Who do you think will replace Norbie Wilson at First Colonial?
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G Wright!
yellowjacket,
lol, I hope you kidding
lol, I hope you kidding
Bobby Valentine - but who cares - I expect a mass exodous from FC's baseball squad, at least anyone with any talent.
Why will there be a mass exodus from FC's baseball squad?
Those kids don't need Norbie Wilson to win. A lot of those kids have played AAU for years and know how to win whoever they choose for a coach!
Maybe Gary Lavelle. He drove the bus at GBC and their always looking for bus drivers in Va Beach. People would be saying Norbie who?
Norbie is burned out---ask any of his players this year. I think that a lot of them will welcome a change. Doesn't anyone else thing it is funny that Mueller didn't pitch until his senir year. Norbie really missed the boat on that one. I am a former player that always thought that FC was the best program. Still have friends that play for him now and a lot of them don't like his "antics" on and off the field. Have a great retirement Coach!
screwball
Why a mass exodus?
philly,
Why would Gary leave pro ball to coach FC? Sounds like a pipe dream to me.
Why a mass exodus?
philly,
Why would Gary leave pro ball to coach FC? Sounds like a pipe dream to me.
redbird5
maybe because this is his last year in pro ball anyway. You won't see Lavelle at FC. He is more likely to show up at Greenbrer as an assistant while working with our local young players in a new facility
maybe because this is his last year in pro ball anyway. You won't see Lavelle at FC. He is more likely to show up at Greenbrer as an assistant while working with our local young players in a new facility
i have spoken to coach lavelle over the phone about his plans and nowhere did he mention FC...that is completely random. He is trying to decide whether or not to return to GCA as an assistant to Coach T.
How about Tony Guzzo as the next FC coach?
To put it bluntly, this retirement is overdue by a few years. This year's team won on their hearts and desire to win. He and his sidekick were nonexistent in practice situations and missed the boat on many young men. Look at the number of this years players going on to college ball that saw little to no playing time last year or this year. I personally value an evaluation by a college or showcase a bit higher than a burned out high school coach. Mr. Wilson's record is very good, but keep in mind, the talent he has been fed from AAU programs and relocations could make alot of coaches look good. Hate to sound so negative toward the man, and I do hope his retirement goes well, but I have to wonder about the numbers of players that have been negatively impacted by him.
Finally---another person who "sees the light" on Norbie Wilson. Case in point Billie Mueller, player of the year, who was not once given a chance to pitch until his senior year. I know for a fact that his AAU coach told Wilson that
Billie was the best pitcher that FC had last year and Wilson disregarded his advice and he saw not one inning of pitching until this year. What a shame!
Billie was the best pitcher that FC had last year and Wilson disregarded his advice and he saw not one inning of pitching until this year. What a shame!
Hate to sound so negative toward the man?? Sounds more like you enjoyed every minute of it. Guess you feel your son was slighted by Coach Wilson? I'm sure every minute he was sitting on the bench, you were telling him how good he was and how the coach was screwing him over...seen it hundreds of times from LL on up. Think that helped him get any better?
Coach Wilson has given a great deal to baseball in this area, even voluteering his time for various youth and coaches clinics over the years. I'm sure many well respected men in the baseball community (including Jimmy Hunt whom you seem to hold in a little higher regard)will back me up when I say he's left baseball in VA a little better than when he found it. I'd certainly hold a lot more stock in what they say than some digruntled parent.
Coach Wilson has given a great deal to baseball in this area, even voluteering his time for various youth and coaches clinics over the years. I'm sure many well respected men in the baseball community (including Jimmy Hunt whom you seem to hold in a little higher regard)will back me up when I say he's left baseball in VA a little better than when he found it. I'd certainly hold a lot more stock in what they say than some digruntled parent.
Justafan
You're telling me an AAU coach has more creditials then Norbie Wilson.
BTW,
Billy Mueller did'nt even though an inning for the Devil Rays during the fall. The devil rays also had 4 or 5 beach pitchers.
How can you say Billy was the best pitcher on a team in 2003 that had Hall, Allred, and Winfree
You're telling me an AAU coach has more creditials then Norbie Wilson.
BTW,
Billy Mueller did'nt even though an inning for the Devil Rays during the fall. The devil rays also had 4 or 5 beach pitchers.
