A Double Dose Of Martin

There are a select few who get the chance to play baseball at the Legion level in Montana, and in Missoula it is even harder with a single Legion program in the city. For one family there are two boys who take to the baseball diamond together in the hot Montana summer beating the odds and finding success on their own.

James Martin started his career at a young age being coached by his father, work hard as a youngster played his way onto the Missoula Mavericks, and through mentor-ship by Mavs manager Brent Hathaway worked his way onto the MCC baseball program. Pioneers manager Jeff Brabant noticed James’ consistency from the start and a quick flushing system to shake off the last play. Coach Brabant talks about James’ play on the field, “James is a guy who loves extra work and is in our indoor facility outside of practice, usually bringing teammates with him.”

Thomas is the younger of the two Martin boys and he is making a name for himself at the American Legion Baseball level as he would start the season as a pitcher for the Mavericks at the A level. Thomas was called up to the AA level on Memorial Day, joining his older brother for the first time since little league. From the start Thomas was effective the Mavericks, and earned his first win as a starter in front of the Maverick home crowd. James reflects on playing with his brother for the last season, “There is nothing like spending your last year as a Maverick along side your brother, there are very few who can say that and I get the honor to do so.”

The Martin boys have been coached, taught, and mentored by their father Charlie in a variety of aspects that have shaped the boys into the young men they are today. All three men spending time together in nature hunting and fishing, allowing them to grow into the distinct individuals they are while learning from the trials baseball has given them. Thomas talks about an aspect of life Charlie has taught him, “One of the most important things my dad has taught me is that you can’t always succeed, that goes for life and baseball because I know that I can not always win or succeed, but to analyze where I went wrong and how I can fix it to better myself.”

For the Martin boys it has been a special summer of baseball where they have been challenged on the field, celebrated success in overcoming challenges through the game of baseball, and played in some of the top stages a Legion baseball player can play in. Sports teach young athletes many aspects of life, for James it is his hard work ethic and high expectations of himself from working with his Mavericks coach Brent Hathaway. The aspect of life that Thomas learned from playing baseball came from his older brother, and that would be not to dwell on the past, “James has always told me you have be ready for the next play and to not focus on the play before, that works in life, you can’t dwell on the past because you can’t focus on the future.”

Charlie and Kim Martin where blessed with two boys who they have shaped into considerate respectful young men who understand the importance of family and nature. The Martins have allowed the community to get to know James and Thomas by letting James and Thomas to follow their dreams, and in the process the boys have learned hard life lesson that have shaped them into who they are today.