Posted on December 4, 2014.
By Thomas Sellers Jr.
It is often said baseball is a year around sport. Munford Cougar senior Kyle Hindman is living proof of that. Since the age of 10, he has dedicated hours and months to the sport. And on Nov. 18 in the Munford High School Library every minute spent in the infield taking ground balls, every fly ball caught and the practice swings were validated with his signing to Christian Brothers University. Hindman was joined by his parents Alisia and James, grandparents Glenda and Jimmy and interim Head Coach Jake Garbuzinski for the ceremony. “It’s a big elephant off my back,” Kyle said. “I played a lot of baseball during the summer. I talked to a lot different coaches and what school did I want to go to academically.” CBU is a NCAA Division II program and alma mater of Garbuzinski. The Bucs have signed several area players Colby Poston of Brighton and Blain Curtis of Tipton-Rosemark Academy. The Bucs are led by Head Coach Phil Goodwin. And CBU is one of the top academic institutions in the nation. Kyle met their requirements with a 3.3 grade-point average and 24 on the ACT. Hindman added it was his play for Batter’s Box Baseball out of Collierville in the infield that also attracted CBU and other colleges. “It feels great to reach this level,” he said. “I feel like I’ve finally accomplished something. It’s an accomplishment and I’m really going to enjoy it.” His parents are enjoying the moment as well being there by Kyle’s side on the field since the age of 4. “Overwhelmed,” Alisia said of her feelings. “He’s in a great spot. I feel CBU is an elite school and great education. The coach seems wonderful to me and he has a few friends who have signed to CBU. I think he’s found a home.” James said signing day was a time for celebration and exhaling. “I’m glad because it’s been a long process,” he said. “I’m glad because that stress is gone. He made the commitment and decided to take care of business and get this done early. He had the choice of trying to wait out until next year (spring), but CBU really pulled through.” James noted this past summer was the stretch run for Kyle. “He’s played competitive ball since he left Dixie Youth at 10 years old,” James recalled. “The process of submitting applications to all the schools. We toured Henderson State and the University of West Florida. At the end of the day, we went to CBU. He pretty much knew that’s where he wanted to be.” Kyle has a senior year ahead of him with goals of reaching State with his Cougar teammates. After his last game in the maroon and gold, he will be heading to Memphis to wear the red and black of the Bucs. “He’s happy,” Alisia said. “That’s the main thing and he’s going to be close to home.”
“We will continue to see a lot of baseball,” James concluded. “That’s very good to know you can watch your son play and watch him continue his career playing the sport he loves.”
