THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 29, 1994 TAG: 9407270124
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY GREG GOLDFARB, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
THERE ARE MANY success stories in the area's youth baseball coaching ranks, but one of the best has to be Darrell Southerland, who coaches in the Indian River Pony League.
His record is 84-5 over the past six years and 39-1 over the past three. His teams have been undefeated for two of the past three seasons, including his Bronco division Reds, who went 16-0 and won the district this past campaign.
Southerland's clubs have won one Bronco crown and four Mustang division titles, and he has taken teams to the sectionals twice. He has yet to win a world series, but give him time - he's only 34.
``We're going to get it, sooner or later,'' said Southerland, an electrician who has been coaching since 1982.
What's his secret? It's no mystery how he motivates his teams as far as he is concerned.
``We believe in the kids; we believe in winning, and we dedicate our time to teaching these kids,'' said Southerland. ``If they can just learn one thing, I feel like I have achieved something.''
Other observers, however, say the the Greenbrier-area resident is being more modest than mysterious.
``Darrell's one of a kind,'' said Alice Ertsgaard, the league's vice president. ``I've known him for 12 years, and he's a very disciplined coach who doesn't tolerate a lot of attitude.''
The coach says he is surprised that his teams are not only taking care of business, but he has been able to have fun at the same time.
``I'm like a kid myself out there,'' Southerland said. ``The best way to get them (the kids) motivated is to have a goal to shoot for.
``Sometimes you get kids who really get down on themselves and a lot of kids at an early age will have a bad attitude.
``I just don't put up with that. I want kids without attitude out there.''
Another key is keeping team practices interesting. That is imperative to keeping kids involved.
``Darrell has this charisma about him that makes the boys pay attention to what he's saying,'' Ertsgaard said. ``All the boys love him.''
``You've got to get out there with them,'' Southerland explained.
From February to July each year for the past 12 years, Southerland estimates he is on the field six days a week for two to three hours a day. He never expected to continue coaching for so long, but his interaction with his squads has helped perpetuate his enthusiasm.
Now Southerland intends to continue coaching for years to come and move up to higher levels. This was his first season in the Bronco division, and he was named an assistant coach for the Reds along with Mike Newton and Dave Wright, and all three share equal responsibility.
``The guys that I coach with are my friends, too,'' Southerland said.
A native of Chesapeake, Southerland is the son of James and Esther Southerland. He was graduated from Great Bridge High and played league baseball from the time he was eight until he was 17 as a pitcher and shortstop.
Southerland's 12-year-old son, Mike, also pitches and plays shortstop. Well, he did until this season when he suffered a broken arm, but his son's absence didn't stop Southerland from working with the other youngsters.
He also works the umpires too, and finds himself in dialogue with them over interpreting the rules.
``It's always a rules thing that he challenges,'' said Chuck Ford, an umpire for 12 years. ``It's never a judgment call.''
Southerland's apparent yearning for fair play and his feelings for his players are what really makes him special. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Left to right: Robbie Wright takes his turn batting while Dave
Wright, Darrell Southerland and Mike Newton watch.
by CNB