All-Time All-District Teams

I think FC's Denny Hedspeth (C) would make it over Hudge.

Good call, I was scratching my head trying to think of a good catcher. Funny, since catcher has been one of the deepest positions in the Beach the last couple of years. Patrick Harrington has the potential to eventually make that list if he sticks at the position and shows he can handle it at the higher levels

I think Patrick will be moved to the OF to better utilize his skills.

What about FC's Nathan Thomas? Kellam's LHP David Sartain?

If we are bases it on how they did at their time during their HS Years? What about Frank Berry/Billie Mueller from FC? Both were POY's if I remember correctly....and a copy of the above list were not.

Sorry for the mispelling, it is freezing on this ship....

Not sure Thomas could unseat any of the guys listed. I wasn't familiar with Sartain, but after checking his stats on baseballcube, I'd still go with the LHP's listed (pitching was a tough choice...thats why I went with 3 each)

And what about Dan Hudson from PA.....

He was close...probably #4 RHP on my list. Give him another year or two and he may surpass some of the others

Matt Williams Played at PA and Sartain was much more dangerous in HS than was Williams or Bray. Also Nathan Thomas was probably the best hitting first baseman that I can remember and I would think that some at FC would agree with him over Winfree.

I agree, Sartain was much more dominant in HS than Bray. Nate Thomas raked in HS.

Going strictly by HS stats, you could probably bump quite a few from that list. Guess its all in the criteria you choose to use

quote:

Originally posted by BLue26:
Matt Williams Played at PA and Sartain was much more dangerous in HS than was Williams or Bray. Also Nathan Thomas was probably the best hitting first baseman that I can remember and I would think that some at FC would agree with him over Winfree.

I wasn't following baseball that closely then so I'll take your word for it...but are you sure?

Matt Williams

Not sure what stats you are using, but don't forget the older guys. Matt Sinnen needs to chime in here with his thoughts.
I would think Nick Boothe should be somewhere on this list. Think he played at Kempsville.


Not to sound judgemental, but don't you think the players chosen should at least have the requirement to have stayed on the team for a whole season without being suspended?????

Nick Boothe is a good choice. Again, I was much more concerned with the world's oldest sport at that time and didn't follow baseball. By all means put your own list up. I obviously based my list on what the players did after HS. You can use whatever criteria you'd like.

BTW your last statement was uncalled for and doesn't warrant a response...kind of disappointing to hear that from you

Nick played at Cox.

I don't post here often but I did want to speak up for us old guys who have been around for awhile. I think Jimmy Hunt (PA coach) and Mike Mungin (Landstown coach) should be included. Jimmy was a heck of a catcher and Mike was one hard throwing tough pitcher. Mike went on to play as high as AAA ball before having arm troubles (I don't remember which organization). I think Jimmy went on to play at Va. Tech. Jeff Balance could also be included. Jeff was an outstanding pitcher at PA long before he coached Green Run to a state title. I may be partial to these guys as I've known them since they were tots but I do believe they deserve to be considered for the Beach district. BTW, I'll be announcing some legion baseball news soon for those interested.

With all due respect, Mr. Taylor, I was referring to their high school years, and find it almost intolerable that "baseball people" as yourself find it uncalled for. I just did not understand how you could have an ALL-District beach player on your list who did not complete one year of high school ball. This is a time for change, perhaps it is also a time for advocates for baseball to stand up and not reward players that were suspended from multiple games in multiple seasons during high school. This is no suprise to anyone that knows me, I have been very vocal about players with "off field" issues being allowed to take that starting position at short stop when they return from the alternative school; be a pitcher and put in the rotation upon their return from juvenile detention. It sends a terrrible message to a child. It sends an even worse message to the hard working, good student, good citizen etc, player that has been making the right decisions. Perhaps, if these situations were handled properly and high school coaches were given mandatory procedures, then young men would begin to learn to make the right decisions because there are lasting behavior modifications.

