Seeking a new environment and following God’s calling, junior center fielder Kyle Atkins is hoping his time at Harding will help him on his path to the major leagues.
Atkins transferred from the University of Arkansas to start the 2012 baseball season with the Bisons. He said he felt Harding was the place that best fit what he was looking for in a school.
“Making a move at this point in my career was going to give me the best opportunity to succeed in baseball after college,” Atkins said. “I chose Harding because I wanted to be in a Christian environment. Harding definitely offers a season in my life where I can grow spiritually while I’m still pursuing a career in baseball.”
Atkins decided right before Christmas that he wanted to transfer from the University of Arkansas.
Harding has had a few players transfer from larger Division I schools, but it is not the norm. Head baseball coach Patrick McGaha said he looks forward to the upcoming season as Atkins brings new strengths to the team.
“Kyle is extremely fast,” McGaha said. “He makes our team different because we just don’t have a true speed guy that can cause problems for a defense.Now we do. He obviously has the physical tools to help our team, and we are very excited that he ispart of our program.”
Due to transfer rules, if Atkins had transferred to another D-1 school he would have had to sit out a year, so, because Harding is Division II means he can play in the upcoming season. Atkins said it was a perfect fit.
The DeQueen, Ark., native was a two-year letter winnerat Arkansas.Atkins battled several injuries that limited his playing time there but was able to play in about 50 games in his two seasons as a Razorback.
With his experience from the University of Arkansas and his Christian principles, Atkins will adjust well to Harding, McGaha said.
“Kyle knows how to handle his business both on the field and in the classroom,”McGaha said. “He is a very mature young man who wants to be in a Christian environment and understands that there are many things in life more important than baseball.”
Although Atkins said he loves baseball and his goal is to be drafted into the major leagues, his favorite part about the game is getting to share his faith.
“I love the game for what it is,” Atkins said. “But it’s always given me a pretty big platform to share the gospel.”
Atkins said he didn’t know anyone at Harding before transferring, but took a leap of faith and has influenced his fellow teammates.
“Usually when a D-I player transfers to a lower division, they come in with a cocky attitude,” junior infielder/pitcher Billy Ninemire said. “With Kyle, that wasn’t the case at all. I really couldn’t say enough about him as a ball player, or as a person in general. He is very outgoing, a great leader and extremely talented on the baseball field, but most of all he’s a great Christian guy.”
Atkins said he feels he made the right decision in transferring, and said that he is excited to start the season as a Bison.
“I feel like I will walk away from here with life-long friends, so really I don’t feel like I missed a beat,” Atkins said.
