Thursday, October 26. It was the day that Fort Lauderdale High’s Head Baseball Coach Terry Portice was inducted into the High School Baseball Network (HSBN) South Florida Baseball Hall of Fame. 

Spending a long 27 years as Flying L’s head coach after being promoted in 1997 and 49 years total coaching, Portice has racked up quite the résumé. He started as an assistant coach to Mike McMillan in the Spring of 89’, becoming head coach of the JV squad, then was recommended for the head coaching role by his former colleague after his [McMillan’s] departure to Coconut Creek High School. He has won three Broward County District titles in his tenure, back-to-back in 2003 and 2004, and one in 2014. Now, he has an HSBN Hall-of-Fame ring to go with his trophies—a well-deserved honor for a veteran of the game. 

Portice has had many decorated moments in coaching, but there is one that stands out the most. 2003’s District Championship game against a then-undefeated Saint Thomas Aquinas squad. Fort Lauderdale won in a thriller fashion, 8-7.

“Saint Thomas ended up going on to win the states that year. We gave them their last loss that season,” he said. “The ballpark was packed, there were a ton of people there; it’s what high school baseball should be. People were watching from the top of the football stadium looking down on the game; it was jammed. Great game to coach, participate in, and of course, a great result!”

With 49 years under his belt, coaching is meaningful to Portice. His passion for the game goes beyond the diamond, as his off-the-field coaching means just as much to him.

“I have a quote I like to refer to, ‘Preparing young men for success in life and sport,’” he said. “I follow that mantra because very few people make a living playing baseball. So, they’re going to have to be successful people whether they’re working for someone or they start their own business. I try to set them up for those opportunities.”

When Coach Portice broke the 300-win barrier, it was a pivotal moment in his career. Seasons worth of hard work and dedication to the program paid off with this accomplishment.

“I was fortunate to be in one place at one time, it meant I was blessed to have players that bought into the program and to have an excellent support staff. The things you work for come to fruition,” he said. “I’ve had opportunities to coach elsewhere, and have chosen to stay here because of the blue-collar mentality. It was an exciting and humbling achievement, and wasn’t done by myself.”

Portice also shared what the game of baseball meant to him, and why he started coaching. It all started in McGregor, Michigan after an unfortunate coaching vacancy in the town’s 12U All-Star baseball team.

“I’ve always had a passion for the game. I come from a very rural community, and each town has its own all-star team. Everybody knew everybody so I knew all the kids on my team, it was a seamless transition. We ended up winning the county and my passion for it grew quite a bit and I thought ‘I could be successful at this,’” he said. “Baseball has always been a second home for me. I think it helps keep me young, staying with it and being involved with the kids. I’ve coached at every level, from T-ball through the big league programs in Wilton Manors. It’s a home that I feel comfortable in, that I can use some expertise, knowledge, and passion to pass it on down to the next generation.”

For anyone in any industry, the Hall-of-Fame for their respected profession is a big deal. When inducted by his peers, Portice felt as if it was the “Cherry on top” of his career.

“It’s nice to be recognized for that, but I believe my career was already solidified beforehand. When I go and see people I’ve coached before, their parents and stuff, they’re always very respectful and thank me for what I did; but the Hall of Fame is the candle on the cake for what I’ve done.”

With the next season ahead, Portice had this to say about what lies ahead, and his expectations, despite the criticism he might face.

“A lot of people like to say it’s bullcrap,” he replied jokingly, “But I always head into each season with the expectation of winning the District. The second goal I have is to stay undefeated at home, you want to protect your territory when people come into it and try to take it over. Success would be to have a healthy season where the kids play in every game, and represent this school and the community with pride and character.”

The Flying L Baseball team takes the field again in February. Make sure to show support at all of our home games upon the schedule’s release! 

Don’t know where to buy tickets? Look no further! Follow this link to be redirected straight to Fort Lauderdale High’s GoFan page: http://bit.ly/flhstickets