How can you say Billy was the best pitcher on a team in 2003 that had Hall, Allred, and Winfree
Em,
What do credentials have to do with anything? Credentials don't evaluate talent.
90plus,
Guzz will not be a HS coach.
What do credentials have to do with anything? Credentials don't evaluate talent.
90plus,
Guzz will not be a HS coach.
red: Mueller does not come close to 90 mph. and besides if that was the case why does he going to be a walk on at odu????? 90mph would warrant a scholarship to anywhere.....
Warrior,
I never said he did. I never said anything about Mueller. I only commented on this topic to Eminem.
I never said he did. I never said anything about Mueller. I only commented on this topic to Eminem.
Redbird,
Maybe Gary is tired of riding a bus, being away from family...and just wants to be home. That's what he told my spouse and I.
Maybe Gary is tired of riding a bus, being away from family...and just wants to be home. That's what he told my spouse and I.
phillyfan,
You may be right. I dunno.
You may be right. I dunno.
On your post concerning Norbie's credentials. Yes, i believe that there a quite a few AAU coaches that have far better credentials than Norbie and know a lot more baseball than he does. If he was the greatest thing since sliced bread concerning baseball in this area, why did he remain a high school coach for 26 years and not move on to collegiate coaching. Like my post earlier in this discussion, I don't think many of his players are sorry to see him leave. What does this tell you about him? Great person---burned out high school coach!
red
Why should Norbie listen to an AAU coach. AAU coaches only coach because their son is on the team.
When it comes to evaluating talent i'd rather have a man who's been coaching for 30 years, won over a dozen beach district titles and a state title, then some AAU coach
Norbie is the head coach, that's his program, and if he thought other pitchers were better, then he should pitch the other pitchers.
BTW , Warrior
Mueller doesn't throw 80 let alone 90
Why should Norbie listen to an AAU coach. AAU coaches only coach because their son is on the team.
When it comes to evaluating talent i'd rather have a man who's been coaching for 30 years, won over a dozen beach district titles and a state title, then some AAU coach
Norbie is the head coach, that's his program, and if he thought other pitchers were better, then he should pitch the other pitchers.
BTW , Warrior
Mueller doesn't throw 80 let alone 90
From the sound of it I guess Norbie must have won those 400+ games and the regular season district championship by accident.
Just once...just once mind you I would love to see one of these know everything parents and psuedo baseball gurus quit their day job and become a high school coach. Coach a competitive team and make decisions on the spot and be right 100% of the time. Just once.
Norbie Wilson has had a great career and done a tremendous service to hundreds of kids.
Norbie Wilson has had a great career and done a tremendous service to hundreds of kids.
Isn't AAU where everybody pays and everybody plays by regulation? 400+ wins and the kids won every one of them and Norbie gets credit for every loss. Again let the AAU guys get into competitive high school coaching and see how they do and better still coach somebody elses kids besides your own.
AAU has killed the skill level and TEAM atmosphere of basketball and you are starting to see the same in baseball. Its no longer "how is the team doing" its "when do I get to play".
AAU has killed the skill level and TEAM atmosphere of basketball and you are starting to see the same in baseball. Its no longer "how is the team doing" its "when do I get to play".
Local8SS,
I have to agree w/ you on some points & disagree on others.
I agree w/ you on Coach Wilson's distingished career & the good he's done w/ young men on the FCHS, Commonwealth East squad, Tidewater Drillers among others. Not counting the time spent, on his yearly developmental clinics & AAU 16 & under National Tournament held in Tidewater three years ago. He will truly be missed.
I also agree, that anyone that's ever coached between the lines is the major malfunction when things go wrong & the players had the talent when all is well.
But I have to strongly disagree that AAU baseball "has killed the skill level". If anything its "raised the bar" for talent level. I understand that today's product may be watered down from a few years ago but all you have to do is look at the current players that are having success at the college level(CAA player of the year/All American - Chris Rahl, Team USA candidate - Ryan Zimmerman, among others & professional level (1st round draft picks - Michael Cuddyer, B.J. Upton, David Wright, Matt Moses & others currently playing pro ball) & projected '05 1st rounders (Upton & Bristow). What each have in common is that they have played w/ strong AAU programs. They each knew that you can't bring your game to the next level without playing against higher competition. AAU offered this. I know AAU baseball has its flaws, but a lot of high school coaches are thankful for what it done for their programs.
