Baseball:

By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor

When this reporter got the call last week from Chris Vogt that he was stepping down at Ayala, I have to admit that it made me sad.

Of the 25-plus SGV area baseball programs that 210 Prep Sports covers, there are very few coaches who took more time out of their night to make sure I got accurate stats, complimentary quotes about his players and photos from games in which the Bulldogs came out victorious.

But it wasn’t just in good times.

Unlike many (in all sports), Chris Vogt didn’t go radio silent when Ayala lost a game or were mired in a losing streak.

He was always willing to pick up a phone or text back when I needed clarification about the stats on game changer or to answer any inquiry I had.

When Ayala lost baseball games, Vogt didn’t cast blame on his players or the umpires.

Instead, he was willing to give an opponent their due credit.

After 11 highly successful years at AHS, Chris Vogt stepped down this week, which included his roles as the Bulldogs’ baseball coach, an AP U.S. History teacher and the co-Avid coordinator.

He went 194-106-1 overall, 92-59 in league, & 14-8 in the postseason.

And before any tabloid-like rumors start about Vogt being fired or leaving for nefarious reasons, Chris made this decision based on what was best for his family.

Vogt won’t be coaching, but he accepted a teaching job at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton.

SHHS is close to the family home that he shares with his wife, Emily, and young son, and the job included a far higher salary and full benefits.

Ayala athletic director Warren Reed praised his friend, colleague and baseball coach since 2012, saying, Vogt had his priorities in order and a passion for his student-athletes on and off the field.

In fact, if any of his players were struggling with their grades or fell behind, Vogt made sure they ate lunch in his class and worked on their homework.

On the field, his success speaks for itself.

In the last four years alone, Ayala won 76 games, which is most amongst any 210 Prep Sports baseball program.

After the quotable section below, you can see how Ayala compared with the rest of this site’s other baseball programs.

His high-water mark was 2021.

Ayala went 26-4 overall and claimed the Palomares League championship, thanks to a 14-1 run.

The Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 for most of the 2021 season in the CIF-SS Division 1 poll, and they made appearances in the CIF-SS D-1 semifinal round, and AHS played for the CIF State Division 1 Southern California Regional championship.

Just like all coaches, especially those with a lot of success, Vogt isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and that included some parents, players and opposing coaches.

But if you followed his career and calculated the number of athletes he sent on to play college ball, and knew the passion he had for making sure they excelled in the classroom, you can’t help but say, “well done, Chris.”

Chris Vogt won’t even turn 40 for a couple of years, so there is more than enough time to help his wife raise their son, Jameson, and someday get back into coaching.

And the next Ayala skipper will inherit a program that is ready to challenge for a Palomares League championship, with the return of Vinny Hudson, Ethan Nunez and Marcus Galvan at the plate, and the arms of Bryan Yang, Daniel Camou, Cadin Gates and Jeremy Byers.

Lastly, we asked Vogt to comment on his time and departure from AHS.

Said Chris Vogt: “The past 11 years as head baseball coach at Ayala have been some of the most fun and rewarding years of my life. I am appreciative of Principal Yarboi and Mr. Reed for their unwavering support and encouragement along the way. Thank you to my coaches that have put in long hours for little pay, all because they wanted to see the kids get better. Finally, thank you to all the student-athletes I had the privilege to coach. Each one of you impacted me as a person and made me a better coach and person along the way. It was difficult to walk away from this outstanding school and the great group of families we have, but it is time for me to be Coach Dad. This program is set up for long-term success and I will follow its future successes closely. Thank you for allowing me to lead this program.”

Quotable:

Ayala athletic director, Warren Reed: “To say we are sorry to see Coach Vogt go would be an understatement. He has brought our baseball program to a level where we have competed with some of the best baseball programs in the Southern Section. He has done this over the past 11 years as our head coach and the growth over that time was very methodical on his part. Coach Vogt led our team in 2021 to the CIF State Regional Finals and a CIF Semifinal Division 1 appearance. What set him apart was his professionalism in his approach to leading the program. He worked hard to develop our players on and off the field. Many of his student-athletes over the years had to eat lunch in his classroom and work on their class work if they fell behind in a class. Coach Vogt held his players to a high standard that would be best for them and he would not waiver on this core principle.