Please keep in mind how disturbing I personally find this recently published news. These players are no longer juveniles, they are adults, they are given an opportunity that many young men (older men on this sight) would give anything for. Holy Cow! To be paid to play baseball! To be paid a huge amount to play baseball! To be given more money than you can make in 20 years coming out of high school. Let us talk about it and talk to our children of missed opportunity, results of behavior, and simply how to respect the obvious gift that was given you.
The rules that these athletes must follow are very specific and are well published, absolutely no excuses.

With that being said, I was attempting to stay with this thread because it sounded like a great topic and a good time for those "old timers" to step up and talk about the players that many would love to hear about.
From what I understand, Jimmy Hunt's dad who many of us fondly remember at all of PA's games, was quite an athlete.

Look forward to seeing some of you at the banquet on Friday.

Lynn Metheny

Grasscutter, I am well aware that it is 3:00 a.m., but I was still up doing work.

Lynn- Pretty funny that you would consider me "baseball people", most know that I'm a "matrat" born and raised in wrestling. I just happen to have a son that is pretty decent player and enjoy following the sport now. Quite frankly, I simply went to baseballcube.com, used what very limited information I knew about the players listed there and compiled the list. I was hoping that those more knowledgeable could add to the list and generate some positive discussion on here to fill the void until the season heats up.

I have no idea which player on the list to which you are referring and don't care to know, but from what I have gathered, most everyone on there has or is doing pretty good for themselves now. Think maybe that is because they were given a second chance? Is it better to have a hard and fast "no second chances" rule and perhaps push kids (they are still kids in HS) further in the wrong direction? For some kids, sports are their only motivation to go to school and thru sports they are often shown the right path in life. I wouldn't want to take that away from them. Its very easy to a view a situation from a distance and make what seems to you to be a very clear cut decision, but more often than not, those close to the situation may see things in a different light because they see the kid and not just the headlines in the newspapers or the rumours posted on internet message boards. Each case is different and should be treated as such.

BTW, I'm glad Coach Wilson and you mentioned Jimmy Hunt because if he was anywhere near the player that he is as a coach and person, he should DEFINITELY be on the list

As with any "All-Time" list, there are just too many years to deal with in regard to putting together one comprehensive list. Heck, there are guys from the 50's and 60's (even further back) that I have no clue about that would need to be included on an all time list. All time Decades teams might be a better way to get an idea. But that's a lot of work for this forum. I agree with Chris' list for a modern day team (with a couple of exceptions).

1943, your're my idol.

I respectfully disagree with grasscutter. Just because the vast majority of posters on this forum weren't around to see the players who played in the "50's or 60's" or before doesn't mean they should not be considered for an "all-time" list. For example, If I was only an active high school baseball fan for say 5 years I wouldn't suggest modifying the original topic to an all time 5 year team just so I could participate. Mentioning players from different eras is what I found interesting in this thread (excellent topic BTW Mr. Taylor). I would love to hear about worthy players from 50+ years ago.

It's the age old debate in baseball. Who was better Ty Cobb or Pete Rose? How about Bonds or Aaron or Ruth? Fun stuff.

1943 mentioned the late Ted Hunt. I was fortunate enough to have played ball for Mr. Hunt. He was a fantastic coach and person in general. He was always teaching. I never saw him lose his cool or raise his voice which is certainly more than I can say for myself. I understand he was quite the player back in the old city leagues. I can best describe him as a jewel of a man. Mrs. Hunt was a school teacher who taught my sister for a grade or two. I guess it should be no surprise that Jimmy has turned out to be the quality person that he is.

Now back to the list. There are a handful that in my opinion are no-brainers: Dozier, Zimmerman, Weems, and Ramirez.

Coach, with all due respect, including the ball players from earlier years was exactly the point I was trying to make. They should absolutely be included. I was only suggesting that doing it by decade would get more deserving players recognized. No one can tell me that the players listed in this thread already are the only ones that should be on any list. Sorry for the confusion earlier.

I'm really surprised no one is weighing in on any of the other districts. I know the SE would have some very high profile names (David Wright, Mike Cuddyer, BJ and Juston Upton, Jimmy Anderson...just to name a few)

No problem grasscutter. I misinterpreted your post - my apologies.