I have to agree w/ you on some points & disagree on others.
I agree w/ you on Coach Wilson's distingished career & the good he's done w/ young men on the FCHS, Commonwealth East squad, Tidewater Drillers among others. Not counting the time spent, on his yearly developmental clinics & AAU 16 & under National Tournament held in Tidewater three years ago. He will truly be missed.
I also agree, that anyone that's ever coached between the lines is the major malfunction when things go wrong & the players had the talent when all is well.
But I have to strongly disagree that AAU baseball "has killed the skill level". If anything its "raised the bar" for talent level. I understand that today's product may be watered down from a few years ago but all you have to do is look at the current players that are having success at the college level(CAA player of the year/All American - Chris Rahl, Team USA candidate - Ryan Zimmerman, among others & professional level (1st round draft picks - Michael Cuddyer, B.J. Upton, David Wright, Matt Moses & others currently playing pro ball) & projected '05 1st rounders (Upton & Bristow). What each have in common is that they have played w/ strong AAU programs. They each knew that you can't bring your game to the next level without playing against higher competition. AAU offered this. I know AAU baseball has its flaws, but a lot of high school coaches are thankful for what it done for their programs.
There sure seem to be a lot of people who post on this board who think that AAU basebll is heads above any other type of organized ball. Around here, we call AAU baseball...."Daddy Ball"
I don't know Norbie Wilson...as a matter of fact I have never met him or watched him coach a game. However, I cannot believe that any man that has coached as long as he has and has the kind of record that he has, is a poor coach as some people seem to have posted on this site. He surely must have done something right. You don't compile wins and championships like he seems to have done... by chance. Sounds to me like there are some disgruntled parents. I have been around the game long enough to know that those parents who complain the loudest are the ones who have little to contribute constructively to the game. And they are the same parents who blame every loss on the coach. Tiresome!!!
I don't know Norbie Wilson...as a matter of fact I have never met him or watched him coach a game. However, I cannot believe that any man that has coached as long as he has and has the kind of record that he has, is a poor coach as some people seem to have posted on this site. He surely must have done something right. You don't compile wins and championships like he seems to have done... by chance. Sounds to me like there are some disgruntled parents. I have been around the game long enough to know that those parents who complain the loudest are the ones who have little to contribute constructively to the game. And they are the same parents who blame every loss on the coach. Tiresome!!!
I agree, Coach Wilson has contributed to baseball just like hundreds of other high school coaches in the state. AAU baseball used to be for better players 10-12 years ago, but nowadays, every father who has a son who is not playing, goes and starts his own team for his kid, and that has watered down the entire program of AAU.
I personally think that AAU is very overrated and that the kids mentioned above did not need AAU to improve. Dont pat yourself on the back too much. Those kids all had God given talent. They did work and developed that talent, but is AAu the reason, I think not. It is a parents organization that somebody has gotten rich from.
I personally think that AAU is very overrated and that the kids mentioned above did not need AAU to improve. Dont pat yourself on the back too much. Those kids all had God given talent. They did work and developed that talent, but is AAu the reason, I think not. It is a parents organization that somebody has gotten rich from.
I said AAU had killed the skill level of basketball and its going to do the same for baseball. No one really believes that basketball today is played better than it was 10-15 years ago do they. Kids can't shoot or play good defense. In baseball kids will see the same thing in time. You get better by playing and playing a lot. Not 3 innings per game. You get better by playing people bigger, stronger and faster than you not just people the same age as you. When the AAU Coach/Dad tells his own son he's not good enough to play (and Dad still coaches the rest of the team) THEN I will believe AAU is concerned with good baseball development. I agree with the other poster...AAU and private coaching is about the $$$$$$$$$$$$. Tell people what they want to hear as long as the checks keep coming.
va,
I agree that all those kids have God given talent. But at least in Tidewater before AAU you got 16 - 18 Rec league games & maybe half a dozen All Star games if you were lucky. Not much of an opportunity to improve your game or level of competition. Something that you & Local 8SS both mentioned was the $$$$$$$. Things must have really changed if the AAU coaches are getting paid. Hearing that makes me wish I'd have stayed with it longer. Again things must have changed, but the AAU coaches I've known, sons' are all playing college baseball currently. I guess someone else saw something special besides "daddy". That can't be it. Must mean "daddy" is either an alumni or big "program" contributor.
