Missing John very much but enjoying wonderful memories of our friendship ❤️
  Stan & Brenda

On this Anniversary of Coach John Baumgarten’s  passing ..Think back for all the great deeds he did for so many people for so many years!…And now next weekend @ Petco Park .. Courtesy of the San Diego Padres ..The CIF San Diego Section and Commissioner Joe Heinz and his staff…will host their Annual High School Baseball games from  various schools  throughout the Section  in now and forever “The John Baumgarten  Baseball Classic”…..


WHAT A GREAT HONOR …FOR A GREAT MAN.!

Thank you Coach Baumgarten!
Dennis Ackerman

Only an elite group of players can hold their heads high and remember their victories and accolades on the baseball diamond alongside their coach and hero, John Baumgarten.

His induction to the Coaching Hall of Fame is a culmination of a lifetime of service and tireless dedication to the craft. Champions recognize champions.

After decades spent making Hilltop baseball the best around, the school honored Coach Baum with his very own field of dreams! To all who visit this hallowed ground, learn the legends about the man who brought it all together for us to know and love.

Three legends of the game. Hilltop was lucky to have so much talent together for so many years. Many football coaches came and went, but this trio held it down with true consistency and winning ways, champions on every level.

Coach Baum always earned the respect of everyone he met and served as a critical member of the Metro Conference leadership board. For his years of dedication and service, coaches endeared him with the title of admiration, “Mr. Metro.”

What a gift that he was in our lives and that we were lucky enough to share those special memories during our short time together. Think of the thousands of lives he impacted and positive changes he made in us all. Stay blessed.

Anyone who hears the name “Baum” automatically thinks of an image like this. He loved teaching, but his heart and soul were on the baseball diamond. The world needs more great men like him. He will be forever missed.

On behalf of the humorous class of ‘89 (Rise and Shine!) I want to remember the true legend that was Coach Baumgarten. He always had the best reactions and never got too upset with our untimely pranks or unprovoked class-clowning. Those who were there to represent will never forget the time we snuck Coach Scott’s car on his classroom roof while he was coaching an away game. Baum turned the corner and laughed so hard that he almost busted a lung! No one ever questioned the usefulness of an industrial forklift after that creative episode. Those were the days. I have a shoutout for all the classics and old heads who made Lancer Life the best fun in the sun: Chapman, Tyler, Acerrio & Garcia (you know!), Albright, Mackey Mac, Gritts Jr. & Sr., Nurse Bernice, Holmes, and of course—Baum! Everyone helped to make my four years on the hill the best of my life. Until we meet again, with love to all.

Coach Baum personally welcomed me aboard when I landed at Hilltop High. He was already years deep into a legendary career and still had so much greatness left in the tank for Lancer Baseball. I knew about his wins and many championships even before I went into teaching. Anyone could instantly tell that he was a winner just by how he carried himself. 

Early on he treated me in the way of the father I never knew. Many of our lunches were more like mentor sessions where he tried to pass on to me his secrets of coaching and leadership. Despite his repeated best efforts, I never really learned or could apply those skills. Heck, I couldn't even copy his Baum Dogg (those were bomb dogs!) grilling techniques. He was so good as a leader because he always practiced what he preached. I just couldn't cut  the mustard.

People don't realize what a massive reputation Baum enjoyed and the difficulty other coaches had working in his shadow. This pressure even carried over to my home life because my wife couldn't handle my bad moods coming home on Friday nights after always losing. Following years of failed coaching experiences, consecutive abysmal seasons, homecoming defeats year after year, and being unable to live up to Baum's high expectations, my wife gave me an ultimatum to either stop coaching or get a divorce.

With no real choice, I finally got out of the game and changed schools in the district. Though my brother continued coaching, it just wasn't for me any longer. I know this sounds extreme, but it was the only way I knew to break free and get a fresh start and save my marriage. Baum was just that good. He could force lesser coaches into retirement after each season, even from his own school. 

We stayed in touch after his retirement, and I miss him in the years since his early passing. I wish his family peace and comfort in his absence. There's no doubt that Hilltop will never have another champion like Baum in any sport, and his legend will never die!

