Jim Senske gets win 700

By JIM BASTIAN

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm High School baseball coach Jim Senske put himself in an elite class Friday night when his Eagle baseball team topped Park Center 5-1 in the first game of the New Ulm Invitational Baseball Tournament.

The win was the 700th of Senske's career -- a plateau never before reached by a Minnesota high school baseball coach.

But Senske, who is in his 40th year at the helm of the Eagles, said that the accomplishment "was just a number. The most important thing, as I have said all week, is that I have been here 40 years, which says that we have had a successful program and when you coach as long as I have you should have some wins. We have had a great baseball community -- our kids are super and love the game of baseball. Plus we have had great community support and support from the parents of the players. I have also had a good coaching staff over the years. But perhaps the credit for this should go to New Ulm.

"There are a lot of people who spend a lot of time in the summer raising funds -- the American Legion Post here -- the credit for this needs to be shared -- it needs to go around to the entire community."

Last year, Senske won the Class 3-A title and entered this season with 687 wins.

Did being so close to the 700 win mark play a role in his returning for his 40th season?

'I maybe thought about that a little bit but I also felt that 40 years is long enough -- that is what I was looking at -- and it is time that I spend more time in my winter home in Texas where I don't have to come home in the spring."

But Senske also felt some sorrow that next season, he will not be coaching the New Ulm Eagles.

"I am going to miss it -- it will be real emotional for me when our last game is played and you have to walk away from something that you love."