Published: Thursday, April 22, 2010

By Matt Tidmore
Madison Magazine

In his first season on the job Bob Jones head baseball coach Jeff Bell saw his team's season come to a premature close as the Patriots were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Huntsville.

In that moment it would have been reasonable to think that the Patriots season would be labeled a disappointment. From Bell's perspective that is not a fair assessment of his team.

"I felt good about our team going into the series against Huntsville. Our series against Sparkman to end the season took a lot out of us," Bell said. "We seem to be down and Huntsville was up. Obviously I wish we were still playing, but this season was a success for us."

To understand the team's success one must look at the big picture of the overall season rather than focusing in on the last two games.

The nine seniors that set the tone for this team were able to do something that had never been done in their lifetimes. It had been 18 years since a Bob Jones baseball team was crowned area champs and this team ended that streak.

"Our goal we talked about from the start of preparing for this season was to win the area. We were able to do that the final weekend of the season against Sparkman," Bell said. "We talked about the 18-year drought and we improved as the season went along. These guys practiced on many a cold night and they were motivated to get better and get the area title."

A 23-16 record, an area title that has eluded the school for a generation and a great building block season for the Patriots is evidence enough that this season was a success. Coach Bell even had some individuals in mind that stood out as having individual success that help lead to the team's success.

UAB signee Edwin Reyes was often a part of the team's success in some of its biggest games this season. Reyes batted .388 to lead the team and was tops on the team in doubles with 12. He tied for the team lead in homers with 4 and was second among the Patriots with 29 RBI.

Another senior with a sweet swing was Ricky Burks. Burks led the team with 35 RBI, batting .363 with 4 homers and 10 doubles.

As the class of 2010 departs it does not leave coach Bell empty handed. His dugout will still be full of talent as it seeks back to back area championships.

Junior pitchers Cooper Weiland and Charlie Johnson had a combined record of 11-2 this season and Johnson was a reliable bat at the plate. Throw in sophomore Trey Wingenter who batted .371 with 19 RBI and coach Bell likes his chances to repeat as champs.

"We've got the potential to do it again next year. We could very well be back to back area champs," Bell said. "I feel good about our chances especially when I look at the success of our junior varsity and freshman teams."

The junior varsity and freshman baseball teams were stunning this year. JV went 28-4 winning the metro tournament while the freshman team went 30-3-1 and also winning the metro tournament.

Another area championship might not be a guarantee next year for Bob Jones but it is obvious that Coach Bell has the team in a position to contend for years to come.