Hard-nosed: Competitive spirit, hard work make Hartley a leader for Trojans

Published 3:00 am Saturday, March 19, 2016

Photo/Dan Smith Chase Hartley watches his homerun during a game against Robertsdale in the Terry Sikes Memorial Tournament earlier this season. Hartley’s drive and competiveness has helped the Trojans start the season 16-1.

Photo/Dan Smith
Chase Hartley watches his homerun during a game against Robertsdale in the Terry Sikes Memorial Tournament earlier this season. Hartley’s drive and competiveness has helped the Trojans start the season 16-1.

Chase Hartley already has one state championship ring, but the Charles Henderson senior won’t be satisfied until he wins another.

“It would definitely be great” Hartley said about one final run at a championship. “I would love to be able to go out knowing that we were best in 5A again.”

That tenacity isn’t lost on his coaches or his teammates.

Sign up for our daily email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

“One thing I can say about Chase is that he is hard-nosed,” said Trojans head coach William Teal. “He is a competitor. He has one goal and this is winning.”

That drive makes Hartley a standout leader on the Trojan squad. So far this season, Hartley has seen time in both left and right field, on first base and as one of the top pitchers in the rotation. Being able to play multiple positions on the field gives coaches the flexibility to pencil Hartley in the lineup in multiple positions.

“This year he has been so good for us as far as his diversity,” Teal said. “He is that go to guy that you need and you can put anywhere. He is willing to do whatever it takes.”

For Hartley, being a leaders means setting the right tone and example for his teammates.

“It’s about showing the right attitude, Hartley said. “You need to make sure when people follow you need to lead them in the right direction.”

And, he said, you need to produce on the field. In 17 games Hartley is hitting .390 with four homeruns and 29 RBI. On the mound he has pitched a total of 29 innings and has an earned run average of 1.45.

DSC_2402web

“I am stronger this year than I have been,” Hartley said. “(The coaches) have taught me a lot of things both mentally and physically and I feel like I am at the top, but I have a lot more room for improvement.”

During Hartley’s first three years at Charles Henderson he had the opportunity to play under former head coach Derek Irons.

“He was a great coach. I loved the guy to death,” Hartley said. “He had a great attitude towards everything. He led everyone in right direction, like how to approach things, and he told us to know that you are never done until it’s over.”

With Teal, Hartley said he is learning another approach to the game.

“Irons is calmer kind of coach until the things get bad,” Hartley said. “Teal is more of a high energy guy. … I like both of them.”

The Trojans currently sit at 16-1 and have their sights on another deep playoff run.

“We definitely need to tone down on the errors,” Hartley said. “We still have problems with that here and there. When we make an error we need to forget about it and move on to the next play.”

Hartley and the Trojans will return to action on Monday when they host Greenville at 4:30 p.m.