Baseball Profiles: Daven Bond saw 7 pro seasons, then turned softball coach

Monday, February 8, 2021

Daven Bond saw 7 pro seasons, then turned softball coach

Colorado Christian University got itself a new softball coach in Daven Bond. They actually got their first-ever softball coach in Bond.

University athletic director Darren Richie told the school's site his pleasure in getting a coach like bond to start the school's softball program.

"He brings a vast knowledge of the game and is a perfect fit for CCU," Richie told CCUCougars.com that February. "His playing experience at the highest levels combined with a proven successful coaching career show that he is the coach we need to build a competitive softball program that will immediately experience success in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference."

Bond's playing experience consisted of seven seasons as a pro. He never made the majors, but he did make AAA with the Yankees in 1991. He then went on to a coaching career that led him to CCU in 2011, a head coaching job he continued to hold in 2016.

Bond's playing career began in 1986, taken by the Astros in the 14th round of the draft out of Colorado Mesa University.

Bond started with the Astros at short-season Auburn. He went 3-3, with a 3.64 ERA. He moved to single-A Asheville for 1987, picking up six saves. His sixth save on the year came in July on two scoreless innings of work.

Bond played at single-A Osceola for 1988 and 1989. He turned in a 3.62 ERA in 1989 mostly as a starter. He started 1990 at AA Columbus with the Astros, then moved to the Yankees and AA Albany mid-season in a trade.

At Albany, Bond went five innings in a late-July contest, giving up two earned for the win. He gave up another two earned, but in two innings of relief in August, taking the loss.

Bond moved to AAA Columbus in 1991, getting 32 outings, nine starts. He ended with a 5.70 ERA. He played his final pro season the next year with the Mariners at AA Jacksonville.

Bond soon got into coaching, including coaching softball. He started with the Colorado Stampede 18 Gold softball team in 1994 and long served as its coach.

At CCU, Bond took his first team to a 34-29 record and the Division II National Tournament. He also won co-conference coach of the year honors.

"The most surprising thing is how well we have done and the things that we have been able to accomplish on the field," Bond told the school's site after that season. "The girls have certainly exceeded any expectations that I had for our first year. I am so proud of them and how God is working in their lives. It has been an amazing year."

Originally published July 4, 2016