THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, June 5, 1995 TAG: 9506050123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 152 lines
American Legion baseball continues to grow in South Hampton Roads.
The 2nd Legion District, which had only four teams four years ago, begins play Tuesday with 11 in the local version of the premier summer league in the country for ages 15-18.
Two new teams - Virginia Beach Post 110 and Norfolk Post 204 - join an already potent group of area talent.
Chesapeake Post 280 is the consensus favorite after finishing second in the state last year to Bedford, which won the Mid-Atlantic region and advanced to the American Legion World Series.
Post 280 will get a rematch on July 24 with Bedford, who will also face Princess Anne Post 113 on July 25.
The teams will play a 20-game schedule and qualify one team for the state tournament in Lynchburg. The state representative will be chosen through a playoff system which will have the second through fifth place teams play a single elimination tournament with the winner facing the regular season champion in a best-of-three series.
The teams:
CHESAPEAKE POST 280
Draws from: Great Bridge and Greenbrier Christian
Coach: John Knight
Last year: 19-2
Top returning players: Mike Hoskin, 3B-C; David Ellyson, P; Derek Riebel, OF; Darren Bettis, SS; David Bailey, P; Eddie Gosman, P-C-INF; David Allison, P; Tim McGovern, OF-3B; Eddie Byrum, P.
Top newcomers: Mike Cuddyer, P; Nick James, P; Mike Oliphant, OF-SS; Alton Todd, 1B; Steve Eudy, P.
Worth noting: The pitching staff is solid with Ellyson, who went 5-1 at Norfolk State, and Bailey, who boasted a 1.60 ERA at Indian River. Riebel hit ERA for Greenbrier Christian.
VIRGINIA BEACH POST 327
Draws from: First Colonial
Coach: Lew Tetlow
Last year: 16-6
Top returning players: David Winter, OF; A.T. Vasta, 3B; Ed Manley, P; Steve Johnson, P; Nathan Frost, 2B; Steve Tyler, SS.
Top newcomers: Parker Friske, P; Matt Large, P; Jeff Butler, INF-OF; Mark Rutman, INF-OF.
Worth noting: Most of First Colonial's top players will be on hand. Manley was 8-0, while Johnson went 5-1 for the Patriots. A solid infield will be anchored by Vasta, Frost and Taylor.
PRINCESS ANNE POST 113
Draws from: Green Run and Ocean Lakes
Coach: Lee Banks
Last year: 13-6
Top returning players: Chris Elmore, P-INF; David Abbott, P-INF; John Defere, C; Joe Clark, OF; Gene Mugler, INF; Jason Healey, INF.
Top newcomers: Pat Abelon, P-INF; Rob Robinson, OF; James Walsh, P-INF; Chad Cloutier, C.
Worth noting: Green Run's Elmore was the Beach District player of the year and is 9-0. Teammates Abbott, Defere, Mugler and Ocean Lakes' Abelon earned First Team All-District.
CHURCHLAND POST 310
Draws from: Churchland, Wilson, Nansemond River and Nansemond-Suffolk
Coach: Robert Jones
Last year: 14-7
Top returning players: J.C. Caperton, SS; Robert Jones Jr., P-1B; Gary Denette, 2B; Walt Bondurant, P-3B; Dale Heely, OF-3B; Otis Jones, OF.
Top newcomers: Aaron Baily, OF; Mike Vizcaino, P-OF; Lee Parks, C; Cody Flowers, P; Chris Kelly, P; Pete May, C; Brad Ragland, P-C; Jason Lawson, 3B; John Drames, P-OF.
Worth noting: Dennette led Churchland in batting and RBIs and was named the city of Portsmouth's player of the year. Robert Jones was 3-3 with a 0.73 ERA for the Truckers and Ragland hit .356 for Wilson.
CHESAPEAKE POST 35
Draws from: Deep Creek, Oscar Smith and Western Branch
Coach: Ernie Rogers
Last year: 9-11
Top returning players: Mark Caudell, P-1B; Pat Cusick, C-1B; David McLamb, INF; Shawn Allen, C; Jason Hand, INF.