He will also be missed as an AP US History teacher and co-Avid coordinator. He has worked the clock at most of our lower-level football games and the field gate at our varsity games for many years. Chris has given Ayala, CVUSD, and more importantly our students/students-athletes everything he has. For this, we are so grateful for him and wish him nothing but success in his new teaching position. The search for our next head baseball coach has started today with in-district applicants only per our union contract. Personally, I will miss Coach Vogt stopping by the athletic office on his way out to practice or a game. During these conversations, we would talk about the baseball program, his players, or a current event in the sports world but most importantly we would talk about his favorite subject his son. He is a dedicated father, and husband and I will truly miss our conversations.”

Former Ayala two-sport star, Jacob Badawi: “He is one of the best practice coaches I’ve ever had, as a college player his practice definitely prepared the entire team for the next level. The game is fun and business when it needs to be.”

Ayala senior, Ty Borgogno: “Coach Vogt is the type of guy that you either love or dislike, and I love the guy. We won a ton of games together, but more importantly built a bond as well. One memory I’ll never forget was tossing him the game ball after we won his first league title. He’s been nothing but awesome to me and my family. He ran a great program and it’s been a pleasure playing for him. Wish you all the best, Coach!”

Ayala junior, Ethan Nunez: “In the three years spent with Coach Vogt, I learned to better myself on and off the field. Coach Vogt taught me to see the best version of myself in baseball. Thanks, Coach!”

Ayala sophomore, Vinny Hudson: “Even though Coach Vogt was my coach for two years, I learned a lot from him and gained more knowledge of the game of baseball. I could have not asked for a better freshman and sophomore year of high school. Thank you, Coach Vogt.”

Ayala freshman, Daniel Camou: “Thank you, Coach Vogt, for all the opportunities that you continuously gave me. You have helped me a ton on the field and in the classroom. I wish you the best at Sunny Hills and wanted to thank you for all did for the Ayala baseball program.”

210 Prep Sports Baseball Programs, 2019-2022:
Ayala (76-21-1)
Arcadia (72-16)
San Dimas (69-18)
Maranatha (67-24)
Bonita (65-23)
South Hills (64-26)
Monrovia (60-21-2)
Damien (59-35)
Northview (57-30)
Rancho Cucamonga (57-47-2)
Flintridge Prep (56-22-1)
Glendora (54-42)
Charter Oak (53-36)
Etiwanda (52-36)
La Canada (50-29-1)
La Salle (50-36)
Los Osos (49-38)
Chino Hills (49-40-3)
Claremont (45-55)
Upland (42-48)
Rio Hondo Prep (39-32)
Covina (39-32)
Pasadena (33-49-1)
Alta Loma (31-43)
Muir (30-39-1)
St. Francis (30-66)
West Covina (29-54-1)

Chris Vogt’s Win-Loss Record at Ayala:
2022: 16-11-1 (overall), 11-4 (Palomares League), 0-1 (playoffs)
2021: 26-4, 14-1, 5-2
2020: 9-0, 1-0 (Pandemic-shortened season)
2019: 25-6, 12-3, 4-1
2018: 19-12, 9-6, 2-1
2017: 22-11, 9-6, 2-1
2016: 19-13, 9-6, 0-1
2015: 16-12, 9-6, 0-0
2014: 16-13, 8-7, 1-1
2013: 16-11, 6-9, 0-0
2012: 11-13, 4-11, 0-0

Total: 194-106-1 overall, 92-59 in league, & 14-8 in the postseason

League Finish:
2022: second place
2021: league champs
2020: Pandemic-shortened season
2019: second
2018: second
2017: third
2016: third
2015: fourth
2014: third
2013: fifth
2012: sixth