All-Star Baseball Coach

FARMINGTON’S HARPER WANTS ATHLETES TO SUCCEED

FARMINGTON — Jay Harper, Farmington baseball coach, took his coaching philosophy of win the inning into the All-Star game on Tuesday.

According to Harper, looking at the whole big picture of a ballgame can overwhelm people, but by breaking the game down into an inning at time, players are better able to focus on the task at hand.

“We’re talking about winning the inning we’re playing. That’s what makes them successful,” Harper said.

Harper was named head coach of the West All-Stars by the Arkansas Activities Association for the 2013 Arkansas Army National Guard/Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star baseball double-header played at Bear Stadium on the University of Central Arkansas at Conway. Harper led the West out with a staff including: Jake Hudson, of Clarksville; Ryan Casalman, of County Line; and Luke Davis, of Conway St. Joseph. Among the All-Star players was Spencer Boudrey, a 2013 Farmington graduate, representing the Cardinals along with Harper.

Farmington finished as District Runnerup, Regional Runnerup, and advanced to the state quarterfinals. Harper was named NWA Media Coach of the Year for small schools for 2013 after guiding the Cardinals to a 20-5 season with an unbeaten record in the tough 1-4A and conference championship. Farmington was the district runnerup, Regional runnerup, and advanced to the state tournament quarterfinals. Jana Harper, Jay’s wife, said her husband is very disciplined and has high expectations both on and off the field.

“When these boys leave this program, hopefully they are a little better equipped to to face life after high school athletics,” Jana Harper said. “For some boys their high school coach is the only male adult in their life holding them accountable and pushing them to succeed.”

Harper