Name: Spencer Gunnell.

Family status: Two children: Corinna (9) and Daulton (7).

Educational background: Graduate of Fairfield High (1991). Attended Wright State University, majoring in sociology.

Job title: Sales rep for Interstate Brands Corp.

Sports job title: Assistant coach, FYBA Pepsi coach pitch team. Also assisted this year with Big Red coach pitch all-star team.

Best thing about coaching: "Teaching the kids - kind of passing on the knowledge I learned over the years from coaches like Kenny Bates.

Most challenging thing about coaching: "It is a young age. Dealing with the kids' attention span. I used to coach a 17- to 18-year-old all star team. With them, I could just show them what to do and tell them to do it. With these (younger kids) it is different. Sometimes I get down on one knee and look them in the eyes trying to make sure I have their attention so they can understand what I am trying to tell them."

Sports connection: "I grew up playing baseball at Waterworks Park. I played from instructional league right up through Babe Ruth. I (also) played in high school. I was on the Fairfield (High) state and national championship team in 1991. I went to Wright State (University) and I pitched there."

Gunnell was a pitcher throughout his playing career. He had a 9-2 record and also batted .465 during his senior year in high school. He was named Greater Cincinnati Area Player of the Year and was also among the six finalists for the Buddy LaRosa Athlete of the Year honor.

Gunnell was 8-3 during his final year as a pitcher for the Wright State Raiders.

Favorite team (s): "I've watched the Reds every since I was little. I also listened to Joe and Marty on the radio. I know they haven't won a lot in recent years, but I can't help (following) them. I follow all the Cincinnati teams, like the Bengals. In college basketball, I'm a Bearcat fan."

A personal memorable moment: "Definitely winning the state championship. We started the season No. 1 in the state and ended it No. 1 in the state. We went 32-3. We had nine seniors on the team, and I had played with these guys ever since Waterworks."

A sports historical moment to remember: "Pete Rose's 4,192. To watch (Ty Cobb's hit record) being broken by a hometown player was really exciting. I was there."

A person I would consider to be a good sports role model: "Nolan Ryan. He is probably my all-time favorite player and for what he does for his community. He's pitched in four decades. To do that, you really have to keep yourself in good physical and mental condition."

A person from the past I would like to meet: "Babe Ruth or Ty Cobb - just to see how baseball really was back then."

A person from the present I would like to meet: "George Steinbrenner. I'd like to see what goes through his head."

A car from my past: "An '81 Dodge Charger hatchback. My parents bought it for me. It got me around."

A dream car: "A late '60s Shelby Mustang - just old American muscle."

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