Lake Central baseball coach Todd Iwema's resignation was approved by the school board as the coach cited the need for more time to spend as a "parent, father and husband."

"It's just things in general," said Iwema, whose daughter was born during the 2008 baseball sectionals. "It's not just an in-season sport. No sport is an in-season sport anymore. It's just about the time commitment with a new child and two head coaches in the family."

Iwema's wife, Leslie, is the Indians' girls basketball coach.

In Iwema's 11 seasons on the Lake Central diamond, the Indians won six sectional championships -- including the last three -- and three regional championships. Last season, Lake Central was 27-3, losing to Crown Point in the regional final.

Prior to taking over at Lake Central, Iwema was the head coach for four seasons at Griffith.

"I looked at the situation and it has been challenging the last couple of years," Iwema said, "and I decided it was the right time to spend more time and a parent, father and husband."

The Indians lost assistant varsity coach Jeff Sherman to the softball team over the summer and junior varsity coach Joe Stanisz took over as the assistant, leaving the baseball team in search of a new head coach and JV coach.

Lake Central athletic director Mark Peterson did not return calls by The Times on Wednesday night.

PREP BASEBALL

Todd Iwema

Coached 11 seasons at Lake Central.

In his tenure, the Indians won six sectionals and three regionals.

Lake Central finished the 2009 season 27-3.