Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 28, 1994                   TAG: 9408050064
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: S-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THEY'RE JUST PASSING THROUGH, BUT THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE

Storyline No. 1: Longtime resident. Loves the area. Will never leave. Gives time, energy, ideas and/or money to various causes. A monument, shrine, street name, lofty speech or other tribute is usually forthcoming.

Storyline No. 2: Young, promising resident, lured away by opportunity. Leaves town just as his or her potential is recognized. Much hand-wringing and head-shaking surrounds a cloud of dust stirred up by the dearly departed.

There's plenty written about the old guard and the ones who got away. And an increasing amount of ink is devoted to tomorrow's leaders - those who are still earning their reputations.

But what about the short-term residents, those who move to Roanoke, make their presence felt in a positive way, and then move on? People like Matt Werner and Jay Vermeulen, two Little League baseball coaches who have taught young people the fundamentals of batting and fielding, talking and listening, winning and losing, teamwork and enthusiasm.

They've also learned a few things themselves: a better understanding of what coaching is about; an appreciation of parental support; and the knowledge that nice guys can ``finish first.''

Werner and Vermeulen, both 23, have lived in Roanoke for about a year. They probably won't be here much longer.

They have been close friends since 1986, finishing high school together in West Chester, Pa.

``We were always in the same homeroom,'' Werner said.

They graduated from Clemson University in 1993 and accepted jobs in Roanoke last summer with Ferguson Enterprises, a wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies.

Vermeulen is leaving Ferguson Enterprises in August to pursue a master of business administration degree at Penn State University. Werner is anticipating a move within the company.

``I could be transferred tomorrow,'' he said.

Werner and Vermeulen work inside sales at Ferguson, often to the tune of 55-hour weeks. They share an apartment in southwest Roanoke County and enjoy weekend jaunts around the country. They also enjoy sports.

When Will Boylan, one of their co-workers, asked Werner if he would like to help coach youth baseball this summer, Werner offered an alternative suggestion.

``I was selfish,'' Werner said. ``I wanted [to manage] a team myself.''

It wasn't long before Werner found himself in charge of the Pirates, a team of 9-to 12-year-olds in the Cave Spring Little League Minors. Werner recruited Vermeulen as his assistant.

The roommates had played four years on an intramural softball team at Clemson. ``The Dawgs'' were champions in the second semester of their senior year. Werner played third base and was team captain; Vermeulen played second base.

``Everybody always called me `coach,''' Werner said, ``although all I really did was set the lineup and control personalities.''

Werner and Vermeulen found Little League to be a more demanding task.

``We wanted to do it all ourselves,'' Werner said, ``but we soon realized that we couldn't.'' A group of parents pitched in, helping with everything from discipline to refreshments.

``Even though we're adults, I don't know if we got the respect [we deserved from the players] right away,'' Werner said.

The Pirates had a successful season, finishing the year 11-4-2 and winning the tournament championship, but Werner and Vermeulen don't measure the experience in wins and losses.

``I started out with three goals,'' Werner said. ``I wanted the kids to have fun, to learn something, and to respect the coaches and their teammates. Even more than that, I wanted to make sure they would all want to play next year. I think we did that.''

The season surpassed Vermeulen's hopes. ``It was way past what I expected,'' he said. ``We had something good. The parents brought balloons and streamers to the tournament; it really was a whole group effort.''

Parents and players won't forget this season, either.

Chances are good that they'll remember winning.

Chances are better that they'll remember two young men - who were new to Roanoke; who had no relatives on the team; who shared their time and expertise; and as one parent said, ``gave up their social life.''