Coach Baum was a major contributor to athletics at Hilltop High. I never met him, but I have heard of his legacy and he will never be forgotten amongst the Lancer Proud. Godspeed, Coach Baum and I’ll see you on that beautiful shore.

In 1971, I was 16 years old .. I was one of 7 kids and we were in and out of parochial and public schools based on our families economics..
I ended up at Hilltop H.S. as a Junior .. My  sophomore Year was at Mission Bay H.S... Junior High School was 7th 8th and 9th grade at the time.. I attended Montgomery Jr. High  in 7th, Taft Jr. High in 8th and Pacific Beach Jr High in 9th Grade.. I Didn't have many community roots in Jr. High and High School as we were on the move.. When I arrived at Hilltop H.S. Coach B was the first Person I met who had quite the impact on me... He worked with me and said I had talent...I became the Quarterback of the Junior Varsity Football team looking forward to my senior year.. Coach B got wind of me having a crush on a Cheerleader and heard that I had asked her out.. I was coming out of the locker room after practice and Coach B stuck a long broomstick out of the coach's office window with a pair of gym shorts on the end of the stick and he was waiving them back and forth through the window saying   ( in a high girls voice) "I'll go on a date with you Pat I'll go on a date with you" ... Coach B had the kind of personality the students could relate to and was an influential mentor, coach, and a friend.. Needless to say the address of the vacant house that we were going to move into 
never happened and we had to forfeit all the football games that I played in ..It was a big disappointment when I got called into the principles office and had to leave the school... What was Coach B's response..? He put his arm around me and said "What a tough break, Robell we're going to miss you!" I held back the tears.. 
 I would have never made the connection 50 years later had I not crossed paths with his Brother Bob who sent my daughter the news paper article of Coach B's passing..  Thank you Coach, for so many lives that you touched...You will be missed!!

At the start of each day I saw  Baumgarten standing next to the stadium facing down to the Hilltop campus from my classroom. He always made me feel like he was what Hilltop High was all about.

I had the honor of planning his Retirement Party at Hilltop. I definitely was nervous about making it happen right. He was all smiles at this event with all his friends gathered around him.
John sent me a hand-written thank-you card with a baseball glove  picture on the front . I will always treasure this bit of John.
Indeed, he made this world a better place! 

'When we lose someone we love, we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.' --Author Unknown

To Marilou and the boys, my thoughts, prayers, and love are with you today.


I was so sorry to hear of the passing  of John.  My life was touched by him in many ways over the past 40+ years.... Whether it was as a basketball official/ assigner, baseball umpire, CIF Commisioner or Asst Commisioner... He was always so positive, willing to help, and dedicated to his school, his student/athletes and fellow coaches and staff... 
To him, making sure everything was planned right  for an event to occur before it started.. was of the upmost importance! So many great memories! The respect I had for him will always be cherished .. The relationship he had with his fellow coach and  school boy friend Dick Serrano is one that should be admired by all of us forever!

Thank You Coach, for all you did for High School Athletics in San Diego and Imperial Counties!  You truly were a LEGEND for all time! My  condolences to the family, Respectfully, Dennis Ackerman



I had the privilege of teaching with Baum at Hilltop for 9 years until he retired in ‘01. I had heard of his reputation in the district but had no idea what a fantastic person Baum was until I transferred there in ‘92. I will always appreciate how welcomed he made me feel and what a mentor he was for me being a new teacher/coach at Hilltop. If I had a question about athletics or anything I would just ask Baum and if he didn’t have the answer he would say “here call this number.” He always knew what to do. My memories are of coach get togethers at Love’s on E street after Friday night football games, Saturday school, The Hilltop golf tournament, End of the year barbecues at Baum’s house and countless lunches at Murrieta’s in Bonita and carne asada runs to Lolitas. You want to know who Baum was? He’s the guy who sends a Lolitas’s menu up to the office and buys and delivers lunch for every secretary in the main office on secretary’s day or the guy who spends all day cooking Baum dogs for all the maintenance workers in the district who drop by Hilltop. I didn’t know the district had that many maintenance trucks. Who does that? Baum  does that. Always thoughtful and always appreciative of other people. Hilltop, the Sweetwater School District and the entire Chula Vista community lost an icon when Baum passed. For me he was a great teacher, coach, mentor and a true friend that I will forever miss. Rest in Peace Baum. 
Chuck Vallero 1992-2011
Hilltop Teacher/Coach 

I had Baum for weightlifting class summer of 1974 before my sophomore year. After highschool I would run into him at Home Depot. He will be sorely missed. 

