THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 21, 1996 TAG: 9607190241
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN FRENCH, STAFF WRITER NORFOLK
LENGTH: 101 lines
IT WAS another near-perfect night for American Legion's near-perfect baseball team.
Post 280 Chesapeake rolled to a 5-1 win against a Post 204 Norfolk team that contained many of the players who helped Cox High School to the state Group AAA championship this spring.
Nick James held Post 204 to a single hit, that a drag bunt. Drew Sellers sent a second-inning pitch towering over the 350-foot sign in left-center field. Post 280 never trailed, and left the Lakewood Park field the way it entered: undefeated.
So what did Post 280 coach John Knight say to his players as they huddled underneath a mammoth oak tree after their 16th straight win?
That's right. He chastised them for their fielding problems.
If it seems strange for a coach to be critical after an easy win, it should probably be noted that this is no ordinary American Legion team. This is a team that's won every 2nd District title in the three years the team has been in existence. Post 280 also has played in the state American Legion championship game in each of the past two years.
And while Knight would rather not compare this team with teams from seasons past, it seems more and more likely that this might be the best Post 280 club ever.
``This year's team has better pitching and hits for a better average, though we lost some power from last year,'' Knight said.
It also has a better attendance record.
``This year's team is more committed,'' said Knight. ``This is their priority team.''
Legion teams sometimes have trouble fielding a full team due to family vacations, baseball camps and players who also play with teams in other leagues. Post 280 had its share of problems filling the lineup card at the beginning of the season, too. But they've been affected less this year by the loss of players.
The fruits of their commitment are obvious: As of July 16, their record is 16-0. With six games left, they are an almost-certain playoff team (the 2nd District playoffs involve eight of the 12 teams in a double-elimination tournament) and the likely top seed.
Composed largely of players from Southeastern District champion Great Bridge and five-time Division I state private school champion Greenbrier Christian and a sprinkling of Oscar Smith players, Post 280 boasts eight players batting .300 or better and a pitching staff that is the envy of the district.
Catcher-third baseman Brian Anderson leads the hit brigade with a .440 average, followed by shortstop Mike Cuddyer (.423), infielder-outfielder Craig Sizemore (.400), middle infielder Ross Robertson (.388), first baseman Mark Caudell (.304), outfielder Drew Sellers (.303), outfielder Bradford Tibbs (.300) and first baseman-pitcher John Curtice (.300).
James (3-0) and Curtice (4-0) each have an ERA under 1.00. Tom Keiper (3-0), Caudell (2-0) and Cuddyer (one-hitter in his only start) are three other quality starters.
Not bad for a team with just four returning players from last year.
``It wasn't very hard to mesh this year,'' said James, one of the returnees. ``Most of our players played at Great Bridge or Greenbrier (Christian), and they know each other.''
And they also know that they can be their own toughest opponent.
``Sometimes it can be hard to focus when you're doing well,'' said James, a Greenbrier graduate who has accepted a baseball scholarship from James Madison University. ``A couple of times we've fallen behind and needed someone to step up for us.''
``We have to keep our perspective,'' added Knight. ``It's easy for these kids to develop something of a winning attitude. But they're also very mature.''
All their successes could be swept under the rug if they don't win the state Legion tournament, however. Post 280's focus is on returning to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
``(The state title) is our one and only goal for this season,'' Knight said. ``That, and to win our district again.''
If they get to the state tournament, they'll have two obstacles with which to contend. Legion games in this area last seven innings, but in the rest of the state they go nine innings. Though the district's playoffs will be in the nine-inning format, the longer games could be a concern, especially for the pitching staff.
``We were tired and ran out of pitching in last year's finals (an 11-7 loss to Post 273 Poquoson),'' said James. ``This year, we have a deeper bench and more lefties, so we won't be as affected.''
Post 54 Bedford may represent another problem. The two teams have developed something of a rivalry since they met in the 1994 state finals (a 2-1 Bedford win). Post 280 earned a measure of revenge by ousting Bedford from last year's playoffs, and Bedford defeated Post 280 11-8 in a July 8 exhibition that Knight says they ``could easily have won.''
Bedford is expected to be in the playoffs again this season, and other teams in the state will be used to the nine-inning games. But if Post 280 continues its torrid start, it would give the team a chance to do something previous Post 280 teams have not done: hold a state championship trophy.
They're certainly off on the right foot.
``I wasn't expecting this kind of start,'' Knight said. ``This has really been a pleasant surprise.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by BILL TIERNAN
Pitcher Nick James and catcher Zach Younce celebrate yet another
Post 280 Chesapeake victory Tuesday night. James pitched a
one-hitter as Post 280 defeated the Post 204 Norfolk team 5-1 to run
its record to 16-0. by CNB