2008 BASBALL SCHEDULE

For three years, Manatee HEAT's Baseball Program has been blessed by the leadership of Head Coach, Barry Batson.  He brought knowledge and understanding of the game, but more inportantly he brought discipleship of the Word of God to the player athletes. With bittersweet excitement,  Manatee HEAT accepted Barry's resignation  to take a position as an assistant coach to the great head coach, Tim Hill, at MCC. Barry's decision was a hard one, but God has greater things in store for him.  Combining baseball and the Word of God is not new to Barry - he is the Director of Athletes in Christ, a ministry to professional athletes, and Florida Baseball for Christ, where Barry holds free camps all over the state of Florida, for kids, using professional baseball players as instructors, to teach them the fundamentals of baseball, and share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is where I first met Barry about 10 years ago, when my son, Joel, attended his camps. Personally, I will definitely miss Barry, but I am excited to see how God will use him, and he won't be far away- I can even check out his home games!  

Barry has not left his position empty.   John Hefflefinger, Manatee HEAT's Girls' Basketball Head Coach, has agreed to take over the program as the Head Coach while also keeping his position as Head Coach for Girls' Basketball.  He also has years of baseball knowledge, great coaching skills and he is a mighty man of faith and power. The foundation of the program, Brian Hardy, JV Head Coach, Stan Sharek, Kenton Slabaugh, and our very own HEAT graduate, Nathan Groff, will continue to be the bedrock of our great baseball program.

As we look forward to the new season, continue to lift the whole of Manatee HEAT - from the Athletic Director all the way down to the youngest player athlete - up in prayer for wisdom, direction, and understanding both practically and spiritually.  

I pray for God's grace and mercy to follow and overtake each and everyone of you,

Beverly Hartman

                HEAT playing at the Next Level

Joel Hartman (02)- Joel is continuing to pursue his dreams and goal of playing professional baseball. An outfielder at Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Florida, he will graduate in May 2007 with a degree in Sports Management.

Matt Smith (05)- Pitcher at Bryan College in Dayton, TN

Josh Davis (06) - is currently reviewing his options and the plans that God has for him.

Nathan Davis (07) - is currently playing for Manatee Community College in Bradenton, FL.