BASEBALL BARBERSHOP: Wins wager leads to new look for Palmer legion coach

PALMER — Typically it’s stress that could lead to hair-loss for a coach. But for Tim Rockey, it’s success.

Rockey, head coach of the Palmer Pioneers American Legion program, started the summer with a full head of hair, and even thicker beard. But the young skipper is sporting a different look these days.

Rockey is as bald as a baseball after making good on a pair of promises he made to his players in his third-year program prior to the start of the 2017 summer season. Rockey, a second-year head coach, told his players if Palmer hit five wins, one better than last year, they could shave his head. But with 10 wins, they could shave a beard he’s worn since 2013.

In early July, following a win over Fairbanks, Rockey’s head was shaved. Earlier this week, the Pioneers hit the second benchmark, scoring their 10th win with an 11-2 victory during the Matson Invitational postseason tournament at Bartlett High School in Anchorage.

The beard is now gone too.

Rockey summed up the strategy with one word.

“Motivation,” Rockey said.

Rockey and his assistants, Alan Shults and Adam Christiansen, have worked to build the young program, added when Alaska American Legion expanded prior to the 2015 season. Last year, there were stretches in which the coaching staff struggled to fill out a lineup card. The Pioneers managed to piece together four wins.

This year, participation was not only better, but more consistent, Rockey said.

“The whole goal is to improve,” Rockey said.

And even with the improvement, Rockey said he wanted to give his squad something more to play for.

“Just something to keep it light, keep them motivated,” Rockey said.

As the season progressed, and started to become a grind, Rockey said he’d remind his players about their bonus. It didn’t take long before the players were counting down the number of wins needed before they could pull out the razor.

“Anything to get the kids to play harder,” Rockey said.

Overall, Rockey said he’s excited about the progress of his program. All but one player on the squad are eligible to return last year. Palmer also has young players to build with. Rockey said a pair of eighth graders were regulars on the starting lineup late in the season.

“As the kids continue to learn, I continue to learn,” Rockey said. “We improved so much between last year and this year. The attitude of the kids, the way they showed up to play, I’m overjoyed at home they came together as a group this year.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.