Ciruti inducted into GHBCA Hall of Honor
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Hall of Honor inductee Former Wharton High School baseball coach Floyd Ciruti holds up the plaque he received at Tuesday's Greater Houston Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Honor Induction ceremony Tuesday at Reckling Park.

HOUSTON - Former Wharton baseball coach Floyd Ciruti felt humbled after his induction into the Greater Houston Area Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Honor during a ceremony held Tuesday night at Reckling Park.

"Its a tremendous honor," said Ciruti, who announced his retirement at the end of this season after 33 years coaching the Tigers.

"It's pretty satisfying that your peers think that much of you," said Ciruti.

The coach agreed it's something he'll always remember.

"It's a tremendous highlight in my career," said Ciruti. "A whole bunch of people were involved in making this happen.

Ciruti learned in May he would be inducted into the Hall.

"I was totally surprised by this," said Ciruti. "They have some pretty heavy weight coaches that are in there."

The home plate ceremony came after Tiger graduate J.D. Rivera played in the all-star baseball game.

The Wharton center fielder was one for one, stole two bases and scored two runs.

The North won the rain-shortened game 8-4.

Ciruti compiled a 547-310 record for a .637 winning percentage. He collected is 500th win in 2006.

This season was Wharton's eighth straight season to make the playoffs. It was the longest such streak of Ciruti's career.

His teams totaled 26 playoffs appearances and the 1980 team made it to the state tournament in Austin.

Ciruti graduated from Sterling High in Baytown. He played baseball and earned his degree at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

He learned about the Wharton job from Helen Matula, who's son Rick played for the Bearcats. He was looking for a place he could stay.

Ciruti repeated as this year's the All-Wharton County Baseball Team Coach-of-the-Year, garnering the award several previous times.

Besides taking care of his parents, he planning to start a fishing guide service.