By FRED CONLEY
T-H Sports Editor
First-year Forrest City Mustang Coach Reggie Murphy has a simple rule of thumb for the upcoming baseball season.
"We're not going to get beat because a team outworked us," Murphy said today. "If another team beats us it will be because they have more talent than we do. We plan to do our part this season to bring some respect back to the baseball program."
The Mustangs will begin baseball practice in full force today inside the new athletic complex -- a place they may have to use for several days with the advent of inclement weather for the area looming in the forecast.
But that's okay with Murphy and his assistant coach Michael Work.
"We will be doing a lot of drills using tennis balls whiffle balls," Murphy said. "Obviously, by having to practice inside, we will have to modify our game plan somewhat."
The Mustangs have just over four weeks to prepare for their Feb. 20 opener against West Helena.
"We would like to have a little more time, but we'll take what we have and do the very best that we can to be ready," Murphy said.
With about 27 kids on roster, Murphy said he has a good mixture of seniors, juniors and sophomores.
"I think we have more sophomores than juniors or seniors but that's good because that gives us something to build on," Murphy added. "We have some seniors coming back who have been a part of the program the last two years and they want to turn the baseball program around. They threw up some pretty impressive numbers as far as how many wins they want this year and their season-long goals."
Murphy inherits a Mustang squad that finished 3-17-1 a year ago.
"After talking with the returning players, I know think they aren't satisfied at all with the performance last season," Murphy said.
Murphy said he wants this year's Mustang team to be very aggressive on bases.
"We have lots of speed and we plan on using that speed to our advantage, especially when we're playing in our ball park," Murphy added. "The field dimensions are built for a team with speed and we hope to use that to turn singles into doubles and doubles into triples. We need to have good base running skills and we need to put the pressure of the opposing defenses."
Murphy doesn't think the Mustangs will face a team this year with more speed than he will have.
"We may face a team that has as much speed as we have, but not probably not very many with more speed," Murphy said.
Murphy is a graduate of Pine Bluff Dollarway High School where he played football and baseball.
He played both sports while attending Arkansas State University.
Taking over the baseball program is his first head coaching assignment.
"The first thing the kids have to have is respect for the coaches and what we want to do and for the program and the work ethic," Murphy said. "If you have that in place, then you have a right to expect to win."
Work graduated from Watson Chapel High School where he played football and baseball.
The Forrest City Junior High basketball teams return to action tonight. The Blue Mustang teams will host West Memphis Wonder tonight at the Barn beginning at 5 p.m. The White Mustang teams will be on the road at West Memphis West beginning at 5 p.m.