- April 18, 2024
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It is common for athletes to play multiple sports throughout the year while in high school, with hopes of staying in shape for their dominant sport. And then there’s Flagler Palm Coast Bulldog Tyrese Gaines, who also competes in two sports -- baseball and track…at the same time.
On any given day, Gaines will get out of class, head to the track to practice, and then he will run over to the baseball field for practice. On other days, he may have to run in a track meet, and afterward, head to baseball practice. Then, there are those days where he will have a track meet and baseball game on the same day.
“A week for me is horrible,” Gaines said. “I usually have a few games and a meet, and my legs be killing me, but it's for the love of it all. It's hard though, because I want to be able to get better at both all the time, but there's sacrifices you have to make for the good of the team, and baseball has been there for me all four years. And, I can't just leave my teammates.”
Head baseball coach Jordan Butler granted his senior outfielder permission to run track in the fall, but Gaines suffered an ankle injury during Christmas, which sidelined him for two months. Now, back on the track, he says he’s having the time of his life running.
“I feel like I have a God-given gift,” Gaines said, “and, for me to not use would just be a waste.”
His teammates also appreciate his talent. Fellow outfielder, Nick Zipf says about Gaines’ running ability, “It's a good feeling when you know you have someone who can track down fly balls with his speed in the outfield.”
Pull quote: “A week for me is horrible. I usually have a few games and a (track) meet, so my legs be killing me, but it's for the love of it all.”
TYRESE GAINES
Gaines hopes he will one day run into a professional career that will allow him to pay back his mother, Toy Kirkwood, and a career that will make Butler proud of the four years he’s poured into him.
“My mom has worked so hard her entire life to provide for me and my sister and I have so much love for her,” he said. “Also, coach Butler has taught me so many things that I will never forget, and he is like another dad to me. He has been a big part of my life in high school, and I love him so much.”