Chris is correct, there have been some pretty outstanding players come from outside the Beach. Cuddyer, Curtice, Wright, both Uptons and Jimmy Anderson all come to mind quickly.

I'm surprised that Jason Dubois and Mark Reynolds were not mentioned from the Beach.

For Coach Wilson's oldies list, don't forget Ace Parker was the number 1 all time greatest athlete from Portsmouth according to the Va Pilot. The guy is 96 years old, still alive and kicking....mentally sharp and still swings his golf club pretty well.

Actually Dubois and Reynolds were on the initial list. Good call on Curtice though. OK, here's an attempt at the SE. I added a few Greenbrier kids since I was coming up empty. Besides, a lot of those guys played in the SE as well.

RHP Josh Rupe Greenbrier
RHP Justin Orenduff WB
RHP Matt Olsen WB
LHP Jimmy Anderson WB
LHP Clay Rapada DC
LHP John Curtice GB
C Patrick Nichols Greenbrier
1b Shawn O'Dell IR
2b Chris Keenan GB
SS Matt Smith GB
3b David Wright Hickory
LF Justin Upton GB
CF BJ Upton Greenbrier
RF Mike Cuddyer GB

SE District
C-Anthony Shawler
1b-Ryan Pond
2b-Craig Sizemore
ss-Mike Cuddyer
3b-David Wright
of-Dre Bly
of-Justin Upton
of-BJ Upton
p-Jimmy Anderson
p-John Curtis

Dre Bly was not a good baseball player. Great athlete...yes. But, not a baseball player.

John Curtice was not that dominant of an LHP in HS. (Yes, I know he was a 1st rounder) I would imagine there was a better one, though.

Also, you would have to include Manny Upton on that list. He raked.

I would add Brian Anderson into the conversation at catcher/OF. He was 1998 POY and had a good career at GMU and a stint with the Montreal Expos Organization. Craig Sizemore had a very impressive college career, beleive he still holds the all division consecutive games hit streak record. Throw younger brother Scotty in there as well, still with the Tigers organization.

A guy like Rapada brings to mind the difficulty with this topic, although interesting. Clayton wasn't the same pitcher in HS as he is now. He was 79 - 82 and over the top. He REALLY blossomed in college when he started to put on size, length, and dropped arm slot down. Now if you see him pitch he is really nasty. He had a good high school career, but not nearly as dominating as, say, Gary Ward's season last year, or even Brad Partain when he was in HS at the same school as Clay.

There has to be room for Keith McMeans SS Kempsville 1985-86 on any all-time all beach team. He hit .715 as a senior did not K and did not error on a team that went undefeated through the district, won the region, and eventually fell to a great Tucker team on a passed ball. He was VA AAA Player of the Year in both baseball and football in '86. He chose to play football at UVA where he had a strong career there as a defensive back.

Certainly sounds like a strong candidate (and a heck of an athlete), but where would you put him? I can bet he was nowhere near the defensive wizard that Beamer is/was. Besides, I hate to base judgements entirely on HS stats...especially when they are that gaudy. Not making any accusations here but HS stats are VERY suspect at times. Did he play any summer ball? Was McMeans drafted out of HS? I'd think those kind of numbers if legit would've warranted at least a low round selection.

McMeans was not intersted in playing baseball after high school. Not drafted. The topic is All-Time All-District Teams I thought which is about what they did as a high school player. Which is a super topic. I did not see the only 2-time Beach POY Kurt Isenberg on any list. They used to say DJ Dozier could 1 hop the building at Kempsville in BP. Also SS Scott Snead of PA 1984-86 (NCSU) has to be named somewhere. He was tremendous. No Elmore or Abbott from GR??? If it were not for the masterpiece thrown by Jimmy Anderson in the region I think they win it all in 1994 not just 1995. It is not possible for a high school pitcher to throw a better game against a great offensive team than Anderson that night.

If you want to speak of great HS baseball moments, the most exciting thing I saw in recent times was a kid named Frank Berry. One of his defining moments as a HS player.
Frank hit two consecutive GRAND slams, against two different pitchers in the same inning. Frank was playing for FC and if I remember correctly it was against Cox. Mr. Taylor, you could probably verify that.
Frank Berry was drafted (mind you very low) out of high school. He pitched and played short stop, guess that would that make him a possible utility player on a team?