Top newcomers: Doug Brennan, INF; Wes Barnett, OF; Corey Bauswell, 3B-C.
Worth noting: Pitching will be a big question mark. Caudell, an All-Eastern District selection from Oscar Smith, is the only pitcher with American Legion experience.
VIRGINIA BEACH POST 113
Draws from: Salem, Kellam and Catholic
Coach: Angelo Costa
Last year: 9-11
Top returning players: Justin Kerzanet, INF; Conan Javier, C-OF; Eric Stagemeyer, INF-P; Andrew Prickett, P; Mike Holcroft, INF; Brian Conley, INF; Daryl Bernalis, OF.
Top newcomers: Eric Washburn, P-1B; Cameron Michanowicz, P-OF; Travis Evans, OF-C; Robert Limjoco, OF; Ron Easley, C; Lance Polter, 3B; Brian Evans, P, INF.
Worth noting: Javier and Prickett head an experienced team. Javier hit Catholic.
NORFOLK POST 35 Draws from: Granby, Norfolk Academy, Norfolk Christian and Norview
Coach: Jim Robinson
Last year: 6-15
Top returning players: Ethan Ostroff, 3B-P; Ryan Tabor, OF-P.
Top newcomers: Darnell Davis, SS; Nick Jankovic, 3B-P.
Worth noting: Post 35 is relatively inexperienced. Ostroff was 3-3 for Norfolk Academy, while Davis was Norview's MVP.
NORFOLK POST 60
Draws from: Bayside, Princess Anne
Coach: Terry Gowin
Last year: 4-17
Top returning players: Matt Clark, C; P.J. Fleenor, P-2B; Andy Callow, P-1B; Detrict Land, SS-OF; Chris Lemley, P.
Top newcomers: Scott Schneider, P; Joey Cavallo, P; Jon Abelon, 1B; Matt Tonelson, 2B; Todd Blake, SS; Scott McCoy, OF; Tim Moore, P-OF; Jason Jennison, C.
Worth noting: The pitching staff is young and several are without varsity experience. Clark was Bayside's MVP, a second team All-Beach District pick and batted .411.
NORFOLK POST 327
Draws from: Maury, Indian River and Granby
Coach: Ivan Mims
Last year: 4-17
Top returning players: Aaron Ambrose, P-SS; Taylor Blair, 3B; Rick Hart, P-OF; Todd Davidson, P-OF.
Top newcomers: Frank Thompson, P-1B; Ryan McFadden, P-SS; Skip Harrison, C.
Worth noting: Davidson was 8-3 for Maury but is one the few pitchers who finished above .500. Hitting shouldn't be a problem with the bats of Granby's Thompson, Indian River's Harrison and Maury's Ambrose and Davidson.
NORFOLK POST 204
Draws from: Cox and Lake Taylor
Coach: John Ingram
Last year: New team
Top returning players: J.T. Hazelette, P-3B; Jason Dubois, P-OF; Tim Lavigne, P-SS; Jason Dixon, C-1B; Ted Tignor, 2B.
Top newcomers: Brian Fair, 2B-SS; Aaron Strausbaugh, 3B; Robby Hale, P-OF; David Wilson, 1B.
Worth noting: Hazelette was 9-3 and Hale went 5-2 for Lake Taylor. All of the infield starters return, including Cox's Tignor.
VIRGINIA BEACH POST 110
Draws from: Kempsville and Tallwood
Coach: Bill Hilliard
Last year: New team
Top returning players: Jason Hatcher, 3B; Andy Wissinger, SS; Jeff Gathings, 1B-P; Cisco Del Carmen, OF; Fred Sanders, OF.
Top Newcomers: Ryan Peshek, P-OF; Nick Boyd, SS; Jaye Doll, 2B-P.
Worth noting: Hatcher was Longwood's freshman of the year and Wissinger and Gathings were Tallwood's co-captains. Del Carmen provides a solid bat and great range in the outfield. by CNB