Freed-Hardeman University plucked a gem when Forrest’s Max Kirby recently signed a Letter of Intent to play baseball next season for the Lions.

“It is a big relief,” Kirby said. “I have been working since I was five years old to play college ball.”

“I am glad I found a great program that is my willing to take me.”

Kirby is adding his name to the long tradition of versatile athletes at Chapel Hill, playing on Forrest middle school teams that won Duck River Valley Conference titles in baseball, football, and basketball before concentrating on baseball and football in high school.

“I am being recruited to play third base and outfield,” Kirby said. “I am comfortable playing almost anywhere on the field just from always playing in multiple positions growing up.”

Kirby was recently named to the 2020-2021 All-Region 5-AA football team as the Most Valuable Player (Offensive Back) after garnering an All-Region honor last season as well.

With Kirby behind center the last two years, Forrest posted a 19-6 record with one region title as the starting quarterback on the 2019 squad that went 10-0 in the regular season to tie a school record before winning two playoff games to smash the mark.

After a controversial loss to Decatur County Riverside in the state quarterfinals, the Rockets posted a 7-5 record this season and almost won back-to-back region crowns, losing 7-0 at Lewis County in the regular season finale.

Forrest blasted East Hickman 28-7 in round one of the playoffs before Kirby’s football career at Chapel Hill ended with a 37-14 loss at Waverly in the second round.

In his Forrest career at quarterback, Kirby went 94-for-168 for 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions. Kirby also rushed for seven touchdowns.

Like all the athletes in Tennessee and around the country, Kirby’s 2020 baseball campaign was cut short after the season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Max has been a consistent starter for the baseball team since he was sophomore and even played some significant innings for us when he was a freshman,” Forrest baseball coach Andy Burkett said. “Athletically, he is very gifted...can play a multitude of positions if necessary, both infield and outfield, and also has a very steady arm on the mound as well.”

Kirby played sparingly as a freshman before being named to the All-District Baseball Team as a sophomore second baseman and batted .289 with 18 RBIs, 26 runs scored, 20 walks, four doubles, three triples, two home runs, and a .413 on base percentage in 2019.

“He has a veteran approach at the plate; very rarely does he fail to put the ball in play, and consistently leads the team in on-base percentage,” Burkett said. “The thing I'm most impressed with has been his work ethic in the gym.”

“He's consistently one of those guys pushing himself, pushing his teammates and even pushing me to keep going further in strength training. Because of this, I've seen his power numbers surge, and I think he's due for a really impactful senior season that will be the catalyst for his career at Freed-Hardeman.”

The Rockets went 19-16-1 and advanced all the way to the Class 2A state championship game where they lost 11-1 to Covington.

“When it comes to being a steady and consistent athlete, Max certainly checks all the boxes of what a coach is looking for in a student athlete,” Burkett said. “In addition to his successes both as a middle infielder and quarterback on the football team, Max has even shown some promise on the mound as well, and we look for him to build upon that this year as both a starting and relief pitcher for us this season.”

Forrest also finished as state runner-ups in the 2006 season.

The Rockets won their first two games last season before the pandemic and Kirby will have his final chance to play in a Rockets uniform when they take the diamond on the Ides of March.

“Forrest baseball has been a blessing,” Kirby said. “Only getting to play two games last year made me upset.”

“Playing in sub-state and state games when I was a sophomore was the most fun I have ever had playing a sport and I am looking forward to another season with my great coaches and teammates.”

Kirby sports a hefty 3.8 GPA at Forrest and intends to study education and coach at the high school or collegiate level.

“One of the main things I ask an athlete when they tell me they want to play college baseball or college golf is what is your GPA and what is your ACT score,” Burkett said. "We harp on these things all the time and it’s awesome to see them come to fruition to a guy like Max.”

“The root of being a student-athlete is first and foremost being an exemplary student in the classroom. Like most things he sets his mind to, Max is very disciplined in the classroom and understands that is one of the key factors that helps contribute to his success.”