It has been quite a year for the Glines brothers: Jackson, Harley, and McKay. All three just finished an outstanding year in baseball. Getting there wasn't easy. It took a lot of hard work. Hard work is a trait with the Glines family.

Harley, a senior at Yosemite High School, was simply the best catcher in the talented North Sequoia League. He led the Badgers with a .397 batting average. Harley played amazing defense and threw out most base runners foolish enough trying to steal.

"Harley had a great year," said coach John McMillen. "He got better as the year went on. It was tough coming off his football injury, but he battled through it. Playing catcher is the most difficult position on the field and he did a great job."

It has been an especially rewarding baseball season for Harley battling one of his toughest challenges of his life in overcoming a severe ankle injury while quarterbacking the Badger football team. It happened against eventual state champion Washington Union. The injury ended his season and the recovery prognosis was not good.

"It was scary and a shock," Harley said. "I was more hurt not being there for my teammates. We had such a great game plan against Union."

It was now time for rehab mode.

"I learned a lot in rehab," said Harley. "I don't take too many things for granted anymore, especially playing sports. Just doing very basic things was hard. I kept working though it and I think I am a stronger person for it. It feels great to be playing again."

Had Harley been healthy, he had planned on playing basketball as well.

McKay also was a multi-sport athlete. McKay, a junior, played forward for the YHS basketball team and played second and third base and was a relief pitcher in baseball.

McKay ended up batting .288 (19-for-66) with three doubles and two triples on the season. He appeared in five games in relief and had six strikeouts. McKay and Harley were both key components in the Badger baseball season. Between them, they played five different positions.

Although the Badgers didn't make the playoffs, they played a difficult schedule and all their NSL games were close.

Older brother Jackson, a freshman outfielder for Fresno City just finished an outstanding season.

Jackson, a lead off hitter, batted .393, was selected to the all Central Valley Conference Team, and helped lead the Rams (29-13) to a NorCal playoff berth. The Rams lost to Sierra College 10-6 after giving up four runs in the top of the 11th inning, just missing the state championships. Jackson had 29 RBIs, 14 stolen bases and 48 runs scored on the season, which ranked him No. 4 in the state in that category.

He had a great tournament at the Northern California Super Regional finals in Quincy. In a 5-4 loss to Sierra, Jackson hit a double and scored two runs. Against Merced Junior College only 40 minutes after the Sierra game, he went 4-for-5 with three triples, five RBIs and scored two runs in a 13-10 win for FCC. In the final game against Sierra, he went 3-for-5 with an RBI and scored a run.

If you were to combine the batting average of Jackson, Harley and McKay it would be .360. All three brothers were critical pieces of their teams' success.

Harley credits the brother's success to their family. Parents Victoria and Tim were key influences.

"My dad was a big inspiration to us," said Harley.

Tim was from a baseball family and was coached by his uncle at Central Catholic in Modesto. Tim was drafted by the Mets as a catcher. He went on to play at College of the Sequoias and Fresno State.

Harley also credits former Badger Corey Miller for instilling his competitiveness.

The day doesn't usually end with baseball practice, according to Harley. "Once we get home, we eat dinner and usually hit in our batting cage dad set up," said Harley. "It is something we do most everyday. We are always trying to get better."

With Jackson playing at FCC he is certain to find a great school to finish his collegiate career. Playing for Fresno City can pretty much guarantee it. Head Coach Ron Scott puts an amazing amount of players either to four year schools or the minor leagues, which could be in the cards for Jackson.

Harley is definitely going to play in college but where has not been determined. With McKay improving each year, we should see all three Glines brothers playing in college soon.