One of the batting cages is set up specifically for softball pitching machines for girls .
Autumn Patterson lines a pitch back up the middle . Photo by Connie Southwell
One of the batting cages is set up specifically for softball pitching machines for girls .
“ He was one of the first people to realize the potential I had ,” Reddick said .
In 2017 , when the Astros won the World Series , Reddick hit . 314 with 13 home runs and 82 RBIs . He also hit 32 home runs for the Oakland A ’ s in 2012 and retired with a . 262 batting average .
Reddick said that throughout his career , he and Kirkland talked hitting , even during the season , no matter where he was playing .
Everything in a swing is interconnected and even something small can create problems , he said .
“ We were always analyzing things ,” Reddick said .
He remembers leaving ballparks on the West Coast and seeing messages on his phone from his former coach , who had watched the game and picked up a tiny flaw in his swing .
“ He ’ d leave a message , like ‘ Get your hands up ,’” he said .
“ And it was nothing for us to talk at 3 in the morning .”
The two have remained close and Reddick still keeps in touch with Kirkland , his wife Marni and sons Colin , Coy and Caison .
Colin is currently the baseball coach at Centennial High in Roswell .
Former Packer baseball player Raines Plant , who now coaches a 10U team and runs a speed and agility class at the Fundamental Factory , butted heads with Kirkland for three years before finally buying into his coach ’ s philosophy .
Plant batted . 412 as a senior and earned a chance to play at Thomas University for three years .
“ I remember him coming to me and telling me , ‘ I just want you to be a hitter ,’” Plant said . “ I finally listened . If you ’ ll just listen , it makes sense .”
When Kirkland retired , three-year Colquitt County catcher , Team Georgia member and Georgia College player Jay Saunders said , “ I remember those Sundays out there hitting with him . He is a great hitting coach . He is so good about picking up things in everybody ’ s swing .”
Tillery played for the Packers in the early 1980s and later was a catcher at Georgia Southwestern . He is a longtime Packers assistant baseball coach , football and wrestling coach , athletic director and assistant principal .
He and Kirkland have been close over the years .
30 MoultrieScene MAY 2024