Corey Reese
Published: January 25, 2006
PJC’s Doug Martin, associate head basebal coach, offered his resignation earlier this month, but has since decided to stay at PJC. The Corsair’s Corey Reese sat down with Martin to discuss the matter, as well as Martin’s expectations for the season.
Corsair: How long have you been with PJC and the baseball team?
Martin: This season starts my eighth season with the team.
Corsair: You originally resigned to take a position at The Baseball Factory. You have changed your mind and decided to come back. What made you change your mind?
Martin: I didn’t feel like I was ready to get off the field. I love teaching these guys. I didn’t feel like I was ready to leave PJC. This school has first class organization from top to bottom. I don’t recall once in my seven years here ever not wanting to come to work. I just wasn’t ready to give it up
Corsair: What are your expectations for the team this season?
Martin: Our goal is to qualify for the state tournament. In order to qualify we have to finish first or second in the Panhandle Conference.
Corsair: Your team is very freshmen heavy. How do you think that the youth and college inexperience of the team is going to affect your play this season?
Martin: It’s more of newness than inexperience. It’s going to take time to teach the new guys our system and early on in the season there’s going to be days that are better than others. By the time we start conference play on March 10th I think the newness will wear off.
Corsair: Is there one player that we should be on the watch for to have a big impact or a breakthrough season?
Martin: On the mound we are really depending on Ryan Bergh to pitch a lot of innings for us. Robert Bonifay is our centerfielder and we hope he can direct the outfield and step up for us there.
Corsair: What aspect of the team; offense, pitching, defense, do you think will carry this team?
Martin: I don’t think we can lean on one aspect of the team to play well. I think playing together as a unit is what is going to carry us. If we play with good chemistry then I think we will play very well this season.