Boatner celebrates 800th victory

By By Carver Rayburn / staff writer
April 22, 2003
The overachiever has reached a new milestone.
Veteran West Lauderdale baseball coach Jerry Boatner earned his 800th career victory in a 6-1 win over Franklin County in the first round of the 3A state playoffs this past weekend.
To go along with a state record 10 state titles, Boatner ranks second in the state of Mississippi in the overall win category and fifth in the nation.
So the question is, when is a person satisfied with their accomplishments? With Boatner, the answer is simple.
The legendary skipper is not a fisherman or a hunter. He doesn't like to play golf or tennis. He is simply, the coach. The coach said that retirement is something that has no future in his vocabulary.
Boatner got his start back in the 1950's as a baseball player in the Babe Ruth League at Highland Park. What happened one summer afternoon at Highland Park is what Boatner claims gave him his motivation and love for the game.
According to Boatner, setting goals is what has made him so motivated in coaching high school baseball year in and year out.
What' s next? Boatner says that he still sets goals for himself.
If the West Lauderdale Knights continue their tradition of winning games it should take about nine more years for Boatner to break the "K" barrier.
Boatner will continue the quest for state title number 11 and win number 801 this weekend in second round action against Greene County.