UPDATED: Wallace steps down at SMC

Tim Wallace has won 1,351 games in 33 seasons at SMC and is a member of the Wofford College
and NJCAA Baseball Coaches halls of fame. (Spartanburg Methodist photo)

Longtime Spartanburg Methodist coach Tim Wallace has stepped down as head coach because of health issues.

Wallace told me Wednesday morning that he began having mobility issues in September - first noticed while doing work on the field - that have impacted his ability to the job. He missed the Pioneers' four fall scrimmages.

"That's the first time in 34 years I haven't been in the third base coach's box," he said.

Wallace underwent several tests, had multiple hospital stays and has been getting treatment for his condition, but said he doesn't think he currently has the stamina to to coach a doubleheader. The Pioneers open their season with two nine-inning games on Friday in Cochran, Ga.

Wallace said assistant coach Riley Nelson has been named interim head coach. Wallace will become a special assistant to the school president involving the school's transition from junior college to four-year (NAIA) status and fundraising. Wallace said the option to return to coaching is open if his health allows.

Wallace is by far the longest tenured active college baseball coach in the state

A former star player at Wofford and player in the St. Louis Cardinals, organization, Wallace has a .727 winning percentage and was days away from opening SMC's first season as an NAIA school. He took seven teams to the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colo., and sent multiple players on to four-year programs and the professional ranks.