Introductions: Meet Coach Cody Price

Meet Coach Cody Price

Bruin Baseball Coach Enjoyed a Strong Season

by Mike Wilt

Always do your best, and always do it right. Two simple rules for baseball and for life.

“Stick to those and you’re bound to have success,” said Cody Price, head baseball coach for Bartlesville High School. He knows of what he speaks.

Born in Ada, Price played basketball and baseball while attending Marlow High School. After graduating in 2004, he attended Mid-America Christian University (OKC) on a baseball scholarship. The 6’1” right-hander earned All-America honors as a freshman pitcher. Unfortunately, he later suffered a cartilage tear in his shoulder. He was forced to sit out the next season with a medical red shirt, but he returned to pitch his final two seasons. In 2009, Price graduated in with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. In September of that year, he married Blanchard native Courtney Sorrels, who was a two-time All-American basketball player for MACU. Today, the Prices are proud parents of two daughters and one son: Kennedy (age 10), Kylie (age 6), and Carter (age 3).

In July of 2019, Price was hired as the Bruins baseball coach after enjoying success elsewhere. He started as a lay coach for Westmoore High School and later spent eight years at Mustang High School. The Broncos captured the 6A state title in 2017.

Price’s parents, grandparents, and cousins all live in Nowata, so the idea of coming to Bartlesville was instantly attractive.

“We love it here,” he said. “I think very highly of our schools. We have great leaders who truly care about the kids, the employees, and the community. We have really enjoyed our time here.”

But Price’s first season wasn’t all that enjoyable.

“We played about two weeks and then COVID hit.”

However, the Bruins were able to play a full season this year. The team finished 24-14 after losing to a very tough Tulsa Union team in the 6A regional final.

“We had a good team, but we fell just short of accomplishing our goal of winning a regional title.”

Setting clearly defined goals is an integral part of Price’s approach.

“My job is to get the players to work hard at something and to pay attention to details. I want each of them to be the best player and the best person they can be.”

He is quick to credit his wife for allowing him to be the best coach he can be.

“Even though our season isn’t until spring, we begin prepping when school starts. And once baseball season hits, my wife is essentially a single mom. She is a real trooper. I couldn’t do this without her support.”

Price also tipped his hat to his assistant coaches and his players.

“I am blessed to have a great staff as well as some very fine young men. They do such a good job of including my children and making them feel welcome. My kids are my players’ biggest fans.”

Having graduated a large senior class this past year, the 202122 Bruins will be a young bunch.

“That’s not necessarily a bad thing. We’ll have time to build them up. Plus, we adapt to what we have rather than stay locked in to one way of playing.”

Price also has confidence in his players.

“I have all the faith they are going to work hard because I am going to work hard.”

In other words, Price is doing his best and is doing it right.