Every Side of the Diamond
Two-time national champion as a player. National champion as a coach. A baseball life shaped by three generations — with firsthand experience as a player, coach, and umpire.
A fitting finish: Drake homered in the first game of his final season — and again in the final at-bat of his playing career.
Long before Drake Wingard stepped into the dugout as head coach, he learned the game as a player. A versatile utility player, he excelled in the middle infield, on the mound, and behind the plate — positions that demand different skills and a deep understanding of how a play unfolds.
Those years on the field laid the foundation for what came next. As a coach and umpire, Drake sees the game from new angles. Each role carries different responsibilities; together, they have shaped his approach to baseball.
Today, Drake serves as Head Coach of Heritage Christian Angels Baseball, continuing a family coaching tradition while building his own record of accomplishment.
From the field to the dugout to the umpire’s position, Drake brings firsthand experience to every side of the diamond.
A true utility player, Drake contributed wherever the team needed him, especially in the middle infield, as a pitcher, and as a catcher. He won NACA national championships as a player in 2016 and 2019. His final season opened with a home run and ended the same way: a home run in the last at-bat of his playing career.
As Head Coach of Heritage Christian Angels Baseball, Drake now takes on the responsibility of teaching the game, guiding players, and continuing the program's championship heritage. He added a 2025 national title as a coach.
Officiating adds a third perspective — one centered on the rules, judgment, consistency, and composure. His time playing and coaching informs the way he understands the action around him.
From the field as a player to the dugout as a coach, Drake has experienced championship baseball from both sides of the lineup card.
Drake's first NACA national championship as a Heritage Christian Angels player.
A second NACA national championship as a player — a milestone shared with family and teammates.
As a coach, Drake helped lead the Heritage Christian Angels to the 2025 NACA national championship, adding another chapter to his family’s baseball history.
The Wingard baseball story didn't begin with Drake. His grandfather coached his father, Clay Wingard. Coach Clay, in turn, became Drake's first coach — passing on far more than the mechanics of the game.
What began as a father teaching his son became a tradition carried across three generations. Today, Drake carries that connection forward through his own coaching and commitment to the sport.
The story remains deeply personal, but its impact reaches beyond one family — to the players Drake now teaches and the program he helps lead.
Playing teaches you what a moment feels like. Coaching teaches you to prepare for it. Umpiring teaches you to make the call.
Drake’s experience officiating baseball and softball adds another dimension to his understanding of the game. An official must be attentive, knowledgeable, decisive, and fair — no matter which dugout is cheering.
His time as a player and coach gives him a valuable perspective on the people and decisions involved in every game.
Contact Information
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