THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110421
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 1996 ALL-TIDEWATER PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 72 lines
The greatest enemy of any athlete is fear and no baseball player in Hampton Roads projects more sheer terror than Cox's Jason Dubois.
The 6-6, 220-pound junior strikes an imposing figure, whether he's cradling a fastball at the top of his delivery or creating wind shear with a swing of his bat.
``When batters look out and see a 6-6, muscular guy on the mound they think power pitcher,'' Dubois said. ``A lot of times they are just trying to get a piece of the ball and once they are scared you have them in your control.''
Dubois's ability to dominate a game as a pitcher and a hitter earned him the nod as The Virginian-Pilot player of the year over Great Bridge's Mike Cuddyer, an offensive machine.
Dubois was simply the most dominating player on the most dominating team in the area. He was a major reason why the Falcons advanced to the state Group AAA title game.
As a pitcher, Dubois was 8-0 with a 1.22 ERA. He allowed only 30 hits and struck out 74 in 63 innings.
Dubois plays rightfield when not pitching and batted .513 with 22 extra base hits - including seven home runs - and 44 RBIs.
When Dubois envisions himself on a diamond he's always the pitcher.
``I like pitching better,'' he said. ``It's more dominating. Anyone can hit, it's just a matter of who hits better.''
Cox coach John Ingram describes Dubois as a coach's dream.
``Jason has an awesome amount of talent, but he doesn't flaunt it,'' Ingram said. ``On the outside he appears unemotional. Very much like the rest of the team. Businesslike.''
Baseball may become a business for Dubois, who is being touted as a potential high draft choice next June.
``That's something I'll have to think about,'' he said.
College is still his first option, however, and he'll be heavily recruited. The rest of the first team:
Nick James: A senior pitcher from Greenbrier Christian, he was 10-1 with a 0.32 ERA in leading the Gators to a fifth-consecutive VIS Division I championship. The James Madison signee allowed only 33 hits and struck out 112 in 66 innings.
Ryan Dunbar: A senior catcher from First Colonial, the three-year starter batted .371 with four home runs and 23 RBIs.
Mike Cuddyer: Great Bridge junior shortstop is a repeat pick who put together the best offensive season in recent memory, batting .541 with 13 home runs and 50 RBIs in only 61 at bats.
Tim LaVigne: A senior shortstop from Cox, he batted leadoff for team that averaged 12 runs a game. LaVigne, who signed with Virginia, batted .452 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs. He also led the Falcons in runs scored with 43.
Aaron Ambrose: A senior from Maury, Ambrose played second base as well as shortstop and batted .415 with two home runs and 20 RBIs and scored a team-leading 24 runs.
Rob Robinson: A senior outfielder from Ocean Lakes, he batted .367, scored 19 runs and knocked in 21. He also was hit by a pitch nine times and stole 12 bases.
Jeff Butler: A junior outfielder from First Colonial, he batted .487 with 26 RBIs and hit a school-record seven home runs.
Robert Jones: A senior first baseman from Churchland, he batted .367 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. Signed with William & Mary, where he is expected to pitch.
Bradford Tibbs: A junior outfielder from Great Bridge, he batted leadoff and hit .442 with 13 walks and 30 runs scored.
Jason Morgan: A senior from Wilson named to the DH slot, he batted .512 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in 15 games. Morgan's coach, Billy Kline, called him the most powerful high school hitter he's seen.
Keith Reynolds: A senior from Indian River named to the utility spot, was a first-team All-Southeastern District pick as a pitcher and an outfielder. Reynolds was 7-0 with a 0.59 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 471/3 innings through the district tournament. He also batted .329. by CNB