2007

ROBBIE ROBERTSON/THE NEWTONRECORD East Central baseball coach Neal Holliman walks off the field after an inning against Northwest Community College ea rlier this season. Holliman Fmm Part 2 ing track at the baseball field. I told him that even if he didn't have time to play, I would like for him to come eat a steak on us. He said he would try to make it.

The golf tournament came and went and Holliman never showed. not even for steaks. But that was OK, I knew he had something else to do that day. Instead of golf and steaks, it was shovels and back-breaking work. That showed me that Holliman has what it takes to win at this, or any level.

Holliman said above anything else, the Warriors are going to work hard. And they don't need to look any farther than their head man for that leadership. Take this summer for instance. After coming in late, Holliman spent a good part of the summer work- ing on Jamie Clark Field, making improvements there. Just before high schools started practicing football, The Newton Record hosted its annual coaches golf tournament. I invited all the high school football coaches in the county as well as the coaches from East Central. Since Neal was new, I wanted to make sure he knew about the event and perhaps get a morning away. Holliman called me the day before the tournament and told me he wouldn·t be able to play because they would be busy mstalling a new warn-

So don't be surprised when Holli– man wins. It might not be this year but it will be soon because things can change quiGldY in the world of junior _ ____ college baseball. And while he may not have the

APPEARED IN:

CART~AG!N!Ar SCOTT COUNT UNION APPEAL WINSTON COU SPIRIT OF MO~ OTL{ER ___

advantages of Meridian Community College, he certainly has the work ethic it takes to compete with the big boys. And in many cases, work ethic will overcome talent. It's usually just a matter of time. Robbie Robertson is editor and publisher of The Newton Record.