Chaparral High School opened its doors to students in August of 1972 and played its first varsity baseball schedule the following year in Spring 1974. In that year, the school's independent status did not allow the team to compete for a regional title or qualify for post-season state tournament play; however the team finished with an 11-9 overall record. And ever since that initial opening day, Chaparral Firebird Baseball has been a viable and competitive program in the state of Arizona. In just the second year of program existence (1975), the Firebirds won their first Regional Championship and advanced on to the AIA High School State Tournament where they were eventually eliminated by the #1 ranked team (Alhambra High School) in the tournament semi-finals.

At the root of the program's success is legendary Coach Jerry Dawson, who took the helm in 1974 and occupied that position every spring for 37 years before retiring after the 2010 season. His emphasis on fundamentals and discipline - both on and off the field - led to his selection as "Coach of the Year" nine times and national "Coach of the Year" three times. Under Dawson's tutelage the team enjoyed tremendous success, qualifying for post-season play in 33 of the 34 years it has been eligible.

The program has captured 24 Regional Championships, finished in the "final four" 18 times, ended as runner-up on four occasions, and claimed nine State Championship titles. In recent years, the Firebirds achieved an impressive stretch of 17 consecutive regional championships dating back to 1993.

Taking over the reins in 2011 is Coach Sam Messina, who wasted no time proving "the legacy of Chaparral baseball" would continue under his tutelage as the Firebirds claimed the AZ 5A-II State Championship in his first year.

Messina is no stranger to Arizona baseball. He was a player at Phoenix Cortez High School and the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the 1986 College World Series Championship team. Messina has over 20 years of coaching experience and ran Goodyear Millennium High School's baseball program before coming to Chaparral.

The Firebirds earned their first State Championship crown in 1994 with an impressive 9 - 0 win over Tucson Sunnnyside High School. The '94 Firebirds featured 7 players who continued on to play college and/or professional baseball including current Chicago White Sox starting first baseman Paul Konerko. Since that time, the program has gone on to thrive in a state that is rich in baseball talent and competition is fierce, and boast two other alumni who are currently playing in the majors - Ike Davis (2005), starting first baseman for the New York Mets, and Brian Bannister (1999), a pitcher for the Kansas City Royals.

The program has produced over 160 players (and 60% of its seniors) who have gone on to play collegiate and/or professional baseball including 8 players that have been selected by USA Baseball (governing body of Olympic baseball in the United States) to represent their country in International World Championship competition. Chaparral players have been represented in over 20 Major League Organizations and have also enjoyed success at top universities such as Arizona, Arizona State, USC, UCLA, Texas, Texas A&M, Stanford, Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Houston, Virginia Tech, Pepperdine, Georgia Tech, Loyola Marymount, and many others.

The consistency of success of the program is a tribute to the outstanding young men who make the choice to develop a strong work ethic, hone their personal skills, and be the best they can be as individuals and teammates. All of the young men who make up Chaparral Firebird Baseball make a commitment to themselves and their team to set and achieve goals - and the results speak for themselves.

Program Achievements

Arizona State Champions
2011
2008	2006	2005	2004
2003	2000	1999	1994

Arizona State Runner-Up
1998	1997	1989	1979

Region Champions
2009	2008	2007	2006	2005
2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
1999	1998	1997	1996	1995
1994	1993	1989	1986	1985
1982	1981	1980	1975