April 15, 2008

Dear Friends, Family, Booster Club Members, and future Panthers,

Welcome to another addition of Coaches Corner where once a week you will get an update on what is going on inside of Panther Baseball.

This week I would like to spotlight Joel Fleck.  Joel is a junior from Santa Rosa California where he was a standout pitcher at Rincon Valley Christian High School.  Joel just recently broke the school saves record and leads the pitching staff with 21 appearances.  He currently has a 3.48 ERA and has struck out 45 batters on the year.  In Joel’s three years on campus I have never once had to question his work ethic or character.  You can’t replace kids like Joel.  He is and will continue to leave a defining imprint on York College baseball.

We were fortunate to win our ninth game in a row this week against Hastings College.  Dusty Dominguez gave his teammates and outstanding performance on the mound for five innings and Mike Becker and Joel Fleck combined to finish a 4-3 ball game at home.  In anticipation of our conference series against Central Christian University this week I reminded our team about the importance of consistent preparation. 

Last night at practice I told them a story about the success of Mike Tyson and how one night his title was challenged and stripped to the shock of everyone including him.  See Iron Mike was a phenomenal fighter. He had a tremendous passion and drive to compete.  This desire combined with pure talent made him the most feared boxer of his time. 

A man by the name of Buster Douglas changed history one night by knocking Tyson out in front of millions of viewers.  After the fight Tyson publicly admitted that he let his guard down.  Not in the ring but in anticipation for the fight.  He did not give the contender the amount of respect he deserved and his training reflected his attitude.  The preparation was not consistent therefore Tyson left the ring that night without his title.

It does not matter who we play or what stage it is on.  Our preparation has to be focused and consistent for every opponent.  Our goal is to be aggressive from the very first pitch keeping our opponents on there heals. 

In our spiritual lives are we on our heals or are we the aggressor?  Satan looks for opportunities to attack.  If we let our guard down we to may end up on the canvas.  Use the word of God to be prepared for the spiritual battle we are in every day. 

2 Corinthians 10:4 says: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Sincerely,

Coach Harlan