All right – I’ll admit it. I’m biased.

When I go to Coaches” Stadium, I cheer for Nolan Cork and I shouldn’t be the only one because Nolan Cork’s story is what baseball is all about.

Remember playing catch in the backyard with your father? Baseball is all about tradition and that’s what defines Nolan Cork and his family tree.

Cork is a third-generation baseball player from Flatrock, but his name will always be synonymous with my hometown of Danville. If one looks hard enough in the town laws, it probably says that if your last name is Cork, you’re forced to play America’s pastime. Eastern’s first baseman and team captain is keeping the baseball tradition alive.

It began with Nolan’s grandfather – Manley Cork who attended Katlin High School but didn’t play baseball only because they didn’t offer it. Manley Cork started the Danville tradition on the diamond by playing outfield in an American Legion and Danville Twilight League. As he got older, he ended his career on the diamond as a softball pitcher.

“I enjoy watching Nolan play because he loves it and I just try to get him to calm down,” Manley Cork said.

Manley Cork’s son Brian was groomed for success on the diamond and became a four-year letterman as a starting pitcher at Danville High School.

“There was no pressure from me for him to play,” Manley Cork said. “I just wanted him to have fun.” With help from current community members and Coaches’, Brian Cork got a scholarship to the University of New Orleans and was instrumental in other UNO scouts coming to Danville. Retired major leaguer Gary Gaetti got him to transfer to North West Missouri. Brian Cork played with the former Chicago Cub for the last two years of elegibilty.According to Nolan, his father taught him everything he knows and the Panther infielder had a four-game hitting streak at two points during last season. So Brian obviously did something correct.

“My father loved the game and we just simply love the round ball in this family,” Brian Cork said.

When Nolan was born he was destined with his middle name to be on the mound with a glove on his left hand because Brian and his wife Pamela named him Nolan Ryan Cork.

“Trust me, his mother named him,” Brian Cork said.

However, a problem existed when Nolan loved playing so much wanted to play everyday. (How can you not love

that) At age 13, Nolan put the gear on and became a catcher. With his father as a coach, Nolan became a four-year letterman at Lawrenceville High School.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz offered Nolan a scholarship after he impressed the staff at the plate.

“Nolan was just so advanced when it came to hitting and was further along in the game,” Schmitz said.

Nolan’s parents are at every possible game but Brian simply can’t watch his son.

“I’m starting to realize how difficult for my dad to watch me because I can’t sit still,” Brian Cork said. “I’m constantly pacing back and forth.”

Unfortunately, Nolan is only batting .125 with one home run and one run batted in but is fielding .975. However, Schmitz is convinced that his first baseman will turn it around.

“Nolan is one of those upperclassmen we look for to jump start the offense,” Schmitz said.

At a Eastern home game this season, you may be able to see all of the Cork generations at Coaches’ Stadium and I have no doubt that Nolan will be pacing back and forth at a ballpark in the future.

If you’re lucky enough to talk to Manley, Brian or Nolan, shake their hand because the Cork tradition is exactly what baseball is all about.

Eastern is just lucky enough to be involved with the story.