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Coaches slide into Hall of Fame with nearly identical careers For more than a decade, Rex Easley and Ben Jacobs have stared across the diamond at each other from opposing dugouts. They might as well have been peering into a mirror. The similarities in their coaching careers are uncanny. In 14 years, Easley is 234-92 at Kamiakin with one state title in 1994. In 14 years, Jacobs is 229-101 at Richland with one state title in 1999. Easley has been to the final four three times. Jacobs has been to the final four three times. Easley has been named Big Nine Conference Coach of the Year five times. Jacobs has been named Big Nine Conference Coach of the Year four times. In 14 seasons, Easley has advanced to the district tournament 13 times. In 14 seasons, Jacobs has advanced to the district tournament 14 straight
times. Neither remembers the exact record in head-to-head competition, but both admit it's about .500. Both will both be inducted into the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Saturday. It's a deserving honor for both and a nice touch that both will be enshrined while they are still active and can enjoy the honor. Both coaches credit their players, assistant coaches, schools, families and a group of great youth coaches for their success. While it's unfair to ask either who was their best player, hitter and pitcher, the answers are interesting so we asked anyway. Easley said his best hitter was Ron Wright, his best pitcher Tony Mounce and his best player Ryan Rutz. Jacobs said his best hitter was Grant Richardson, his best pitcher D.J. Hanson and his best player Nate Holdren. Both are quick to add a prestigious list of honorable mentions that includes such all-stars as: Travis Buck, Chris Whitemarsh, Lance Frisbee, Jason Smith, Brian Edwards, Craig Hays, Micah Dunham, Bryan Williamson, Boyd Robertson, Cory Lake, Dominic Woody and Brian Miller. Jacobs and Easley will join old buddy Dean Hoff, the former Kennewick coach who was inducted into the Hall in 1997. The three have been friends and competitors for more than a decade. "My best memories of coaching are against those two guys," Hoff said. "I really enjoyed the camaraderie with both of them and I'm happy and proud for both of them. We've all had very supportive families, not to mention hundreds of great players." Easley also had the opportunity to coach an American Legion team that finished second in the nation in 1999, and his 1994 state championship team was ranked fifth in the country. Both are simply good men who enjoy their jobs and the unique relationship it takes to coach young players. A few years ago, I was assigned to umpire the annual doubleheader between Kamiakin and Richland. Late in the first game, with Richland ahead by nine runs in the sixth inning, I called a Richland runner out at second base on a close play. Jacobs was quick to come out to inquire. "Why was he out?" Jacobs demanded. "Why?" "He's out," I said with a smile, "because you're still stealing when you're ahead by nine runs." "You can't do that," Jacobs said. "You haven't seen our bullpen." Despite its lack of relief pitchers, Richland held on to win. In the second game, with Kamiakin ahead by nine runs, Easley came out to inquire about a close play at the plate. "Are you sure?" Easley asked. "Are you sure he was out?" "When these two teams play," I told him, "who can be sure of anything?" We all had a good laugh later, the postgame rehash at the local watering hole at least as important as the games themselves. Forget all the wins, all the championships, all the trophies. Easley and Jacobs, and Hoff as well, are winners because they have the ability to keep the games in perspective. And, just as importantly, to impart that wisdom to their players. "We are rivals," Jacobs said, "but not bitter rivals. I respect their program and their players and know they feel the same way." Easley will confirm that: "We want to beat each other pretty bad, but it was fun to play them and it almost relaxed everyone because even if you lost it would be to someone you had a great deal of respect for." A luncheon at noon honoring the two will be Saturday at the Doubletree at SeaTac followed by baseball and softball clinics. Adding Easley and Jacobs to the Hall just adds another exclamation point about the quality of baseball played in the Tri-Cities. Others coaches already enshrined from eastern Washington are Fran Rish (Richland, 1998), Hoff (Kennewick, 1997), Ken Johnson (Eisenhower, Walla Walla CC, 1996), Glenn Meinke (Hanford,1995), Bobby Waits (Hanford, 1994), Bill Walker (Connell, 1992) and Al Daniels (Pasco, 1989). Jacobs and Easley are fitting additions to that illustrious list. | ||||||||||
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