Mr.  Baumgartnen was my driver's Ed teacher and driving instructor during my 10th grade year at Castle Park High.  

I knew he was a Hilltop High teacher and coach.  But, he was such a great guy, that I took an advanced English class with Mrs. Baumgartnen based solely on her association with him. One of the best decisions I made in my high school years.  

Later in life, after being employed by the Sweetwater Union High School District,  I discovered how much of a positive influence he was for his students and the community.

My condolences to Mrs. Baumgarten and the family.

Tom Silva (class of 77, CPH)
Former Director of Plannimg, SUHSD

I appreciated everything coach Baumgarten stood for.  He and coach Gritts were great role models and made me a better coach when I had that opportunity.  Today, where every decision makes the nightly local news, I still remember his focus on students, baseball, and Hilltop.  It keeps me grounded, and I really am thankful to have had him mold who.I became.  My heart is with his family.  I will never forget how lucky we were to have Baum, Duke, Gritts, Acerio, McFadden, and Chapman.  Seriously what an an amazing group and tremendous mentors!

The news of Coach Baum’s passing was heartbreaking.  Coach Baum was a great coach and an even better man. I learned a lot about baseball from coach but I think I inadvertently learned more about coaching from him. I became a high school softball coach later in life and found myself saying and doing the same things as coach Baum. I used the famous coach Baum line “be a student of the game“ too many times to remember. I played for Coach Baum in 1979 in 1980. I had the privilege to be a part of the CIF championship team.

My sophomore year at Hilltop I played second base on the JV team. In my junior year going into the tryouts for varsity, coach Baum dropped a large green bag at my feet on day one. I asked coach what the bag was and he told me it was catchers gear. I told him I was a second baseman. He responded by saying “do you want to play varsity?“ To which of course I said yes. In a very matter of fact tone coach Baum told me “then you’re a catcher“. That was the end of that discussion. I really didn’t care for it at the time but later in life I loved it

We have all lost a big part of our life with coach’s passing. My heart and thoughts go out to the family. It was a privilege to have been part of his team. He made us all proud to be a Lancer.

RIP Coach.. you will be missed.

Dear Marilou and family,  I can’t find the words to describe how heartbroken I am at the loss of John.  The only upside is that he is no longer in that terrible  pain. My sincere condolences to all of you but I know your great memories will keep him forever in your heart. I know they will mine. He was one of my favorite parts of working at Hilltop. I left work every Tuesday and Friday for years to follow Baum and his boys. In 1985 it was extra special because my sion was playing for him and we won CIF. Sweet memories that will stay with me forever. Bless you all and may he now Rest In Peace. 


I remember working the baseball concession stand for him and grilling the Baum Dogs during weekend tournaments. He was always so fun to joke around with, called me Gonzo because my last name was Gonzales, and my favorite Baum quote, "Don't be a wart on a pickle!" Thank you for the fun memories, Coach Baum!

We just read Baum’s obituary and are reminiscing...
•Jan Chapman Sr., said, “I loved being a colleague of John’s at Hilltop!”
•Coach Bill Kinney said, “Baum was Always a Class Act!” 
•Since HS, some 34 years ago, I can’t walk past a hot dog with out thinking,  
“I want a Baum Dog!” 
Pretty smart get up, Coach!
Forever in our hearts!
 

Many thoughts go through my mind of life at Hilltop High School  in early 70's.  I was not able to have Mr. Baumgarten as an instructor.  I did learn alot being coached by him in Junior and  Varsity football.  Seeing him interact with other students around school showed me how respected and liked he was not only by students but by other administrators and staff. I wish I could have pursued playing baseball.  I'm sure now it is a moment that could have been cherished with Coach Baumgarten at the controls.
My condolences to the Baumgarten Family. John made an impact on this world and me.
Take Care.

Coach was a wonderful person. I'm blessed to have known him. Although I didn't play any sports in high school it was a pleasure just to have known him. My prayers to all his family.
RIP Coach.

