Martin Jr., Jeremy Salazar and Tony Richie. As an administrator, he mentored current Seattle Mariner Cal Raleigh and the 2021 Perfect Game Player of the Year, Mat Nelson.
Baker also served as the long-time director of the Mike Martin and Seminole Advanced Baseball Schools. Over 130 former campers went on to wear the Garnet and Gold and several advanced to the major leagues. Over 30 first round draft picks – including Sean Gilmartin, John-Ford Griffin, Nick Stocks, Jonathan Johnson, J.D. Drew, Chipper Jones, Alex Rodriguez and brothers Justin and Melvin Upton – came through Tallahassee. Baker was on the staff of national and regional clinics and continues to work with local youth organizations putting together clinics.
The North Carolina native has written articles for Scholastic Coach and Collegiate Baseball magazines on the subjects of catching, third base coaching and bunting, and has published a Collegiate Level Strength & Speed book. In 2001, Baker put together a record-selling catching video with Championship Videos entitled, ‘Expanding the Strike Zone.’ A popular speaker with no shortage of stories, Baker continues to address Seminole Booster clubs and civic organizations around the state.
A 1980 graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, Baker was part of four Carolina Conference championship teams, including the 1979 team that was the NAIA World Series runner-up.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in physical education, Baker earned a Master of Science degree in movement science at Virginia Tech, where he began his collegiate coaching career.
Baker is the proud father of Katie, a 2018 graduate of Florida State and a former student manager with the FSU softball team during the team’s run to the 2018 National Championship.
In 2001, Baker and former head coach Mike Martin were presented with the university’s prestigious Westcott Award for their bravery in saving the lives of players and staff during the Seminoles’ road trip to Stanford. Leaving the San Francisco airport, the two coaches gained control of the team’s charter bus after the driver suffered a fatal heart attack, safely guiding the bus to the side of a busy highway.
A voter for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, Baker was recognized in 2006 by the American Baseball Coaches Association ‘For a Quarter Century of Leadership & Devotion to Baseball.’
In April 2014, Baker entered Florida State’s Circle of Gold, an honor acknowledging a worthy individual who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence. For years, Baker also served as a TV analyst for FSU home games on the ACC Network Extra.
To recognize 39 years of service to Florida State University and the FSU baseball program, the Seminoles will celebrate former assistant coach and director of operations Chip Baker during the March 9 game against New Orleans.
Baker served as an assistant coach for 18 seasons under Mike Martin from 1985-2002 before transitioning to the director of operations role for 21 years under Martin, Mike Martin Jr. and Link Jarrett. Retiring in September 2023, Baker was a member of 16 FSU teams that reached the College World Series and won 1,856 games during his time at Florida State.
Known to players and fans alike as ‘Big Shooter’, Baker wore jersey No. 3 during his time as FSU’s third base coach. During the celebration against New Orleans, mini posters with Baker’s iconic jersey number will be distributed to the first 3,333 fans and Baker will be recognized on the field in the bottom of the third inning.
Fans are also encouraged to attend a pregame question and answer session with Baker and the Voice of Seminole Baseball, Eric Luallen, from 1-1:30 p.m. in Haggard Plaza at Dick Howser Stadium.
The Saturday game between the Privateers and Seminoles will begin at 2 p.m. Fans can purchase tickets at www.seminoles.com/tickets.
Chip Baker:
Chip Baker remains one of the most popular figures in the Seminole baseball program after his retirement in September 2022. Baker spent 39 seasons with Florida State, serving 18 years as an assistant coach and 21 years as the director of baseball operations.
In 2022, Baker was a part of his 2,000th career win in a career that spans stops at Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech and – since 1985 – Florida State.
Baker supervised all facility enhancement projects, the game day experience at Dick Howser Stadium, managed the program’s budget, oversaw team travel logistics and served as the liaison to alumni, former players and other VIPs.
During his tenure with the Seminoles, Baker participated in 37 NCAA postseason tournaments and 16 College World Series appearances, including 11 in 18 years on the field. He was a member of the coaching staff for the 1986 and 1999 teams that reached the CWS championship game. Baker’s duties as an assistant included coaching third base, tutoring FSU’s catchers, scouting opponents and directing the Seminoles’ defensive alignments.
Baker is still known as one of college baseball’s premier catching instructors. During his tenure, Baker coached seven All-American receivers, including Ed Fulton, Barry Blackwell, major-leaguer Marc Ronan, current Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol, Mike Martin Jr., Jeremy Salazar and Tony Richie. As an administrator, he mentored current Seattle Mariner Cal Raleigh and the 2021 Perfect Game Player of the Year, Mat Nelson.
Baker also served as the long-time director of the Mike Martin and Seminole Advanced Baseball Schools. Over 130 former campers went on to wear the Garnet and Gold and several advanced to the major leagues. Over 30 first round draft picks – including Sean Gilmartin, John-Ford Griffin, Nick Stocks, Jonathan Johnson, J.D. Drew, Chipper Jones, Alex Rodriguez and brothers Justin and Melvin Upton – came through Tallahassee. Baker was on the staff of national and regional clinics and continues to work with local youth organizations putting together clinics.
The North Carolina native has written articles for Scholastic Coach and Collegiate Baseball magazines on the subjects of catching, third base coaching and bunting, and has published a Collegiate Level Strength & Speed book. In 2001, Baker put together a record-selling catching video with Championship Videos entitled, ‘Expanding the Strike Zone.’ A popular speaker with no shortage of stories, Baker continues to address Seminole Booster clubs and civic organizations around the state.
A 1980 graduate of High Point University in North Carolina, Baker was part of four Carolina Conference championship teams, including the 1979 team that was the NAIA World Series runner-up.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in physical education, Baker earned a Master of Science degree in movement science at Virginia Tech, where he began his collegiate coaching career.
Baker is the proud father of Katie, a 2018 graduate of Florida State and a former student manager with the FSU softball team during the team’s run to the 2018 National Championship.
In 2001, Baker and former head coach Mike Martin were presented with the university’s prestigious Westcott Award for their bravery in saving the lives of players and staff during the Seminoles’ road trip to Stanford. Leaving the San Francisco airport, the two coaches gained control of the team’s charter bus after the driver suffered a fatal heart attack, safely guiding the bus to the side of a busy highway.
A voter for the National College Baseball Hall of Fame, Baker was recognized in 2006 by the American Baseball Coaches Association ‘For a Quarter Century of Leadership & Devotion to Baseball.’
In April 2014, Baker entered Florida State’s Circle of Gold, an honor acknowledging a worthy individual who, through their service and achievements, personify the university’s tradition of excellence. For years, Baker also served as a TV analyst for FSU home games on the ACC Network Extra.
