For Troy AAA head coach Adam Brookins and his sons Kade and Zane, baseball is more than a game; it’s a tradition.

Adam Brookins grew up playing baseball. He played throughout high school and it is an experience he cherishes.

Today, Brookins gets to coach the game he loves and, while doing so, gets to pass on his love of the game to his sons.

Brookins has been coaching for six years now. He started when his son Kade was in T-Ball. Now his youngest son, Zane, is getting introduced to the game for the first time and Brookins was right there with him.

“I enjoy it,” Brookins said. “You will probably hear any coach tell you that their son doesn’t listen to them, but over the last two years, me and him (Kade) have really started gelling as a father and a son with me coaching. I enjoy coaching him and I enjoy coaching his friends.”

There is always a special connection between a player and coach, only made more special by being father and son as well. Brookins wants the best for his sons, and even though he is hard on them at times, he said it’s with best intentions at heart.

“I am probably harder on him (Kade) than I should be,” Brookins said. “You love them so much that you always expect them to do right. At the end of the day he is still 10 and he is still going to make mistakes. Over the past couple of years I have realized that and it has been more enjoyable for both of us over the last few years.

Coach Brookins’ love for baseball has transferred over to Kade. So much so that he is constantly working on his craft, preparing himself for the next step.

“He loves it,” Brookins said. “Everyday he is throwing the ball and hitting the ball. It’s something he enjoys doing. It’s his hobby and he doesn’t just do it during baseball season. I have to encourage him to take a break so he can enjoy when the actual baseball season gets started.

During his time coaching Kade, Brookins’ teams have had a lot of success. In 2015, the Troy coach pitch team, led by Brookins’ won the state tournament and represented Alabama in the World Series. This year they will have the same opportunity when Troy hosts the state tournament.

“I think everyone is looking forward to this state tournament,” Brookins said. “Two years ago we won the state championship. Every kid on this team except for one has won a state championship.”