Blazer baseball thrown changeup

For the first time since 1990, North Lake College will start its 2005 baseball season with a new head coach. Steve Cummings will change positions after coaching the Blazers for 14 seasons.

Cummings has stepped aside to become the Fitness Center coordinator. The new Blazers baseball coach will be determined in the next few weeks.

His coaching career began at Richland College in 1985, and he was with the Thunderducks until 1990, where he gained valuable experience which he brought to North Lake.

After arriving to coach the Blazers, he commanded competitive teams to more than 300 wins -- the most in Metro Athletic Conference (MAC) history.

During his tenure, Cummings received coach of the year honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), MAC, Texas-New Mexico Junior College Baseball Coaches Association, and Louisville Slugger Regional; all of them twice.

“I always had good talent who worked real hard,” said Cummings. “I credit the players who always had a top-ranked schedule to play.”

Cummings said he would gladly trade all his awards and wins to know that his players have gone on and made something with their lives. “The thrill of victory is great, but there is more to it. Watching these young men grow up and be successful, that’s what it is all about,” he said.

Under Cummings’ direction, North Lake College earned three MAC championships and finished runner up and third place in the NJCAA World Series.

In his new position at North Lake, Cummings will also be in charge of developing the women’s volleyball team. He hopes that the success he brought to the baseball diamond will carry over to the volleyball court.

The new team will begin competition this season. There are currently 10 women on the team out to make a name for themselves. He said the women Blazers hope to get off to a great start and make a positive statement their first year out.

“This is a learning experience. Our goal is to finish in the top four in the MAC this year and build from there,” said Cummings.

“We’re going to start small and get stronger.”