Christian Lienesch of Rockford High School is entering his senior season with 3 years of varsity experience which means he will be a rare four year varsity player at the traditional OK Red powerhouse.

The fleet-footed center fielder batted second in the Rams lineup in 2010 and stole 17 bases.

Lienesch trained with Bob Simonson of Power Baseball and Softball in Rockford, who played nine years of professional baseball.

“Christian is a young man with a lot of talent” says Simonson. “He’s a hard worker, and good listener and great kid.”

“I have been teaching hitting for 17 years and Christian has some of the quickest hands I’ve seen, including at the professional level.”

His quick hands are apparent in his career batting average of .435 in high school.

For his hard work, Lienesch was All-Conference and All-District as a sophomore and All-Conference as a junior.

“This will be Christian’s fourth year winning his varsity letter” says Rockford Head Coach Ian Hearn.

“He is a hard worker and he is also very passionate about baseball. Those attributes are displayed in his performance.”

Coach Hearn continues: “Christian has been an outstanding performer for the Rams. We are excited to have him returning for this upcoming season.”

While no decision has been made on a college, Lienesch plans to play at the next level.

But first, he has a senior season at Rockford to look forward to – and hopes to bring an OK Red Championship back to the Rams (who won it in 2009 with the help of Lienesch’s diving, game saving catch against Hudsonville).

With Lienesch and West Michigan High School Baseball “2011 “Player to Watch” Bryan Baldwin leading the team, the Rams look to be a top team again in 2011.