Easy to coach might be the best thing a coach can say about a player.
Richy Harrelson doesn’t have any problem using those words to describe Josh Stillman.
Don’t worry because those aren’t the only platitudes the Northeast Mississippi Community College baseball coach has ready when talking about the former New Hope High School standout.
“He is one of the hardest-working players on our team,” Harrelson said. “He is such a good student who doesn’t miss class and is on time for everything. He is a great all-around person, too, and when you add that with his athleticism and his ability, the sky is the limit.”
Harrelson’s comments highlight some of the primary reasons why Stillman was able to parlay a successful career at New Hope High into a strong first season at NEMCC in Booneville. Today, Stillman will take advantage of another opportunity those skills have helped him earn when he signs a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at North Alabama, a Division II school in Florence, Alabama.
“It is something I have dreamed about since I started playing, especially for my high school team,” Stillman said Monday. “Coming out of high school, I knew I had to keep working to get there. I worked as hard as I could to be able to get this opportunity.”
Stillman, a pitcher/infielder, was third on the team in batting average (.316) and hits (36) last season. In 43 games, he scored 19 runs, had nine doubles and 16 RBIs. The right-hander went 3-6 with a 2.77 ERA. In 61 2/3 innings, he gave up 70 hits and 19 walks. He struck out 38.
Harrelson said Stillman’s work in the weight room in the offseason has helped him go from a pitcher who threw 82-84 mph last season to one who is throwing 84-87 now. He said Stillman’s drive to win at everything he does has fueled his maturation and enabled him to become a team leader.
“He is one of those guys that if you give him some stuff to do or put him on a practice plan he goes and does it,” Harrelson said. “He doesn’t skip reps. He is always one of the hardest workers we have every day. He is always the first guy there. He always seems like he enjoys it.”
Harrelson admits there have been days where he and Stillman don’t see eye to eye about something, but he said Stillman still follows the plan because he is going to push himself to be the best and to give his best effort. As a result, Harrelson said Stillman’s teammates look to him as a leader.
“When he has a good attitude, they have a good attitude,” Harrelson said. “They follow him. It is something we have challenged him to do. We have told him that these guys are watching you, watching you to be the leader. It is really fun to watch the rest of them get in there behind him.”
Stillman said he took a one-day trip to North Alabama about three weeks ago. He said he knew a little bit about the baseball program and felt comfortable on the campus. He said the Florence, Alabama, which is a little more than two hours from Columbus, isn’t too far away from home and is a nice town, which helped make his decision easier.
Stillman also said he found the right fit with coaches who are going to help him get better. He said that was important because he found the same kind of coaches at NEMCC.
“I have definitely gotten a lot better, for sure,” Stillman said. “The coaches have done a great job getting us ready for the next level. At this point, it is how I perform on the field. They wanted me, and I didn’t want to end my career after two years, so I am thankful for the opportunity.”
Stillman said he has increased his strength from his days at New Hope when he said he was “very weak.” He credits Harrelson and assistant coach Jon Andy Scott for helping him position himself for a solid sophomore season and a chance to play baseball at a four-year school.
Harrelson wouldn’t have expected anything less. He said Stillman has improved his arm speed and the spin rate on his pitches. He said a great fall season has primed Stillman for what he feels will be a strong sophomore season. When that season starts, Harrelson expects Stillman to be an even bigger vocal leader who continues to lead his teammates by example.
“Josh is one of those guys who pull his teammates up,” Harrelson said. “He is going to get better because I know he is going to go up there and work. … I think he is going to be able to help them at North Alabama.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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