I was truly heart broken to hear of Baum's passing.  Baum was a mentor who always supported me and pushed me to do my best.  I worked with the baseball team announcing games, keeping stats, and grilling Baum dogs at lunch and around town on weekends.  Baum trusted me to act professionally even when travelling to games with a bunch of baseball players.  It was this trust that ultimately led to Coach Gritts allowing me to work with the football team my senior year.  Even though Baum was a huggy guy, he offered me support during a difficult time in my life and for that I will always be grateful!  Heaven's Field of Dreams just got themselves one heck of a Coach!

Hilltop Class of '88

May John Rest In Peace and the memories always bring joy to your hearts!  Unfortunately, Doug and I will be out of town for his celebration of life, but please know his family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  He was a legend to so many! 

Doug and Barbara (Dole) Fuller

I adored Coach Baumgarten. I had him in 10th grade for World Civilization (or whatever it was called). He made learning fun. I looked forward to his class, I loved his playful nature, and I admired his ability to tailor his interactions with his students (he called me by a play on my last name: Skooby, for Skoog). He was well-liked by so many. And I wonder how many Baum dogs I ate during my high school career?? My deepest condolences to his family and all who will mourn his passing. 

I would just like to reiterate what Baum was to all of us players from  1973, have spoken to every guy I could get ahold of and to a man we  wish we could have gotten that title that year, for him and us, what a  great guy who changed a lot of peoples lives, no one I respected more besides my own father. The Baumgarten  family  should be extremely proud of him , as I know they are. I sure loved the Baum dogs at the golf tournament and now I  know where he got them, probably better because he was serving them . What a great guy!

So very sad to hear about Coach Baum’s passing. He was truly a great person, coach and teacher.  I always enjoyed seeing him at various events, at church and at Murrietas in Bonita.  He always was so kind had a great smile and always asked about my mom, who just recently passed away.  My thoughts and prayers to the family. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️❤️

So many wonderful memories of sharing our wedding anniversaries with you and Marilou:  posh restaurants, cozy inns,  sometimes a casual dive, in San Diego, La Jolla, Julian, or Durango; TGIF in Old Town with the Sachersons & Campbells; New Year’s Eve 2000 “There was a run on potatoes”;  barbecuing a steak dinner on the beach at sunset; “It’s no big deal!” ; sharing a Fireball with a carrier on top!!  We’ll forever cherish those special times  together and all the simple, ordinary days in between too.   
   Deeply grateful for your friendship ~ May your memory be eternal,
   Stan and Brenda

I first met Baum in 1968 as my JV Baseball Coach and Varsity football coach. He rode me hard but I wouldn't have traded it for the world.  Everyday was a teaching moment. I remember John had lost his first wife and had 2 little boys. He knew our family had a construction company that rented water trucks and told my father that during the summer he only had summer school to teach and needed additional income.  He said he would do anything.  My Dad told Baum all he had was a night shift job greasing trucks-Baum said he'd take it.  I will never forget this dedicated Dad showing up to work 4pm to midnight with a volvo station wagon, mattress in the back and sleeping bags with two very small boys.  That dedication right then, changed me forever.  From then on all I wanted to do was be as good as Baum.  I don't think I realized at the time there was only one Baum, his shoes aren't fillable and his life lessons he taught are like the grains of sand on the beach.  Baum's heart was a gift from God.  The people he touched, helped and made better is just unbelievable.  I can't wait to see him again, telling me Erreca  show me what you got.


Baum and me had a different relationship than other students. I didn't play baseball and was an average football player. He used to tell me he respected my work ethic and loved giving me a hard time.  He always had a smile for me at church and I even met his brother at Saints as a teacher and priest. We often ran into each other after my time at Hilltop and was eager to chat and find out what I was up to. One of my fondest memories was when he and Ted Testa went into Mulvaney's, sat at my bar and I served them dinner and drinks. What a pair to draw to! I know he lived his life in service to others; a well respected life indeed.  "There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends". God Bless Baum, family and loved ones. Prayers and God speed that we will all meet up again soon.

