Old Dog Learning New Tricks

Ask any young man that has ever worn the navy and white of the Missoula Mavericks American Legion baseball team what it means to be a Maverick and they will tell you it is special and there is no better organization in American Legion baseball. For one former Maverick player it has become a new way to view the game.

Jakob Bierig has made the transition from player to coach in the 2017 season as he prepares for the next chapter of his life. Bierig has been a Mav for five years, two on the A squad and three on the AA squad and was part of the most solid center field in the state in 2016 partnering with long time friend James Martin. In addition to helping the Mavericks become the number one team in the league in 2016, Jakob was part of the 2014 Championship team and holds the Mavericks record for the most sacrifice bunts.

The new assistant Mavericks B squad coach has been a long time friend of his former infield counter part James Martin. Martin and Bierig have a special relationship that extends outside the lines of the baseball field and Martin thinks of highly of Bierig as a coach. Though they are close friends Martin keeps the relationship professional when it comes to practice, “We still hang out and go do stuff after games, but when he is here I give him the respect he deserves.” When asked to describe Jakob, James gave a slight smile and said that he is an interesting character and has a lot of great qualities that he likes about him.

Jakob’s long time leader and coach Brent Hathaway has been mentoring young people in the Missoula Valley for 34 years on the baseball diamond and in the classroom as a teacher. As the boys work their way through Hathaway’s program he helps them transition into young men of honor and integrity. With young Bierig as an assistant coach Hathaway knows that his program will be in good hands to help prepare the youngest of the Mavericks for their future in the organization. Coach Hathaway talks about Jakob’s internship as a Missoula Maverick Assistant coach, “He’s knowledgeable about the areas he has played, specifically infield and he did some pitching. You’re always in a position to learn and expand your knowledge and he is doing that right now.” In addition to leading players Bierig is also learning the ropes of working with parents and none player baseball situations that he has never dealt with before.

For Jakob it is a new way to continue on the Mavericks tradition and admits the hardest part of sticking around is not being able to throw a glove on and run out on the field to help his former players. The majority of the veteran players on the 2017 AA squad are long time friends who Bierig has gone to battle with time and again. Making the transition was more than just being part of the organization, Jakob wanted to gain baseball knowledge from a different perspective. Though it is a learning experience, Bierig talks about the challenge of being a first time coach, ” It’s really hard to tell the players what to do and have them understand how to do it.”

Jakob will head off to school this fall when the season ends and prepare to start the next stage in his life as he will head to Miles City and control the center infield for the Pioneers with his long time friend James Martin. Bierig looks to study wildlife biology while attending Miles City Community College. Whether on the diamond or in the classroom Coach Hathaway knows Bierig will succeed, “You can tell that there is a burning desire with him to get better and to be the best no matter what.”