By Steve Morris

During a regular season game, Adam Best took the mound. While he was warming up the opposing coach deemed it necessary to gather his team and form an impromptu huddle to give a pep talk on strategies to hit the MVP pitcher.

Rush City senior Adam Best was awarded the Great River Conference MVP for the second consecutive year at the end of the season.

On winning two consecutive conference MVPís, Best said, ìitís a nice feeling.î

He said it would have been impossible to win the MVP without the help from his teammates and his dad.

ìMy teammates are a big part of it,î he said.

Bob Schlagel, head coach of the Tigers, said Bestís work ethic is what set him apart. Schlagel, who has coached for more than 30 years, said Best can do it all; run, hit, and play defense.

ìAdam is one of the finest players I have had come through our program in the 31 years I have coached,î Schlagel said.

Playing baseball is a full-time job for Best. He started playing baseball at age five and has played non stop since. It started at tee ball and little league and progressed to seven days a week on the field with his dad or teammates. He also went to different baseball camps.

ìHe just loves to playî Schlagel said.

Bestsí statistics donít lie. They tell of a kid who understands how to play the game. When Best would be on base all Schlagel would need to say is the number of outs and he knew what to do.

Best didnít earn a reputation as a Barry Bonds home run hitter but more as a consistent contact hitter.

This season Best recorded one home run. On the season, Best had 18 hits in 34 at bats, 16 RBIís, seven doubles, two triples and 12 runs scored. He hit nearly 4.75 batter average.

ìHe is just a good contact hitter, Schlagel said.

Pitching, he was equally dangerous. He had three wins, one loss, 18 strike outs and six walks.

His impressive on the fields statistics were the fruit of hours of practice. During his senior season Best would routinely put in 20 hours a week of practice.

Best would practice with his teammates after school for an hour and half and then practice hitting and fielding with his dad for an additional hour and a half. Soon, other players would join in on the extra practice.

ìIt became contagious,î Schlagel said. ìOther kids saw his skills improve.î

When Best was not on the mound he was the Tigersí defensive center point at short stop.

ìHe anchored our defense up the middle,î Schlagel said.

Now that Best has completed his senior season, he has other things on his mind than playing baseball.

In August, he leaves to join the U.S. Coast Guard.

ìI think itís the right thing to do,î he said.

His four years of varsity playing time didnít go unnoticed by local college scouts. Best was recruited by many division two and three schools. Bethel college was among the schools recruiting him.

Finally, after four years, opposing coaches wonít have to worry about the dangerous arm of kid named Best.

On his MVP player, Schlagel said, ìHeís a hard worker, a good kid and comes to play every day.î