Coach Baum, what a great man.  Hard to hear that he is gone. He sure helped a lot of people in his life time and definitely pushed them to be their best, including myself. I met Baum one afternoon in 6th grade when I decided to make a sweet bicycle jump out of a beautiful pile of dirt up behind the football bleachers. After a few jumps I was run off by a grumpy ol gardener yelling at me “get off off my dirt you little punk!” I pedaled away as fast as I could and didn’t  look back! This guy was huge and very upset so I didn’t stick around. Fast forward 3 years and I’m trying out for the baseball team at Hilltop and who do I see? the same grumpy ol Gardner that ran me off years ago for riding my bike on his pile of dirt. But I then realize he’s not a Gardner he’s the head baseball coach! Oooohhh boy, I think to myself, please don’t let this guy recognize me.  I’ll never make the team if he finds out who I am! I go up to the plate and take a few swings off another kid but then Baum relieves the pitcher and says “I got it from here.” Gulp!!! As Baum is pitching to me he keeps staring at me and  saying I look really familiar. I lie and tell him no I’m new around here. He then starts beaning me with pitches explaining how he knew exactly who I was, I was the kid that made a jump out of his infield dirt years ago! Then he said you better not step out of that box! I stood in the box and took the lumps I had deserved for messing with his dirt. A few days later he handed me my jersey and from then on he rode me everyday we practiced to be a better player and also a better person. I loved every minute I got to spend with him, except for maybe those first few minutes. Lol His passion for baseball and to help people any way he could was unmeasurable. Thank you Baum for all you did for all of us. May Gods bless you and peace be with you and your family. 

It was a sad Sunday upon hearing of the passing of coach. I had the pleasure of his coaching starting midway through the 1978 baseball season and culminating with a stunning 17 inning victory over Vista in the CIF Championship game played at USD. Baum trusted me throughout 1979 and I am blessed to have had him as my coach. Myself and my family extend our deepest sympathies to Baum’s family wife, and children. 1979 was a special year, A first men’s championship in CIF for Hilltop and a first for Baum. RIP Coach. Can’t wait till I’m on the mound again for you. Oh and Bull your neck! 

Coach Baum was the Bomb!! Nobody will ever fill his cleats or grilling skills!!  It fills my heart to see that he was so loved, if we all could have half, we would have done well in life.  RIL Coach!! 💚🤍🖤

Coach Baum was a great teacher, coach and friend.  I was his attendance taker in  our Psychology class and his Women's Varsity Softball team manager in 1979-1980.  
There were many cool memories that I will cherish .
Most of all, I am blessed have known Coach Baum. 
He was the best!!! 
RIP  Coach!! 
🥎🥎🥎
💚🖤 HHS LANCER PRIDE 💚🖤

Thoughts and prayers for John and family. He was a great leader, friend and mentor that counseled  me to follow in his footsteps in our baseball conference. Will be missed 

I just remember the great rye smile he would give me as Chip Holmes would send me to get shells for the starter gun from him in track... working with him he would always make me laugh...great sense of humor. Even to me a lame track coach...he will be missed. 

I was saddened to learn of his passing.  He was a great teacher and made the class special.  He had a knack for making you strive and want to further your learning without being right on top of you to do so.  

To Baumgarten Family,

May God be with you through is tough time. I am honored to have met and got to know Coach Baumgarten. Even though I only played and coached against him, it still felt great to a part of his life. He was very caring person and always was out to help, in way he could. Thank you again for all that you did coach! May you Rest In Peace. 
Lots of Love and Respect,
Joaquin “Jackie” Sosa

I had John Baumgarten as my 10th grade history teacher he was a demanding but fair teacher.  He always made learning fun and interesting. Our class room was one of  the bungelow buildings out on the atheletic fields but boy was it hot.  on hot days he would let us knockoff a little early to kind of reward us for being attentive in his class.  I went to a funeral service for a friend a while back and I heard a voice among the crowd  and I said to myself that's John Baum's voice.  I went over to talk to him and told him my name and he said you were in my 10th grade history class. I couldn'  hardly believe he remembered me after all those years. He was a great guy!

So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was part of a remarkable family that my family (the Olson family in Mission Hills) was blessed to call friends and to have in our lives. 

OBITUARY

John "Baum" Philip Baumgarten

April 20, 1940 – April 11, 2021

Glen Abbey Memorial Park & Mortuary

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Evening Visitation with Rosary at 7:00 pm

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