U.M. Baseball heading Home

By Jordon D. Semien

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Coach Chandler Rose

  The crack of the bat as it collides with the ball. The sound of fans chanting and cheering as teams vie in mid spring and early summer. There’s no sure fire way to describe the excitement of attending a baseball game in words, but the right words may just invoke the best memories for fans of all ages.    

   In a football first state like Alabama, at some times, it may be hard for our National Pastime to receive much publicity, outside of the Major Leagues. But at the University of Montevallo, men like Coach Chandler Rose are giving students and fans a new reason to pack Kermit A Johnson Field to capacity.

   In just his third year at the helm of the program, Coach Rose has his Montevallo Falcons knocking on the door of not only a Peach Belt Tournament appearance, but a chance for a NCAA D-II Regional Tournament bid. 

  

#36 Vinny Rodriguez

   For Coach Rose, the season’s success hinged on his team’s ability to “Win Today”, saying “Right now it’s not too tough to keep them focused, with what we’re playing for…Our guys know the importance of every game from here on out and we got nine regular season games that are championship games, each and every one of them”.

    Coach Rose came to Montevallo after helping guide the Air Force Academy to program highs in batting and fielding. As recruiting coordinator, Rose saw many of his players make it to the major leagues.

Kermit A. Johnson Field

    At Montevallo, Coach has seen no shortage in talent, including Red Shirt Sophomore Outfielder Vinny Rodriguez. Rodriguez, a recent nominee for the Tino Martinez D-II player of the year award, has been one of the most consistent forces on the team this year.

   He attributes that success to his personal mantra of taking every practice and game one at-bat at a time, saying “I just gotta take it one at bat at a time. I can’t get ahead of myself, and I can’t start thinking too much if I have an off game or anything. Every time I go to the plate, it’s that at bat. Not worrying about the next one or the one before that.”

    It’s a mantra Vinny shares with his Head Coach. Through out it all, the ups and the downs, the accolades and the accomplishments, Coach Rose will always preach the time honored tradition of showing his players the value of patience.

   “What I always talk about with the team, and the one thing we always focus on is improving everyday.” Rose said, “If we keep improving and buying into the things that have made us successful, then the results will be there.”  

    To keep up with Vinny, Coach Rose, and the rest of the team, check out the Baseball Team’s Homepage, Facebook page, and be sure to watch the next Falcon Fever and Falcon Weekly.