THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 5, 1995 TAG: 9502030257
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
WITH HIGH HOPES of following in his dad's footsteps, Brian Settle enrolled at Wilson High School for his senior year in September.
He planned to enroll very quietly. Not very many folks were still around the school who probably remembered his father, Robert, was one of the finest high school players in the area when he pitched for the Presidents in the mid-1960s.
Settle was transferring in from Louisiana.
``It was just something my dad and I thought would be pretty neat,'' said the younger Settle. ``He's preparing now to get out of the Marines after a 29-year career and I moved in here with my grandmother to finish up at his old school.''
But Wilson assistant football coach Joe Ladisic saw the 6-foot-5, 183-pounder signing in.
``We can use you on the football team,'' said Ladisic.
``I don't play football,'' responded Settle. ``I'm a baseball player.''
``Great,'' replied Ladisic. ``That's wonderful news.''
Ladisic is the head baseball coach at Wilson.
He directed Settle to fall American Legion baseball and its coach, Robert Jones. Settle won four of five games he pitched for Churchland Post 310 and the word went out quickly that the righthander throws in the 88-89 mph range.
Robert Settle had an arm like that when he pitched for three years at Wilson and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates as the first pick in the second round.
On Robert Settle's 18th birthday he hurled a no-hitter for Salem in the Class AA Carolina League. He had a brief stint in the majors with the Pirates, injuring his arm when the over-the-top thrower tried to develop a slider.
Marriage and the ailing arm prompted Robert to decline a spring training invitation. He joined the reserves and then entered the Marines.
Brian was born in Philadelphia 17 years ago. ``We only lived there about six months,'' he said. ``I really moved around.
``My freshman year I went to high school in Indianapolis. The last two years I lived in Marrero, a little town outside of New Orleans.''
Brian says he ``started out as a junk pitcher. But I was always big and the speed started to come. Now scouts tell me I may even throw harder, maybe in the 90s.''
He had a 1-1 sophomore record with two saves and an earned run average of 3.0. Last year he was 3-2 with three saves but trimmed his ERA to 2.0. ``We had 16 sophomores and only one senior on our team last year so the team wasn't too strong,'' he pointed out. Nevertheless, it qualified for the state playoffs for the first time since 1978.
Looking forward to pitching for Wilson, Settle says he hopes the future will be very similar to his dad's.
``I'm not sure about college,'' added Settle. ``I had a 3.0 this semester and my overall grades are over 2.5.
``My dad doesn't try to push me in any direction. I didn't start getting dedicated to baseball until my junior year. Now I work at it.'' He's into an exercise program to build his muscles. He reads any baseball books he can find. He's already out running on the track.
``I really want to be a pro pitcher,'' he said. ``And, if that doesn't work out, I would go into the military without any hesitation. I love it. I feel like I've been in the service 17 years already.''
He has joined the ROTC at Wilson. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Brian Settle, who enrolled at Wilson High School for his senior
year, hopes to follow in his father's footsteps.
by CNB