Wade Maisto steps down for second time as Burlington Central coach

Burlington Central softball coach Wade Maisto announced his second retirement from coaching the team following Tuesday’s 8-7 loss to Sterling in the Class 3A Marengo Sectional.

“I think it’s a good time for a change,” Maisto said. “I told them when I came back it wasn’t going to be for one year, but it wasn’t going to be indefinite.”

Central went 23-10 this year after a 26-4 record last year.

“We beat some really good teams,” he said. “We lost to two really good programs, Marengo last year in regional and this year to Sterling in sectional.

“I felt like we put a team out there any day that could beat any team in the state.”

Maisto coached Central’s softball team the first time from 1984-1998, then was an assistant from 2005-2009. His daughter, Erica is an assistant for Central, but Maisto said she will not be taking over as head coach.

“I could see myself coming back as an assistant some day because all I have to do is coach,” said Maisto, who is retired from teaching. “I don’t have to worry about all the other stuff like organizing and fundraising and managing and getting there an hour early and leaving late.”