Every team needs glue.
Squads also need leaders who pick teammates up and help keep spirits elevated in trying times.
Tyler Farnham is all of that in one player.
It also helps he can produce when put in a clutch situation.
That complete package is part of what attracted Chris Rose and the East Mississippi Community College baseball program to Farnham.
On Tuesday, the Heritage Academy senior infielder realized a goal when he signed a scholarship to play baseball at EMCC.
“I try to be a leader for our team,” Farnham said. “I know every team has to have a leader. I know if you have a leader on your team you”re going to do good. You have to have someone back there picking everybody up.”
Farnham entered the final regular-season series against Jackson Academy hitting .316 with nine doubles, one triple, and two home runs. He also had 37 runs and 12 stolen bases. Those numbers are impressive, but Heritage Academy baseball coach Bruce Branch and EMCC assistant coach Michael Wallace, who was in Columbus for the signing, pointed to Farnham”s leadership qualities as his best attributes.
“He always has been that kid who has worked really hard,” Branch said. “He has been a good role model to a lot of our underclassmen. A lot of kids have looked up to him. He has been the guy who had kept our team together through the ups and downs. He is the guy we have leaned on the keep the ship from sinking. He is the backbone of our team.”
Said Wallace, “The first thing when you see Tyler is he is a product of extremely hard work. You can tell he is committed to the process of getting better every day.”
Wallace said Farnham has a lot of energy and leadership potential because of his work ethic and his ability to produce. He said Farnham projects as a middle infielder and that he could play other positions given his intangibles.
Farnham joins Heritage Academy teammates Austin Braddock and Camp Pittman in signing with EMCC. Wallace said Farnham was on that initial wish list and that he and Rose wanted to see him play before they went from a “like” stage to a “love” stage.
Branch said Farnham worked hard to take his game to another level to convince the EMCC coaches he could play at the next level. He praised Farnham”s aggressiveness on the bases and his willingness to invest the extra time and his determination to prove to people he can play in college.
Farnham started played baseball in T-Ball, and that playing the sport in college has been a goal ever since he can remember. He credits his parents and coaches for instilling that attitude in him. He said his father, Jeff, coached him in youth leagues in Columbus all the way up to high school, and the lessons he learned in that time stick with him today.
“My dad always told me the only way you”re going to make it is if you work hard and every day put in the time and extra time you need to,” Farnham said. “Every day at practice I give it 110 percent for my team and for myself and it gives us a good chance to be successful.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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