Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- kleighto@princeton.edu
Assistant Coach Kevin Leighton is entering his fourth season on the Princeton staff. Leighton brings to Princeton a passion for player development, a keen eye for recruiting talent and an efficiency to the administration. Leighton’s primary on-field responsibility has been working with the infielders, base running and assisting with hitting. Off the field Leighton assists with recruiting, baseball technology and camp administration.
Leighton works diligently to improve the Princeton defense. During each of Leighton’s seasons at Princeton, the Tigers fielding percentage increased from the prior year. The Tigers placed 2nd in fielding percentage in the Ivy League in 2006, 2007 & 2008, with the 2008 team setting the 3rd best team fielding percentage in Princeton baseball history. The middle infield has excelled during Leighton’s tenure. The 2006 team led the Ivy League in double plays turned and the 2006, 2007 & 2008 teams have been ranked in the top 10 in Princeton history for total double plays turned in a season.
Prior to joining the Tigers, Leighton spent the 2005 season on the staff at West Virginia. There, Leighton was responsible from developing the catching staff and manning the first base coaching box on game days. Off the field, Leighton led the effort to raise funds for field maintenance and improvements through the use of a marathon game.
Leighton had an immediate impact with the catching staff at WVU. The catchers made improvements in the 2005 season in all statistical categories. The Mountaineers had less stolen base attempts against, more runners caught stealing, a higher-caught stealing percentage and fewer passed balls and wild pitches. These improvements at the catching position helped WVU lead the Big East in fielding percentage.
Leighton began his collegiate playing career as a catcher in the Atlantic 10 playing for Saint Joseph’s University. From there he transferred to Saint Louis University in Conference USA for his final three seasons. At SLU, Leighton played catcher, first base and designated hitter. He was a two-year varsity starter for the Billikens.
Leighton received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from St. Louis in 1998. He is currently attending graduate school at Rider University and studying for an MBA.
Leighton and his wife Adrienne reside in Ringoes, NJ with their sons Charlie (2) and Cal (1).