Lynn Metheny
Great to see a lot of these players that are mentioned at the ODU banquet last night.

isenberg(sp?) was a definite top tier talent and an outstanding two way player. I believe he started all four years at FC which doesnt happen terribly often at great programs like that. that adds an interesting career look to this thread.

quote:

Originally posted by 1943 yankees:
If you want to speak of great HS baseball moments, the most exciting thing I saw in recent times was a kid named Frank Berry. One of his defining moments as a HS player.
Frank hit two consecutive GRAND slams, against two different pitchers in the same inning. Frank was playing for FC and if I remember correctly it was against Cox. Mr. Taylor, you could probably verify that.
Frank Berry was drafted (mind you very low) out of high school. He pitched and played short stop, guess that would that make him a possible utility player on a team?

Lynn Metheny
Great to see a lot of these players that are mentioned at the ODU banquet last night.

Yes, of course I remember that game well. Cox jumped out to a lead only to have FC come roaring back and blow out the Falcons to cap off a very frustrating streak of futility against the Patriots (more years than I'd like to count). Interestingly enough though, I do not believe FC has beaten Cox since that game

Once again, If you go strictly by HS stats, the list changes considerably. Frank is not done yet and he could still go on to acomplish much more than those presently on the list. Everyone is welcome to make a list of their own with whatever criteria they'd like to use. I know I'd love to see them

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Taylor:

quote:

Originally posted by 1943 yankees:
If you want to speak of great HS baseball moments, the most exciting thing I saw in recent times was a kid named Frank Berry. One of his defining moments as a HS player.
Frank hit two consecutive GRAND slams, against two different pitchers in the same inning. Frank was playing for FC and if I remember correctly it was against Cox. Mr. Taylor, you could probably verify that.
Frank Berry was drafted (mind you very low) out of high school. He pitched and played short stop, guess that would that make him a possible utility player on a team?

Lynn Metheny
Great to see a lot of these players that are mentioned at the ODU banquet last night.

Yes, of course I remember that game well. Cox jumped out to a lead only to have FC come roaring back and blow out the Falcons to cap off a very frustrating streak of futility against the Patriots (more years than I'd like to count). Interestingly enough though, I do not believe FC has beaten Cox since that game

Once again, If you go strictly by HS stats, the list changes considerably. Frank is not done yet and he could still go on to acomplish much more than those presently on the list. Everyone is welcome to make a list of their own with whatever criteria they'd like to use. I know I'd love to see them

I want to add one to your dream team not sure what year he played but they only had one team and it was the all region and he was selected for third base Tommy Atkinson

Marty McNeill

surely there are others that have and will be left off of this list, but having seen baseball in tidewater for over 40 years and counting... a few names that i have not read would include: Billy Swoope, Towny Townsend, Billy Paschall, Mike Rhodes, Tim Levine, Bobby Harrison, Jerry Crain, Alan Price, and Trey McCoy. With the exception of Towny, all of these players played for Beach high schools. One fairly recent LHP has not been mentioned (?) Justin Jones certainly was as dominating as any pitcher the beach district has ever seen.

Driller,

Was hoping you would add Matt Sinnen to the list. I heard he was pretty good at one time!!!!!

The all-time SE district team has a few notable players that have been overlooked. Scott Sizemore is easily the best of the Sizemore brothers and played a very good 2nd base. Chris Rahl was an all-state ss at both NSA and GB. He wnt on to be CAA player of the year and is still playing in the minors. Trey Collier was a 2 time all-state of. Mike Mitchell from GB is still playing in the Rockies organization. JD Wyatt had a senior year when GB won the State that was the envy of many players.
To include Matt Smith, Chris Keenan, Dre Blye, Shawn O'Dell and Patrick Nicholls in the all time SE Team is not very well thought out!

Thanks Mr Rahl, you obviously have followed the SE district much more closely than I over the years and your son definitely deserves to be on the list. I'd be very interested in seeing the lineup you would put together. Care to give it a try?