Making the right decision

Like many college students, Jacksboro Baseball Coach Blake Belcher had a decision to make while in college.

While playing baseball for Abilene Christian, his head coach resigned which meant he was losing his scholarship. He went to nearby Ranger Junior College where he felt he wasn't being given a fair shake. Howard Payne Assistant Coach David White saw Belcher one day, liked what he saw and offered Belcher another chance to play.

Belcher took the chance as White's first ever recruit and it was a decision that led to a successful career for the Yellowjackets. So successful in fact, he is spending his Saturday night being inducted into the HPU Athletic Hall of Fame.

"Man, that one little decision made all the difference," Belcher said while reminiscing what went through his mind when he found out he was being inducted. "He (White) will be introducing me as he's one of my best friends."

Belcher said the teams he was one were "a lot of guys like me from small classification who just got overlooked." Belcher says he stays in contact with many of his HPU teammates.

He has many fond memories of his times in Brownwood. Winning a conference title and beat such schools as ACU and Division I UT-Arlington are some.

His sophomore year the team was playing Hardin-Simmons and had split the first two games of the series. He came through with a walkoff bases clearing double.

He closed out his collegiate career in style. In his last regular season at-bat, with a playoff spot on the line and family watching him, he took a left-handed reliever over the centerfield wall.

Belcher was ASC Player of the Year in 1997. He fnished his career as the Jackets' leader in doubles, walks and hit by pitches. He batted .379, had 122 RBIs and 130 runs scored were also second on the career list.