John has coached and managed amateur baseball teams in the St. Louis area for over 30 years, beginning in 1989. He was also an outstanding pitcher and second baseman who attracted the attention of Major League scouts.

For many year, Sappington has been a coach and manager for the Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club. In 2008, he was named Mathews-Dickey Manager of the Year. The following season he managed the first Mathews-Dickey team to participate in the MLB-sponsored Reviving Baseball in the Inner Cities program. That year, his team finished third in the RBI national tournament. In 1997, he received the George Green Memorial Award after his Mathews-Dickey Knights team won the Little League state tournament. In 2005, Sappington received the Mathews-Dickey Father of the Year Award.

Sappington was a baseball coach at Brentwood High School from 2014 to 2017. His Eagles won the district championship in 2016. He coached the St. Louis Stixx in 2012. He managed the St. Louis Naturals in 2013. Sappington managed and coached at every level of amateur baseball in St. Louis. His teams won numerous championships.

From 1980 to 1982, John was a pitcher, second baseman and catcher for the Kirkwood American Legion team. He also played for Kirkwood High School, where he was one of the best pitchers in the St. Louis area.

From 1983 to 1992, he pitched for the semi-pro Mathews-Dickey Knights in the CYC Major League. He was a 15-game winner for seven years, and he had the lowest ERA for five years. John was selected to many CYC all-star teams. In 1993, he pitched for O’B Clark’s in the CYC Major League. He was with the St. Louis Royals in 1994. From 1996-2000, Sappington was a pitcher for the St. Louis Red Sox in the North County AAA Travel League.