When Wayne State University Baseball Coach Jay Alexander began recruiting the city of Detroit a couple of years ago, he saw potential in a young man playing for Mumford High School – Tony Hines.

Unfortunately, Alexander also saw some flaws in Hines’ attitude and approach to the game. However, those were things Alexander thought could be straightened out before Hines made the jump to the college game.

“He had some bad things he brought to the table,” Alexander said. “He had to change his work ethic and mind set.

“During a high school game, I saw him walk off the field instead of hustling off the field. What he did was good for the PSL, but not for the college game. In other words, it wasn’t good for the next level.”

Hines didn’t play at the collegiate level when he graduated from Mumford in 2004; he took Alexander’s advice and played at the junior level at Macomb Community College where he could hone his skills, attitude and work ethic.

“Playing at Macomb CC taught me a huge lesson,” Hines said. “Coming out of the PSL into the junior college game was quite an adjustment physically and mentally. It was another adjustment and process I had to go through.

“Baseball in the PSL was questionable, but (current Renaissance Coach) Leon McKissic, who coached the Southfield Padres travel team (in the summer), also helped me. I played with guys who wanted to get better and it gave me the opportunity to play against squads who were as good as us.”

Playing with McKissic and the Padres and then playing at Macomb CC paid off for Hines. In his first year at Macomb CC, he batted .273 with six home runs, 10 doubles, 21 runs batted in and 24 runs scored. The following year, he played in all 50 games and batted .355 (second on the team) with 12 home runs, 41 RBI (first on the team), 13 doubles, and 43 runs. He was a Michigan Community College Athletic Conference first-team selection.

At Wayne State, Hines is having similar success. He was 3-for-8 with two runs and four RBI in a doubleheader against the University of Toledo on April 3. And against Hillsdale on April 1, he had three hits and scored three runs as the Warriors swept the Chargers, 3-1 and 13-3.

His best performance was against Findlay, where WSU swept the Oilers, 11-3 and 4-1. In game one, Hines hit two home runs, scored twice and batted in four runs. In the second game, he went 2-for-3 with a double and a run.

The Warriors (18-10 overall, 7-3 GLIAC) are currently in third place in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“My role on the team is to drive in runs and be a leader offensively and defensively as a center fielder,” Hines said. “I’m working on my hitting and preparing myself for the whole season.”

Alexander said Hines now has a good work ethic and is making progress everyday.

“He worked out in the weight room and is making practice on time,” Alexander said. “He has changed his whole perspective for the better.”