PRAIRIE GROVE -- Senior Isaac Disney has played for two different baseball coaches at Prairie Grove with both having an impact on his approach to the game.
He holds former coach Mitch Cameron, who left after Disney's sophomore season, in high regard, saying, "Mitch Cameron was one of the best coaches I ever had. I only got to have him as my coach for a short amount of time. He just coached us two years," Disney said of his senior class.
Cameron worked with Disney on his hitting as a freshman, taking time to write down for Disney basic fundamentals of hitting and throwing.
"I learned stuff I would have never known," Disney said. "He worked with me on outfield techniques, too, on how to read balls off the bat, footwork and stuff."
Since current Tiger baseball coach Chris Mileham took over the program, he and Disney have also developed a bond.
"We're really close," Disney said, explaining, "On the field, He (Mileham) is a role model and really serious, but off the field he's really laid back. Basically, he's one of your friends."
At least three colleges are interested in having Disney on their baseball roster. He has offers from Coffeeville Community College in Kansas, Central Baptist at Conway and Henderson State, which has told Disney he could play both football and baseball.
Disney has been raised by his grandparents, Randy and Janie Disney, of Prairie Grove, since he was two.
"We adopted him when he was little, we tried to facilitate all the activities and sports," Randy Disney said.
Athletics is a family tradition. Disney's great uncle Jim King played major league baseball for six different professional teams.
"I had family members play in major league baseball, everyone I've been around plays sports, it just kind of runs in our family," Disney said.
Randy Disney said he hates to miss games, but while his wife, Janie Disney, will get out in the cold for football; she isn't as motivated to get out in the heat and has missed some baseball games.
"I bet she missed 35 baseball games, but she never missed a football game," Randy Disney chuckles while adding he tries to make every one of Isaac's games.
Randy Disney will offer Isaac his perspective, but not immediately after a game.
"I try to coach him some, but he pretty well knows what's going on," Randy Disney said. "It might not be the next day but we'll get around to it."
Disney is the Tiger leadoff hitter and a threat once he gets on base because of his speed. As a junior he successfully stole 24 bases in 25 tries and batted .327. While he wants to hit above .300 as a senior, his other goals are also team-oriented.
"We'd like to win the conference and get a Regional and State berth," Disney said.
Spoken like a true team player with a deep, desire to win, carrying on a family tradition.
Sports on 12/28/2016