By Corine Gatti

Published: April 20, 2008

FISHERSVILLE
Eyes widen, palms sweat and lips tighten.
If Wilson Memorial is on the radar, expect a different type of coaching system. Coach Derek McDaniel introduced his expectations and gave a lesson about what it means to wear Hornets jersey when he took over the baseball team this season.
McDaniel’s simple message — respect the game and yourself.
“It’s all about discipline and respect. I’m not a sergeant, where I scream and holler,” McDaniel said, shaking his head. “They’re still just kids, if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile. I want to teach these kids good habits in baseball, so they will learn and develop good habits in life.”
As far as bad habits go, some players found out what could happen. On April 1, the gauntlet was thrown down after teachers had lodged complaints about a few players. Voices rumbled off the third baseline. Players were stood together like a body shield. McDaniel emerged wearing sunglasses and stepped to the players.
“I’m tired of your teachers coming to me and telling me that you’re not doing your work and how you’re late getting to class,” McDaniel lectured his squad before that practice. “I don’t want to hear it from your teachers anymore.”
A couple of player’s voices rose against the accusations, but silenced when the coach repeated himselfin a more light-hearted manner.
Alex Fisher learned firsthand that the coach was serious.
“I didn’t start because I was tardy for my class again,” Fisher said sheepishly. “It was hard at first to get used to the way the coach disciplines us, but I think the discipline has really helped me and the team to do better.”
McDaniel spoke about the reasoning behind the lecture in the dugout.
“I told varsity, if I give you a uniform, you are representing the school, the community, the team, you represent me.” McDaniel said.
Slugger Bryce McClamroch added that the team has changed since that early April meeting.
“I think it has done the team good as far as discipline,” McClamroch said. “He’s been hard on us, but it’s not hard. If we follow his rules everything will be alright.”
Nothing escapes McDaniel, even if there is hat hiding it.
“I’m old school, there are certain things I want to see,” McDaniel admitted, then pointed to a player on the junior varsity team that passed by. “You see, if that player was on my team, his hair would be cut shorter.”
Over the past two decades, McDaniel has developed a reputation for his clean-cut philosophy. He laughs when he remembers how his reputation has stalked him.
“I’ll walk onto a field and there will be kids with their hats turned backwards, and as soon as they see me they quickly fix it,” McDaniel chuckled.
McDaniel’s philosophy may be considered old school, but the ultimate goal is to keep the program vibrant.
“Five-years from now these guys will be gone, but the program remains,” McDaniel said. “Everything we do is for the program, so it’s important what we do now.”
Off the field, McDaniel doesn’t just discuss the stat sheets.
“It’s is all about preparation, this is not summer ball,” McDaniel said. “I tell these guys all the time when you play at this level you should be prepared.”
At Wilson, there is no preferential treatment — regardless of class status.
“I don’t care if you are a senior, no one is entitled to play unless it’s earned,” McDaniel said. “As a coach, you are fighting against society. Kids think when they see a professional athlete on television that they will have things handed to them. I’m good to these kids, I treat them with respect, but I have expectations too. How they act on the field is how I want them to behave in school and on the streets. It’s a respect factor.”