THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994 TAG: 9406170696
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940617 LENGTH: Long
After years of relative indifference to what serves as the premier summer league throughout most of the country, nine teams - four more than last season - are going at each other in a 2nd District season that began June 2.
{REST} The success of Chesapeake's Post 280 team no doubt accounts for some of Legion baseball's resurgence locally. Last year, Post 280, playing in the league for the first time in four years, won both halves of the season and became the first area team to reach the state tournament in 12 years.
The transformation of Green Run's high school team after playing Legion ball seems to also have been a factor. The Stallions won just four games a year ago; this year, they were the Beach District regular-season champions.
The teams:
CHESAPEAKE POST 35
Draws from: Oscar Smith, Deep Creek, Western Branch
Coach: Ernie Rogers
Worth noting: Had this team decided to load up with stars like Western Branch's Jimmy Anderson and Leigh Phelps, it might look as good on paper as defending champion Post 280. Instead, Post 35 coaches Rogers (Oscar Smith), Scott Hughes (Deep Creek) and Jim Stanko (Western Branch) have opted to play without graduating seniors. That still leaves a pretty good group, led by Oscar Smith sophomore pitcher Mark Caudell, a Commonwealth Games selectee, Jerry White, Jason Hand and Joey Tinetti. Western Branch stalwarts Nick Ardagna, All-Tidewater Dre Bly and Calvin Diggs will join the team later in the season.
CHESAPEAKE POST 280
Draws from: Greenbrier Christian, Indian River and Great Bridge
Coach: Gary Lavelle
Worth noting: The consensus favorite. So stiff is the competition for roster spots on Post 280 that 40 players tried out for 24 roster spots, and those who missed the cut could probably form a first-division team of their own. Anthony Linhardt, a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth, and All-Tidewater pick Shawn O'Dell, a Florida Marlins' draftee, headline an all-star cast that also includes pitcher Mike Floyd, who was unbeaten in 13 decisions last year, and All-Tidewater picks Mike Hoskins and Derek Riebel.
CHURCHLAND POST 310
Draws from: Churchland, Nansemond River, Wilson, Nansemond-Suffolk
Coach: Robert Jones
Worth noting: American Legion ball returns to Post 310 for the first time in more than 10 years. According to coach Robert Jones, the team was formed as an outgrowth of the popularity of Churchland's four-year-old fall baseball program. Two Division I signees from Nansemond River, pitcher Brett Craun (William and Mary) and All-Tidewater infielder Brian Elms (Radford), have helped 310 to a 4-0 start.
VIRGINIA BEACH POST 110
Draws from: First Colonial
Coach: Norbie Wilson
Worth noting: This team should be among the district's strongest, as it is comprised of First Colonial's Eastern Region championship team, minus graduating seniors. Post 110 had to postpone several early games because the Patriots were participating in the Group AAA state tournament, but according to Wilson, ``We happily made that sacrifice.''
GREEN RUN POST 113
Draws from: Green Run and Princess Anne
Coach: Lee Banks
Worth noting: Most of the same players, who led Green Run to the Beach District regular-season baseball title, will be on hand, led by All-Tidewater picks Chris Elmore and David Abbott and outfielder Joe Clark. Only one player, Mark Whitfield, comes from Princess Anne. Whitfield graduated a year ago and plans to walk-on at Virginia Wesleyan in the fall.
SALEM POST 113
Draws from: Salem, Tallwood and Catholic
Coach: Randy Sterling
Worth noting: Despite a 13-1 loss in its season opener, pitching depth could make Post 113 a factor as the season progresses. Sterling says he has eight or nine players who will take the mound. This depth comes in handy this week, as the post has six games scheduled. Key players include Salem's Brian Hill and Brad Daughtrey, Tallwood's Jeff Gathings and Roland Ramos and Catholic's Steve Bruner, Mike Holcraft, Andrew Pickett and Brian Conley.
MAURY POST 327
Draws from: Maury and Lake Taylor
Coach: Marty Bechtol
Worth noting: Although this figures to be one of the league's stronger teams, Post 327 got out of the gate slowly with a 10-9 loss to a Chesapeake Post 327 team that played without five of its projected starters. Few teams will be able to match bats with Post 327, which features two-time All-Tidewater pick Chris Libbey, Aaron Ambrose and Skip Wright.
NORFOLK POST 35
Draws from: Granby, Norview, Norfolk Academy and Catholic
Coach: Charles Francis
Worth noting: Much of the talent from Granby, including pitchers Frank Thompson and Kelly Hanchey, 15-year-old shortstop Ryan McFadden and catcher Mark Sawyers, will be on hand. Pitcher/shortstop Ethan Ostroff is the main Norfolk Academy player. Infield defense and pitching are the strengths, but hitting woes have been evident in the team's 1-2 start.
BAYSIDE POST 204
Draws from: Bayside and Princess Anne
Coach: Terry Gowin
Worth noting: One of the youngest teams in the league. Except for outfielder/pitcher Jim Shannon, who graduated from Bayside a year ago, all players have at least one year of high school remaining. The youth figures to make it tough for this team to keep up with the district's more experienced teams. Post 204 is 0-3. Ernie James, Jeff Tignor and Chris Lemley will be the pitching mainstays.
by CNB