Matt Farkas: Kellogg's Miner

Matt Farkas is a stranger in a (sort of) foreign land.

The Wallace junior decided to not run track after two seasons and instead he joined two other Miner athletes on the Kellogg High School baseball team.

The team operates as a cooperative between Kellogg, Wallace, and Mullan which allows the schools without a specific team (Wallace and Mullan and baseball in this example) to play for the school that does.

Farkas had played baseball for most of his life until high school when he made the decision to stay with his classmates and run track.

“I was a pretty good distance runner,” Farkas said. “It was fun, but I would rather play baseball.”

Unlike the days of old where students from the schools of the area mixed like oil and water, today the kids in the Valley maintain several relationships with one another, forged by common interests, competition, and family.

“I get along with a lot of the Kellogg guys,” Farkas said. “We are around each other all the time, so it really isn’t a big deal to be playing with them.”

Farkas, who has made a name for himself as Swiss Army Knife in every sport he plays, is no different for baseball as he can play every infield position possible, including pitcher.

“Usually I just play the position left open by whoever is scheduled to pitch,” Farkas said.

KHS baseball head coach Ed Chilgren is also a Wallace native, but his familiarity with Farkas goes back further than nearly everyone who is currently on the team.

“Coach Chilgren has been my coach for a while now, he coached me in AAU basketball for a few years,” Farkas said, “I think once the entire team gets comfortable with coach’s style we are going to see some success.”

It’s been a tough go for the team so far, but Farkas is confident that they’ll get on the right track sooner.

Baseball has been on the decline here in Shoshone County, which is kind of a bummer for Farkas, who would love to play baseball for his hometown.

“I wish Wallace had a team of their own,” Farkas said. “It would be nice to play baseball as a Miner, but unless we get like a million people here that isn’t going to happen. But I am excited to be able to have the chance to play, no matter where it is.”

As for being a Wallace Miner putting on the Wildcat purple and gold, Farkas was his usual cool self.

“It’s just a jersey,” Farkas said. “I’m here to win.”

He should fit right in.