Hall of Fame
Kenneth N. Harring, Jr. ’89 – Class of 2001
Making contact…
It is impossible to hit a baseball that is traveling at 90 miles an hour and breaking sharply unless you believe you can hit a baseball traveling at 90 miles an hour that is breaking sharply.
He was the heart of a potent Dolphin offense. He reached base in 48 percent of his plate appearances, and came around to score almost one-third of the time.
He hit with authority. A slugging percentage of .607, punctuated by 23 home runs, documents his power.
He tormented opponents’ catchers. Only four times in 55 attempts were they able to prevent him from stealing a base.
He played solid defense. He had tremendous range from his position at second base and excelled at turning the double play.
He made contact. In 133 games wearing green and gold he struck out only 17 times. In 1988 he led the nation with the lowest percentage of strikeouts per plate appearance.
He expected to win. “Why would you think we can’t beat Arizona State?” he once asked a skeptical reporter before the Dolphins upset the Sun Devils. Down by 13 runs and only six outs from elimination in their first Division I NCAA appearance, he asked his coach about pitching matchups for Dolphin’s next game. Then used his bat to make sure there was a next game.
He won. He was at the heart of Dolphin teams that compiled a record of 108 wins against only 25 losses and made four consecutive post-season appearances. He was selected to three post-season all-tournament teams, was placed on all-conference teams three times, was drafted by the Atlanta Braves and played two years of professional baseball.
And he continues to win. As batting instructor at Northeastern University he helped his players set seven school records as they made three straight post-season appearances; and he led his team to the Cape Cod League Championship in 1999.
And he continues to make contact. His ability to consistently connect with a baseball is mirrored by his ability to connect with young players, convincing them that they can succeed and giving them the tools to do so.
Today, as head baseball coach at St. Anselm’s College, he brings to his players the same infectious confidence that made him a linchpin in the Dolphin’s ascendancy to legitimacy in Division I baseball. He is successfully fulfilling his life-long ambition to coach baseball, employing his aptitude to instill confidence and his capacity to communicate technique in a manner that enhances natural skill.
For his ability to make contact, with a baseball and with those he coaches,
Kenneth N. Harring, Jr. ’89, is inducted to the
Le Moyne College Athletic Hall of Fame
February 10, 2001
