The Southern Ohio Copperheads say they’re excited to get back in front of fans

By: Joshua Hoerner
Posted on: Friday, June 6, 2025

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — During the winter, spring and fall months, Southern Ohio Copperheads Assistant Coach Ryan Grimm coaches’ various sports at Federal Hocking. But when the team begins its season Friday, he said it will feel like he’s in a whole new ballgame. 

He’s been in the sport of baseball for over 20 years and the experience of coaching the Copperheads is different from any other.   

“There were a couple games where I actually quit coaching first base and just took it all in,” Grimm said. “I looked around and it was amazing just how the atmosphere is different here.” 

On Wednesday, players, coaches and staff gathered at Bob Wren stadium for the team’s media day. Along with Grimm, infielder Billy Adams is set to spend a second consecutive summer playing for the Copperheads, which some in the organization refer to as “Double Cheads.” With his experience, Adams understands just how important fans are to the team. 

“The fans make the organization,” Adams said. “As much as they keep supporting, we can keep doing what we do and come out and play for them each year.” 

The Copperhead’s motto is “community owned, student operated.” With the exception of the owner and executive director, the team is run by college student interns from universities in the area. Nicholas Medvitz, a senior at Ohio University, is the team’s general manager and hopes to bring more than just baseball to the fans.   

“We’re just here as a community having fun,” he said. “So, we have games almost every half an hour.” 

Medvitz is referring to in-game promotions between innings, many involving children in the audience, including sack races, dance-offs and trivia contests. 

This year’s team has 23 players from outside the state of Ohio. One of those is pitcher Reon Iwase, who attends Oxnard College in California. One of his reasons for coming to Athens to play for the summer is the community.   

“We got offers for summer ball,” Iwase said.  “Here the view is nice, nice city and great community.” 

The team also gives back to the community, including clinics and sponsoring local youth baseball teams in the area.   

“Somewhere where you can provide for the community,” Medvitz said. “Averaging about 800 fans a night, making sure that we really have a good impact both on the field and off. Our community events really make it fun. We can give back a whole bunch to the community. “