CHATSWORTH, Ga. — It’s a different vantage point for North Murray High School senior Waylyn James, who approached the season as the Mountaineers’ potential pitching ace.

He no longer looks down off the mound he’s grown so comfortable standing atop, shaking off his catcher’s signs and trying to outsmart batters. Instead he stands, hands on his knees, eyes squinted under the brim of his black helmet, looking over the opposing first baseman’s shoulder, searching for clues as North Murray’s first base coach.

James felt a sharp pain in his elbow while throwing during a travel baseball game this past the summer. He recently had Tommy John surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his pitching arm, ending his playing career at North Murray.

“Sitting here watching, it isn’t fun,” James said. “I’d give anything to be out there playing with them right now. But coaching and helping coach (Preston) Poag, it makes you look at the game a whole lot differently with a different perspective. Much more studying.”

After playing through the pain in the Mountaineers’ first 10 games — in a primarily non-throwing capacity, mostly playing first base — James is rehabbing after his March 13 surgery and has a new role with the team.

“Waylyn’s gonna be a good coach,” said Poag, who suggested to James that he give coaching a try. “He’s played a lot of baseball and knows baseball, so I switched things up and put him on first. We miss him playing, but at least he can stay in the game. He shows up every day to practice and is still a big part of the team.”

James, who was also a member of the school’s football and basketball teams, played center field and pitched in 2017. He was also the leadoff hitter and hit three home runs with 24 RBIs.

It’s different, no question. He’s no longer in the thick of the action, but “coach” James enjoys the opportunity to remain with the team and help the Mountaineers (5-15, 2-8 Region 6-3A) make a playoff push.

“Now that I can’t throw, (coach Poag) is giving me opportunities to get ready,” James said. “I’m loving it. I just like being out here with the guys and being a part of it somehow.”

The new role comes with its learning curves, but with years of experience playing the sport, he brings plenty of expertise. James has been a four-year starter for North Murray as well as playing travel ball with Exposure Baseball.

Rather than looking for keys, trends and tips to use in his own at-bats or base running, he spends the majority of the game looking for ways he can help his team get the upper hand. Things like when to take off on a steal or what pitches the opposition likes to throw at certain times.

He has the ability to pick up on the minor details and relay them to his teammates.

“I make sure no one gets in run downs and keep everyone into the game and paying attention,” James said. “Make sure they don’t get lost on the bases and have smart base running. I’ve played baseball my whole life and that’s what I’m doing in college, so I know the game pretty well. It helps me have an edge up. Knowing the game takes you a lot further when you’re coaching.”

Playing with the team for four years, James has a tight-knit relationship with the group and knows them well. For his teammates, having that familiar face and high five waiting for them at first base has been a pleasant change.

“It’s fun for the guys, we like having him over there,” senior pitcher Preston Buck said. “It’s nice having one of our good friends over there. It’s good having somebody that knows how we are and knows how fast we are and knows how big of leads we can get. He knows the game really well and I couldn’t ask for a better first base coach.”

Currently signed to play baseball at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky., James doesn’t know yet how his arm will respond to the surgery, which worries him to a degree. But he’s confident he will return stronger and quickly get back to his old ways. It usually takes a pitcher a full year to return after Tommy John surgery

Until then, he will continue to welcome base runners at first base and enjoy the opportunity he’s been given.

“It’s been a humbling experience,” James said. “It makes you really think you need to take the chances you got because you never know when you’re gonna get hurt. I’ve never been in this position before. I’m always playing or doing something involved in the game, but watching it from the stands in a way, it’s hard to watch. But it’s fun watching the guys on the team I grew up with do well and help them out any way I can.”