Topic: Baseball
Contact me at jwb262@yahoo.com in Turtle Lake ND if you want to set up an appointment for one on one baseball skills instructon.
7-9 years old (jefferson, tx) I had my first taste of all-star baseball being chosen to the county league team. we played a 64 team East section tourney in Gladewater, TX. We finished as the runner-up and I knew from that point, that baseball was my passion.
10 years old- (Oklahoma) I would move to Soper, Ok and make the 11-12 year old all-star team. We played in Memphis, TN Southeast Regional and would go home with our tails between our legs, after a whooping by New Orleans, LA (the eventual World Series Runner-up).They would make a statement losing to the Champion Oakland, CA club, to the rest of the Southeast Region. The statement was they were the best ,most promoted and selected team in the Region.
11years old- (Oklahoma) I would move to Hugo and play SS for the eventual County League runner-up. The league annouced that expansion of teams and new rule regulations would require us to have 2 all-star teams in the district action. They would go in behind closed doors and draw for the East-West format. As fate was on our side(East that is) and the draw would reveal the top 3 finishers in the league and a solid nucleas for our team Choctaw County East. We would win the District and State Titles, with out alot of trouble. As we prepared for our Regional Tourney the focus was on New Orlenas and knowing that to advance that they would be the opponent. As we recieved the brackets there was still no downside as we drew them in the opening game of the regional in Baton Rouge,LA . The teams that we be represented were:
Baton Rouge, LA- National
Baton Rouge, LA- American
New Orleans, LA
Siloam Springs, AR
Wharton,TX (south tex)
Waco,TX (east tex)
Andrews, TX (west tex)
Choctaw East (Oklahoma)
Some of the Texas teams are not exact, but the location of the team is within that vicinity (its been along time).
We opened the tourney vs New Orleans(Lakeshore) and the defending Regional champ, and heavy favorite to repeat. As history would repeat it-self in this one, the New Orleans team made short work of this rural area all-star team we produced. As you will notice we came from a very un-densely pop. area compared to some of these clubs. They would run-rule us in 5 inn. and do it in dominating fashion. We would not be detoured though, as the coaches and fans continued to believe we could win this thing with the pitching and defense we had.The long route would began in this true double-elimination tourney. We started with one of Texas teams and defeated them and confidence would grow. We hadnt lost till that first game,and it didnt feel good. After we got that feel back we knocked off Baton Rouge, LA and Siloam Springs,AR to get back thru the losers bracket and another shot at New Orleans,LA. The New Orleans team was flowing with confidence, a cake walk in their minds was there. They knew we would be tough, but their offense prowess had been overwhelming thus far. Game 1 would see us battle and get some runs early to set-up a dramatic finish. 5-5 top 6th, we had a runner at third and 2-outs. This next play was totally un-called or anticipated. The pitcher was seeming to struggle with control and threw one in the dirt, the catcher blocked it to the side. The runner couldnt advance, but didnt return to the base. The pitcher took a few steps toward the catcher in disgust, he was saying something to the catcher. When he recieved the ball and turned to return to the mound , the kid broke for home. I see it in slow motion at the moment, the crowd went crazy, yelling and trying to alert the pitcher. He turned toward 3rd to find noone there, his throw across his body to the plate was high. The slide was perfect and the tag late 6-5 , we would hold to set-up a if needed game. The wind was outta their sails, to our surprise! We would take an early lead and never look back, 6-3 and a Southeast Region Title in our grasp! Thats probably the single best moment, in my childhood.
We would advance to Indianapolis, IN to participate in the Cal-Ripken (Babe Ruth) League world series of 1985. The brackets had been drawn before the Region, the New Orleans team were set-up as the #1 seed. We lucked into this, or so we thought so. The teams participating would be:
Brooklyn,NY (Gil Hodges LL)
Lexington,KY (Fern Creek LL)
Wilmington,NC
Township,NH
Elk Grove,CA
Kalispell, MT
Shelbyville, IN
Choctaw County East, OK
Shelbyville,IN would be our first opponent as we cruised to an early lead, and seemingly a victory. Our Ace pitcher was just cruising in this one, and then the wheel fell off! We had a 4-1 lead in the 6th and he commenced to walk 3 hitters! I never seen this guy walk 2 in-a-row, even after playing HS and numerous summer games with him! Their best player steps in and crushes a a pitch into the centerfield night! 5-4 and we couldnt muster a run in the bot, of the 6th. We are in the same boat as the region, losers bracket! We tried to catch that feel and believe we could climb back thru and win the thing. Lexington,KY (Fern Creek) would assure us that wouldnt happen! They finished our season, and we would only have to wonder if the winners bracket would have been kinder. The Brooklyn,NY team would claim the national title. Oh yes, I played every inning of every game throught this all-star run at 3rd base for this very good ball-club.
12 years old- We qualified for the State Tourney and didnt fair as well this team, I was the lone returning player with all-star experience(on either east-west roster). The only thing about it was, guys I would later go on to play with and against in college team won the region and would participate in the world series. The lone 2 oklahoma teams to make it, and in a 2 year span.
