Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 2, 1994 TAG: 9406020183
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The East-West Baseball Ambassadors, an Ohio-based nonprofit organization, conducted tryouts on that day for Roanoke-area baseball players between the ages of 11 and 19. The East-West Ambassadors was searching for top baseball talent and players who exhibit long-range potential.
More than 75 players showed up for the audition at Victory Stadium. They came from Danville, Lynchburg and Southwest Virginia; Roanoke was one of 160 tryout sites across the country.
McMahon and Holland, high school seniors, and Andrews, a sixth-grader at Mountain View Elementary, impressed the scouts enough to be offered positions. Now all they have to do is raise enough money to cover the trips they've selected.
Holland, a senior at William Fleming High School, is the son of a former major-leaguer, Al Holland Sr. The senior Holland graduated from the former Lucy Addison High School and played pro ball for five teams; he went to the World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1983.
As a shortstop, the younger Holland was named Roanoke Valley District baseball player of the year last season.
Holland, who also was Fleming's football quarterback, will be traveling to China for three weeks in July and August. As of the April Ambassador newsletter, Holland had raised more money than any other of the hundreds of athletes who are involved in the national program.
McMahon, a shortstop for Patrick Henry High School, will be visiting Paris in France and Amsterdam in Holland in July after attending a camp at Vero Beach, Fla., where the Los Angeles Dodgers conduct spring training.
McMahon, all-Roanoke Valley District center fielder as a junior, was batting .440 as of May 17. He figures his total expenses will be $4,800 and has raised $3,400 - through savings, corporate sponsorships, donations from friends, washing cars and mowing lawns.
"I took French for four years. This trip is going to be an opportunity to use it," said McMahon.
"Getting the letter that I'd been accepted into the program was like getting a letter from college," he said, adding he plans to attend Mary Washington College next year and play baseball as a walk-on.
Andrews has selected the Canadian Tour, which runs July 15-25. His itinerary calls for several days of intensive training in Montreal, followed by games in Montreal and Quebec City.
Andrews, who is playing in his seventh season of organized baseball, has a goal of making it to the major leagues. He has been an All-Star pitcher for the North Roanoke Recreational Baseball League, and this season has moved up to the Dixie Youth Boys Division.
Andrews has hit plenty of doubles and triples, but still is waiting for his first home run.
"I figure I'll play outfield in the majors," he said. "That's where most of the good hitters end up."
Andrews and his family have raised about $700 for the trip, $2,700 short of the total cost. Jack Andrews, John's father, has arranged for John's airfare through a friend's frequent-flyer points, but more money still is needed.
"We're very thankful for the support we've gotten so far," Jack Andrews said. "This is the opportunity of a lifetime for John, but we need the help of the community.
"Can you imagine being 12 years old and being selected to such a team?
"At first, I was concerned," Jack Andrews said. "Here we are, sticking our boy on a plane for two weeks.
"But I called the organization, and the people at East-West Ambassadors kept speaking of the experiences other than baseball - the exposure to another culture, learning communication skills, learning responsibility.
"John's going to learn how to take care of himself. We thought about going with him, but we decided it will be good for John to embark on this by himself."
Anyone interested in supporting the athletes can contact Mike McMahon at 774-6689 or Jack Andrews at 857-9053 or 563-0013.
by CNB