Linton-Stockton baseball head coach Bart Berns (left) poses with the Miners baseball 2008 Hall of Fame inductees (from left) Nate Austin, Blaine Gillan and Brent Anderson. (By Travis David/Greene County Daily World).

It would be hard to find a more dedicated athlete, fan or coach than Linton-Stockton baseball coach Bart Berns. Ask anyone associated with Miner baseball over the years what is the first thing that comes to mind when asked about the team and coach Berns would be the most popular answer.

This year is the 18th season Berns has been the head man of the Miners baseball team. The veteran coach is nine wins shy of 300 wins for the Miners, against only 164 loses. Berns' teams have amassed six Tri-River Conference titles, four Southwestern Indiana Athletic Conference titles and two sectional championships.

Berns is also responsible for establishing a Hall of Fame to enshrine deserving players who have worn the Miners baseball uniform. The first HOF class was inducted in 2004, which included Tom Wall, Dick Fields, Paul Oliphant, Roy Herndon and the 1967 Sectional championship team. After the 2008 class which consisted of Brent Anderson, Blaine Gillan and Nate Austin, the number of members is 19 and includes two sectional championship teams. In addition to the HOF ceremonies each year, past players gather at Roy Herndon Field to participate in an alumni game and also a home run derby following.

What inspired the decorated coach to come up with the idea of starting the HOF and all the ceremonies? A magazine article.

"I came up with the idea back in 2000 or 2001 from a magazine article," Berns said. "This is something that I have wanted to create to go along with the tradition that we have started here since 1991 (Berns first season as head coach). And it's just a great way to try and honor the former players and give them something to look forward to coming back to every season."

The man in charge mentioned that this years HOF class is a special one to him because all three members were players of Berns.

"I would have to say this is a special meaning to me because I coached all three of these guys. And not to take away from any other class but it would be hard to beat this class with having the first two ever Indiana South All-Stars (Gillan and Austin) from Linton. And Anderson, he meant a lot to this program and has experienced success in everything he has done."

Berns may not be the most liked person around the area, with his philosophies and his passion for the game, but make no mistake he is very well respected by players, former and present, opposing players and coaches as well. Berns seeks perfection, and strives to bring out the best in every athlete he comes across.

Playing for the animated coach is more than just learning the game of baseball. Life-long lessons can be taught by Berns and his love of the game is as fine tuned as you will ever see.

The Wisconsin native credits his parents for instilling the hard work and dedication in him that he has become today.

"I had four different coaches in high school so there was never really any stability there so my parents was always there to encourage me to put the time and effort into everything I did. My dad told me 'anything you start, you finish'. Baseball is a passion for me, its not a job."

And the passion from Berns is not just on game day. For as much time the veteran coach spends preparing his team for their next opponent, the coach spends twice as much time working on the field. After each game, win or lose, the first thing Berns does after their team meeting is address the field. Whether it be a rake or broom in his hand, or sitting on the green and yellow John Deere lawn mower dragging the field, Berns is always getting the field ready for the next day.

With as much time and effort Berns puts into the field, one would find it hard to believe that he does not have a cot or some type of sleeping arrangements in the press box or somewhere close to the field.

Berns mentioned that when he first arrived at Linton, the field was not in the best playing condition as he made it a personal goal to establish one of the finest playing fields around. The Miners will host the Class 2A sectional later this month.

"It's nice to hear some of the guys from year's past to come to these alumni games and talk about how great the field is and how they wish they could have played on that nice of a field," Berns said. "And it's always nice when teams like Bloomington North and South come here and compliment you on the field."

Berns said that he believes that a good appearance goes a long ways as well. Each player has their own baseball bag and the team is always dressed in professional attire to compliment their field.

A former Chicago Bear player has the motto: "When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good you play good." And with the number of wins and titles Berns' teams have compiled it goes without saying the Miners have played pretty good over the course of 18 seasons.

For the past five seasons there is only one game each spring that Berns can be spotted sitting next to the dugout with a constant smile on his face and not barking orders to his players or encouraging the team. And that game is the annual alumni game.

"That's what this is all about, is to just be able to sit on the bucket by the dugout and listen to all the former players talk about this game or that game from this year and that year," Berns said. "It's all about the memories and the players getting together and stepping back on the field and having fun. Some of the players look forward to this day each season, and that's what makes this day so special."

Even though Berns is not a graduate from Linton-Stockton, one can only believe that once the veteran coach decides to hang it up from coaching that he too will be inducted into the Miners Hall of Fame.