IASEIALL TEAM. FRONT ROW: Cox, Barber, Fouss, J. Miller, Paul. SECOND ROW, Bailey, E. Miller, Henry, Simpson, Plummer, McAfee. THIRD ROW, J. Berryhi ll, (Asst . Cooch), Stalom, (Mgr.). Green, Jeter, Samanie, Elkins, Harris, Cooch Altman. BASEBALL Hardballers pit determination against opposition A HIT, pilcher Richard Green swings for one of his many hits of the year. In his first year at Harding College Coach Ted Allman found himself fa ced with the task of rebuilding a baseball team largely from freshman and sophomore aspirants who reported for practice in February. Gone from the 1963 team were such outstanding hard bailers as Steve Smith, twice All-AIC catcher, pitchers Joe Spaulding, Jim Watson and Kim Pate, infielders Hommy Carter and Billy Ray Barden, 'and outfielders Jerry Mote, Ken Spillman, Joe Burleson and Ten-y Burton. The 1964 team was built around four returning lettermen: pitcher Richard Green, short-stop Eddie Miller, first baseman Bernie Cox and infielder Don Samanie. Freshman Mike Plummer rapidly developed into the Bison's most effective pitcher and freshman Steve McAfee's catching ability reminded fans of All-AIC Steve Smith. Other newcomers to the team showing real promise for future years were Pete Henry, Johnny Jeter, Gary Simpson , Jimmy Miller, Rob Barber and Dave Fouss. What the team lacked in pose and finesse was compensated for by enthusiasm and hustle. Lacking power at the plate, the 1964 Bison nine relied heavily on welcomed walks, daring base running, and dangerous squeeze plays to push runs across. In conference games the team split double headers with Henderson State, Arkansas A & M and Ouachita and lost double headers to ASTC, Tech and Southern State. 207
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