FARMINGTON COACH HAS FALCONS FLYING HIGH

There's a very good reason why the Farmington Falcons baseball team has grown into a prep powerhouse these past five years or so. That reason's name is head coach, Pete Finn, a magnetic dugout presence with few equals in the area.

This guy is a prep version of Tony La Russa, Joe Torre, and Sparky Anderson all rolled into one. He's the ultimate players coach like Sparky was, a savvy gameday tactician like La Russa, and inhabits the natural instinct for the game like Torre.

Behind Finn's fine tutelage, the Falcons are 16-4 so far this year and showing signs of brilliance per usual for Finn-coached squads.

After several years of good, but not great baseball from the Farmington program, since 2006 the Falcons have captured four straight district titles, two regionals, and garnered the school's first state championship game appearance back in 2007.

The Two Specific Things That Have Most Impressed Me About Finn This Year:

1 Following a game early in the year, I witnessed Finn take a Falcons player aside who was having a rough time at the plate and give him a inspiring pep talk. I saw the kid's face go from sad to all smiles in about 30 seconds, all because his coach took the time to tell him he had faith in his ability to overcome his recent struggles. BIG PLUS

2 On Monday, after the Falcons flew by Royal Oak 9-3 in an early-evening game, I saw coach Finn immediately turn his attention to the group of 11 year olds he coaches on the side. This guy just finished a 3 hour varsity baseball game and instead of going home and hitting the couch for some TV and a brew, he spends another 2 hours teaching 6^th graders the fundamentals of the game. And wow, does he have a way with the youngsters. I wish I had had someone like working with me on my swing when I was that age. He exudes patience and focus in his words and the traits carry over to his players, whether they be in little league or on the varsity level. BIGGER PLUS!

When you add in the likes of a super senior class – I'm taking about guys like Joel Fisher, Errik Scott, P.J. Cooley, Matt Gutknecht, Brett Linden, Dan Pochmara, among others – Finn has a great chance at bringing the boys back to Battle Creek and challenging for another shot at the state championship.

COACH PETE IS DA MAN!!!!!!!!!!