As he exits the dugout and strides toward the plate with a bat in his hand, Glynn Academy junior Austin Franks looks out over the diamond to see if there are any runners on base. If so, does he bunt or try to drive a hit to the opposite field? If not, does he hit away or wait for a four-ball pass?
“I look to reach base any way possible to help my team win,” he said.
Improvement started at home for this month’s most improved player, and commitment has been the key to getting there. Franks, an outfielder and occasional pitcher for the Red Terrors baseball team, is part of the group that has jumped out to a 7-0 record to start the season under first-year head coach Greg Roberts.
“Austin has worked as hard as anybody in the program to become a better baseball player in the weight room and on the field,” Coach Roberts said.
Franks admits that hitting is his favorite part of the game. He is drawn by the adrenaline rush of standing in the batter’s box facing down a pitcher. He is driven to reach base, even if it is a walk. He prefers getting a solid hit, and coaches have noted improvement in his ability to control the bat and overall ability to drive the ball.
He believes playing on a weak middle school team built his drive and determination to win at the high school level. He would often have to carry the team by himself.
“High school baseball is very different,” Franks said. It is competitive, and it takes everyone on the team participating to make the team successful.”
He also says his father helped by coaching and motivating him his whole life. Franks has been involved in sports since he was able to walk. He played T-ball and continued into baseball. He continued playing in middle school and joined the Terrors as a freshman.
Although he was a solid player, even as a freshman, he knew there was room for improvement. He committed himself 100 percent to the game in hopes of pursuing a career in baseball. He attended every practice and training session and worked hard to show the coaches that the game was important to him.
“To be good at something you have to put forth effort and time,” he said. “It just doesn’t take a couple of days to 
excel at a sport. You have to put hard work and dedication into whatever you are doing.“
Since then, he has continued to improve, especially on defense, where it takes repetition to improve your on-field skills.
“Baseball is my life,” he said. “During the off season I continue to train hard and I am always looking for ways to improve every aspect of my game.”
His work in the outfield has noticeably improved. He tracks the ball off the bat well, and his arm strength since the early fall has increased dramatically.
“He can throw the baseball at least 100 yards for all I know,” said Red Terrors teammate Garrison Hurd. “He has a cannon.”
Franks got his first big play during a home game against geographic rival, the Wayne County Yellow Jackets. The bases were loaded with one out, and Franks was playing right field. The batter hit a fly ball to Franks, which he caught for the second out. He then threw the ball all the way to home plate and caught the runner trying to tag and score from third for the third out of the inning.
“This play ended the inning and was a big momentum change in the game,” he said.
His most memorable game was last year’s game against cross-town archrival Brunswick High School.
“There was a lot of tension in the air and everyone was up on their feet,” he said. “It was one of the most intense games I have played in.”
The Terrors beat the Pirates 4-1 that night.
“It was one of the best feelings,” he said. “It always feels good to beat Brunswick High.”
When he is not at school or practice, Franks works at Grandy’s, a popular restaurant in Brunswick.
“I like to hunt and fish,” he said. “I go hunting with my dad and two older brothers, Wesley and Garrett. We have a boat and go salt water fishing.”
He also likes to hang out with family and friends and hitting the beach during the summer. His dream is to one day receive a college baseball scholarship and major in civil engineering. “Austin comes to practice every day and tries to get better,” Coach Robertson said. “He does everything that is asked of him in the classroom, community, and on the ball field.”
SE-MI-0315-Franks
Most Improved
Austin Franks
Glynn Academy
By Rob Asbell