This debate is surely a topic that could be debated on another thread. But, like I said, its not perfect, & the travel expenses & fund raising can be a pain in the neck but it is the best option around for high level competition for players thru age 16.
I agree that all those kids have God given talent. But at least in Tidewater before AAU you got 16 - 18 Rec league games & maybe half a dozen All Star games if you were lucky. Not much of an opportunity to improve your game or level of competition. Something that you & Local 8SS both mentioned was the $$$$$$$. Things must have really changed if the AAU coaches are getting paid. Hearing that makes me wish I'd have stayed with it longer. Again things must have changed, but the AAU coaches I've known, sons' are all playing college baseball currently. I guess someone else saw something special besides "daddy". That can't be it. Must mean "daddy" is either an alumni or big "program" contributor.
This debate is surely a topic that could be debated on another thread. But, like I said, its not perfect, & the travel expenses & fund raising can be a pain in the neck but it is the best option around for high level competition for players thru age 16.
How can anyone say that playing over 90 games a year does not help a kid. My grandson played with the Tidewater Drillers---a class act organization. Competing with players all over the country--traveling and being able to practice year round in indoor facilities sure did not hurt his ability to play! I also want to point out that the Drillers charge a nominal fee and the money and offer a scholarship program. Don't generalize about AAU oranizations that you know nothing about. I can also say that the son's of most of the Drillers coaches did not need their Daddy to form a team for them to play on. They are top players on their own merit. Most coaches sons are better because they have a father that spends a great deal of time helping their child excel! What do you see wrong with that?
Eminem,
Not all AAU coaches are incompetant dads(just like not all HS coaches are incompetant). Many of the AAU coaches have helped develop much of the talent you have read about. I know these guys and they are very knowledgable baseball people.
Don't mistake the ability to manage with talent evaluation. They are 2 separate skills that not all people possess. I guess you'll understand it as you get older.
To all,
Norbie's record speaks for itself. Some teams get talent and have nothing to show for it. Others can manage it. To discredit Norbie's accomplishments, shows your lack of knowledge. Best of luck Coach.
Not all AAU coaches are incompetant dads(just like not all HS coaches are incompetant). Many of the AAU coaches have helped develop much of the talent you have read about. I know these guys and they are very knowledgable baseball people.
Don't mistake the ability to manage with talent evaluation. They are 2 separate skills that not all people possess. I guess you'll understand it as you get older.
To all,
Norbie's record speaks for itself. Some teams get talent and have nothing to show for it. Others can manage it. To discredit Norbie's accomplishments, shows your lack of knowledge. Best of luck Coach.
AAU is Daddy Ball?? Not on our team. These are stats from last weekend’s state tourney where we went 7-0 (currently 27-1 on the year), outscored our opponents 88-14, and await the winner of the loser’s bracket in the finals. You’ll note that the mgr’s son (not my son) had the 2nd highest BA, and interestingly also played the 3rd fewest innings. AAU, like anything else, is what you make of it. It gives the kids the opportunity to play more games against better competition. My son is certainly a better player because of it
1 - BA .353, 8BB, 1HBP , IP-35
Mgr’s son - BA .625, IP-29
2 - BA .350, 2BB, IP-34
3 - BA .474, 3BB, IP-36
4 - BA .308, 1BB, IP-25
5 - BA .294, 4BB, 2HBP, IP-31
6 - BA .529, 1BB, IP-31
7 - BA .545, 4BB, 1HBP, IP-30
8 - BA .421, 9BB, IP-35
9 - BA .250, 1HBP, IP-26
10 - BA .500, 2BB, IP-31
11 - BA .714, 2BB, IP-36
1 - BA .353, 8BB, 1HBP , IP-35
Mgr’s son - BA .625, IP-29
2 - BA .350, 2BB, IP-34
3 - BA .474, 3BB, IP-36
4 - BA .308, 1BB, IP-25
5 - BA .294, 4BB, 2HBP, IP-31
6 - BA .529, 1BB, IP-31
7 - BA .545, 4BB, 1HBP, IP-30
8 - BA .421, 9BB, IP-35
9 - BA .250, 1HBP, IP-26
10 - BA .500, 2BB, IP-31
11 - BA .714, 2BB, IP-36
Redbird
why are you picking me out
Have I offended you in someway
High School coaches must apply for the job
AAU coaches don't
why are you picking me out
Have I offended you in someway
High School coaches must apply for the job
AAU coaches don't
Eminem,
No, you haven't offended me at all. You just paint with a very broad brush that isn't totally accurate. That's all.