I moved to Ft Towson,OKHS where they had in Oklahoma Fall-Spring baseball for no football playing schools.
1990- I was a soph and we had a real good team rising in the state rankings to 3rd (of 96) and a regional title. State tourney appearence. I started 2nd base for this club, and homered 5 times throught the season with a .350 batting average. This team would lose 11 times in the regular season.The thing about it was every team we lost to we also beat, and every team we lost to was ranked top 10 in their respective classes. Also 4 players would play college off of this team. Keep in mind each and every season we were going against teams in every class, even the top class in oklahoma(5A). They have since added a 6A class.
1991- Fall/Spring combined: We were ranked #1(of 96) for a couple weeks but went back and forth 4-8. I would end up team MVP (as JR) and Top 10 in the state @ .478 in batting average. I homered 16 times total Fall/Spring. This team would lose 3 senior starters and all would attend college on scholarship.
1991 summer: We finally got our on Legion team and be very competitive,I got to hit 4 hole and really had a great summer. Every starter would recieve a scholarship to play baseball off of this team (of course in different years as some were younger).
1992 Fall/Spring: 2 great seasons and top 10 ranking throught. I would finish 2nd in the state in hitting at .578 and homer 25 times.I was chosen team MVP again by my teammates. I began to pitch again, i had pitched sparingly up to this point.I was 11-1. My velocity would began to rise above that mediocre range, and began to get noticed. My last HS game would be agianst the #2 team in 2A and went well. I struck out 10 in a run-rule 9-1 must win game. The opening game of the regional tourney prior to my final game, I would strike out 16 vs the #20 ranked team. I wont go into the regional final if needed game, its a story in itself. I ended with 46 homers in HS, and decent dimensions on our field. 305-365-300.
1992 summer: I would be surprised by one of the top 5 JUCO baseball programs in the country Seminole JC OK coach. Hes in the hall of fame and would offer me a 60%(norm baseball) scholarship. I accepted (verbally) and started the Legion season with my head held high. To recieve this offer was the ultimate at that time in baseball and SE Oklahoma. I had been chosen to a HS all-star team that would play in Crossett,AR against teams from: Denham Springs,LA- Austin,TX- Santa Fe,NM and several other locations. I pitched the against Santa Fe and the New Mexico State Champs. I would pitch 6 innings (due to run-rule) and strike out 15! I was surprised my-self and would be approached by the Univ of Arkansas pitching coach, and an offer of a visit and possible scholarship (he had to confirm with head coach and said it wouldnt be a problem). I was on the gun that night for the first time of my knowledge, they werent that regular then.89 was my top pitch that night and he said i had great sink on the ball. The american legion season would began, we had a very good team. Everyone was college bound and 2 eventual draft picks: SS 8th round Braves and LF: 36th round Indians. I had alot of offers at this point and was hard-headed and determined to go to Seminole, until I met my JUCO coach to be. North Central Texas would get me to visit with the offer of an immediate Starting role in the conference rotation and DH/1B duties on the side. NCTC is a great baseball program outta Texas and has won the 2000 National titles and several winning seasons. i would change my commitment and go to Texas.
1993/94: One thing I can say is a great Baseball experience. Texas Tech/Baylor offers and a MLB grade score of 54 (40 draftable). I was injured in 94 just prior to the draft and the offers I had were set in limbo. I would accept a scholarship to Southeastern Oklahoma State Univ., a Div 2 power .
1995: I will start by saying I never got over the arm injury, I would never regain my velocity. I was stuck pitching with my JR in HS velocity, but a gain knowledge of the mound. We weere real succesful as a team, no doubt the best team I ever played on. 6 players would eventually be drafted or signing and playing the minors. Barring injuries there were probably 4-5 more that were in the same boat. We would win the Central Plains Region in Hastings, NE. Ironically the last game I started in the Region opener was vs Jamestown, ND. I would pick-up the win vs them 5-2, and retired 13 in a row at one point. Sioux City,IA was the site of the World series and we were ranked #2 in the country. We opened vs Cumberland,TN and blistered the baseball, and couldnt get anything to go our way. The kid from TN was great and seemed to get outta every jam. 3-2 would be the final and the Mighty Savages (national runner-up the year before, thats us of course) would drop the opener. We defeated a Texas team and then dropped a decision to a Alabama team to wrap up my career. I wouldnt return for my senior season, as arm injuries and occurences would prevent it. I played for some really good college coaches over those 3 years Mike Metheny (hall of famer ) seosu), Kevin Darwin (drafted 3 times/ NCTC), his brothers giving tutorials in the off-season Danny/Jeff Darwin (combined 35 years of major league baseball service) and Darren Brown (double A manager of the San Antonio Missions) pitching coach SEOSU.
I obtained alot of knowledge over my years of playing baseball. I lived the game for every moment, and can relay this to players if they have the yearning-desire to learn. I left out alot of stats and just hit some of the high points throught.