Keeping up with this Jones will require you shorten your swing
Stolte said. “Off the charts as far as how you want a kid to act off the field. Polite, mature, accountable.”
The coach learned to appreciate that when adversity struck late in 2015. Rebels coach Tim Chambers resigned following an arrest in connection with driving under the influence and Stolte was promoted from associate head coach to acting head coach for the 2016 season.
As the team navigated the year without a permanent leader, Stolte credited Jones with keeping the team together through all the turnover.
“He really helped us,” said Stolte, who was named full-time coach in June. “The program could have really gone south last year, and he helped hold it together during the changeover and all the turmoil that was going on.”
Jones insists he’s not an “hoo-rah” type of guy, but he knows to get on his teammates privately if they’re not doing what they’re supposed to. The fifth-year senior tries to lead by example, and this year he’s done that by understanding what he can do as a hitter.
“I think he knows more who he is from an offensive standpoint this year,” Stolte said. “He’s not trying to do too much.”
Jones is looking for the gaps more this season after trying to hit for power too much last year and lengthening his swing. By doing so his slugging percentage has gone up 150 points from last season, and his batting average has improved from .250 to .359.
“By accident,” one of the Rebels leaders found his place in the team’s lineup.