No, you haven't offended me at all. You just paint with a very broad brush that isn't totally accurate. That's all.
Driller,
Your an AAU coach and have been for many years. Care to comment on the discussion about AAU and how some board members thinks it is for daddies to get playing time for their son.
Your an AAU coach and have been for many years. Care to comment on the discussion about AAU and how some board members thinks it is for daddies to get playing time for their son.
redbird,
Personally I think the student deserves a response from this posting. The cat seems to have the "birds" tongue. What gives? At least an apology!
Redbird what is hipocrisy?
I believe the word your looking for is hypocrisy
Here's a site for the definition www.dictionary.com
I believe a synonym for hypocrisy is double standards
Here's a double standard
Kellam fans are allowed to support their coach and Cox fans can't support theirs. Cox fans can't even support themselves. This is all according to your logic.
By the way you might want to ask coach jones if he can count.
I think the kid's not off base on this one!
Personally I think the student deserves a response from this posting. The cat seems to have the "birds" tongue. What gives? At least an apology!
Redbird what is hipocrisy?
I believe the word your looking for is hypocrisy
Here's a site for the definition www.dictionary.com
I believe a synonym for hypocrisy is double standards
Here's a double standard
Kellam fans are allowed to support their coach and Cox fans can't support theirs. Cox fans can't even support themselves. This is all according to your logic.
By the way you might want to ask coach jones if he can count.
I think the kid's not off base on this one!
redbird,
What gives you the authority to say I'm not accurate
I think estimators right. Your nothing but a trouble-maker
For some reason my post have offended nobody but you
If you don't like what I have to say don't read it
What gives you the authority to say I'm not accurate
I think estimators right. Your nothing but a trouble-maker
For some reason my post have offended nobody but you
If you don't like what I have to say don't read it
phillyfan,
Sorry. I was away for the weekend and didn't check the post. To be honest, I forgot about it but here is my response...
Yes, I misspelled hypocrisy. Sorry.
I don't see that as hypocritical or a double standard. To me, it is apples and oranges. The Kellam debacle and subsequent defense of Coach Jones is nothing like a preseason bragging.
Em,
What give me the authority? The same "authority" you have to voice your opinion. You are saying an AAU coach cannot evaluate talent as well as a HS coach. If I recall correctly, Towny was an AAU coach prior to being a HS coach. Once he became a HS coach, did he suddenly become a better coach? I know plenty of AAU coaches whose opinion I trust more than HS coaches when it comes to baseball. It is not an intended slam on HS coaches but I am just letting you know this area has some smart baseball people not coaching HS.
How many times do I have to say you didn't offend me? Just because someone disagrees with you, does not make it a war. Relax, man.
Sorry. I was away for the weekend and didn't check the post. To be honest, I forgot about it but here is my response...
Yes, I misspelled hypocrisy. Sorry.
I don't see that as hypocritical or a double standard. To me, it is apples and oranges. The Kellam debacle and subsequent defense of Coach Jones is nothing like a preseason bragging.
Em,
What give me the authority? The same "authority" you have to voice your opinion. You are saying an AAU coach cannot evaluate talent as well as a HS coach. If I recall correctly, Towny was an AAU coach prior to being a HS coach. Once he became a HS coach, did he suddenly become a better coach? I know plenty of AAU coaches whose opinion I trust more than HS coaches when it comes to baseball. It is not an intended slam on HS coaches but I am just letting you know this area has some smart baseball people not coaching HS.
How many times do I have to say you didn't offend me? Just because someone disagrees with you, does not make it a war. Relax, man.