PINEVILLE, La. – As the Louisiana College baseball team prepares to face Hardin-Simmons University in the first round of the American Southwest Conference Tournament, many of its members have turned to senior relief pitcher Steven Jones for guidance and advice.
That is because Jones is a coach on the field, literally.
On April 26, Jones, who was one of the wildcat’s most reliable relievers, was tentatively named the head baseball coach of De Witt High School in De Witt, Ark.
“It’s up there around the top,” said Jones of where being named the head man at De Witt ranks among his greatest accomplishments.
Though that may seem like an understatement, Jones’ list of on field accomplishments throughout his high school and college career is extensive.
As a multi-sport athlete at powerhouse Junction City High School in Arkansas, Jones played Quarterback on the 2003 Arkansas Class AA state championship football team as well as playing third base and pitching on the 2004 Class AA state championship baseball team.
Those experiences he had in high school, along with being a key member of Louisiana College’s bullpen the past two years, have helped Jones prepare for his future career.
“From a player standpoint, I’ve been able to sit back and learn the ins and outs of the game, both mentally and physically, “ Jones said, “I’m ready I’m excited to take what I’ve learned in my time at LC and pass it along to my players so that they’ll be ready for whatever endeavors they may attempt in their life.”
Jones has certainly been ready for many challenges that he has faced the last several years in college, including being converted from an outfielder to a pitcher before his first season on LC’s campus, and then being convinced to turn into a submarine style pitcher prior to his junior season.
His willingness to make changes and handle adversity in order to help out his team has stuck out to those around him.
“Steven showed up everyday with an attitude of someone happy to be there,” said LC assistant coach Andrew Shelton of Jones’ approach towards the game,” that’s all you can ask for out of a player or coach, someone who loves the game and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
That will to win, along with his passion and enthusiasm for the game certainly stood out during Jones’ interview process, as it is rare for a school to take a chance on a twenty-two year old as head coach.
However, Jones has no doubts in his abilities to get the job done.
“Age is just a number,” Jones said, “what it comes down to is being confident in what you know and bringing energy and enthusiasm to De Witt High School baseball.”
While handling a baseball program and creating a winning tradition at his new mainstay is certainly a priority for Jones at this point, he realizes that he must enjoy the little time that he has left in college.
He certainly manages to do this, as he is known around the Wildcat locker room as one of the team’s primary jokesters.
“Jones is a really funny guy, just fun to be around,” said senior pitcher Bret King when talking about Jones’ prowess with one-liners, ”he’s the type of guy that can turn any situation into something enjoyable.”
King warns future De Witt high school players, however, not to mistake Jones’ easy-going persona for a weakness.
“He’s going to make sure they know that there is a difference between work time and play time,” said King, “As a player, knowing that he has a funny side would make playing for him more relaxed, but he also has a mentality that they have to be there to work.”
Jones’ also realizes that the people around are more than willing to lend support in his future endeavors.
One of these people is LC head baseball coach Mike Byrnes, who Jones credits with giving him one of the more meaningful pieces of advice he has received since hearing of his hiring.
“When Coach Byrnes found out I got the job he was happier than I was, Jones said,” He came up to me and said, ‘when you go up there, just be yourself, don’t change anything about you and they’ll know they made the right decision.’”
Being himself and working hard is something that Jones has always been comfortable with, and that is beginning to pay off for him in the coming weeks and months as he first prepares to walk across the stage at LC’s spring graduation ceremonies on May 8th.
After that, it’s off to De Witt to start a new stage of his life, something that he is more than willing to take on.
“Anytime you can get the chance to do what you love as a career it’s hard to top that.”
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Jordan Meisner is a rising junior at Louisiana College and a journalism student of LC professor Al Quartemont. For more from Meisner as well as other young journalists at Louisiana College visit "The Wildcat," Louisiana College's student-run newspaper, online at wildcatsmedia.com