Building character and community: Northland Christian baseball coach David Starns
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — David Starns grew up playing baseball. His passion for the game led him to coach youth baseball and club teams in the early 2000s. In 2007, he started the Storm Baseball Club in Smithville, which he ran for a few years. His two younger children attended Northland Christian. And when the school wanted to start a baseball program, they asked Starns if he wanted to help. He agreed to coach and is now in his fifth year coaching the team. In the first year, they had just twelve players out. Even now, with nineteen, everyone on the team will get on the field. This gives underclassmen who keep playing a lot of varsity experience by the time they are seniors.
The Trailblazers compete in Missouri’s Class 1, in District 15 for baseball, and have won district titles in 2022 and 2023. Last season, the team had an impressive 24-6 record. Although Northland Christian is a Class 1 school, they will play any larger schools that schedule them. Last season, they scored a big 3-2 win over much larger Bishop Miege in Roeland Park, Kansas. There is a great thrill in winning big games, but the purpose and drive of this team are much bigger than just wins and losses.
“First and foremost, we are all about the faith. We talk about our faith. That’s the driving factor for us. We incorporate that into playing baseball. It is amazing what we can accomplish when we put the two together. I never would in a million years have imagined we’d be playing at the level we are now, and after just five years from getting started.”
Coach Starns has a phenomenal business background. He started the Starn’s Agency, which is the largest AllState insurance agency in Missouri. He also applies many of the same goal-setting skills from his business to the baseball team.
“I ask the players, what do you want out of the season, out of playing baseball?” Says Starns. “And when they tell me their goals. I let them know they will have to put the time and effort in to reach those goals. They have to buy into the mindset that they will stay focused on accomplishing those actions that will get them to their goals.”
Coach David Starns embodies the spirit of dedication and faith on and off the baseball field. His journey from a passionate baseball player in his youth to a successful coach has transformed the Northland Christian baseball program. With a strong emphasis on character development, he instills in his players the importance of setting academic and athletic goals and committing to achieving them.
Under his guidance, the Trailblazers not only compete fiercely, winning district titles and big games, but also foster a sense of community and purpose. The blend of faith and baseball has created a unique atmosphere that prioritizes growth, teamwork, and resilience. As the team continues to evolve, the foundation laid by Coach Starns ensures that every player gains invaluable experience and life lessons, transcending the game itself.
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