RI’s Diamond in the Rough
John Rooke, GoLocalProv Sports Editor
RI’s Diamond in the Rough
He’s been finding gems on Rhode Island baseball fields for more than 30 years, the last 11 as head coach at the Community College of Rhode Island. In a sport that traditionally doesn’t start until the snow has long melted from the fields, when teams from other locales are a month deep into their schedules, Hopkins has more than just had his guys ready.
He’s had them winning – a lot.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn March, Hopkins became the all-time leader in coaching wins at CCRI, picking up his 251st win (against only 122 losses) and surpassing Harold “Whitey” Fell. When you’re playing fewer games due to weather in the northeast, compared to other parts of the country, that’s worth noting. The Knights’ program has also had its share of success advancing to the Junior College World Series, moving many players onto scholarships at the Division I major college level, and even into pro baseball and the major leagues.
CCRI’s baseball program is the real “diamond in the rough” around these parts. Hopkins is merely polishing the current product.
“I see more kids specializing in certain sports. They’re all chasing the dream,” Hopkins said. “When we recruit kids, we recruit shortstops and move them all over the field, we recruit centerfielders and play them all over the outfield. We’ve been pretty lucky with the kids we recruit, and the administration has been great.
Hopkins has been able to maintain the level of success at CCRI through the expanded “reach” that a successful baseball program has brought the school. Under former athletic director Lou Pullano, the Knights’ program began offering athletic scholarships (12 current baseball players are on scholarship), and the result has been increased interest in CCRI from all over the country. Players on the current roster come from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island, but also from as far away as Florida and Alabama.
“That’s really helped the school in terms of building a base,” Hopkins pointed out, “and it certainly helps us maintain our goal of playing a national schedule. We go down to Florida and play, we started our season in North Carolina, and we want to play the best teams that are around at the JUCO level. The College has really supported that effort.”
And as for the players on the field, it has been through the continued efforts of Hopkins and his coaches that they often realize their dreams of playing the game at the highest level possible.
“Our goal has been to get these kids onto Division I scholarships. Central Connecticut, UMass, our number one pitcher has signed with URI, so we’re doing the academic work with the athletic work and ensuring success in the baseball part of it to get them ready for the next level.”
It sounds like a simple formula. But knowing that in today’s age, the desire for instant gratification from players (and parents) can always muddy the picture actually helps Hopkins find the right balance, which in turn, has meant success. “Kids are kids – they want some structure, they want some discipline,” Hopkins added. “They’re looking for somebody to guide them in the right direction. Some kids can’t handle all we put on them. There’s a full commitment to playing 70 games (including 25 in the fall), 11 weeks of weight training, we’ve got these kids every single day and a lot of the kids coming up can’t handle that. Mandatory study halls twice a week. These kids that stay with us have bought into that.”
Add to that a commitment to keep at least half of his roster open to local players from Rhode Island, it’s no small wonder that CCRI has found a formula for continued success on the baseball diamond. Hopkins finds the gems, grinds away and then polishes the finished product - which helps his team, the athletic program, and the school.
“CCRI has always had a great baseball tradition, and I’m just trying to keep it going.”
Photo: Dan LaCorbiniere, CCRI