Page 87 - 1980

Play

ball!

f^'W 'his was the hardest-working
^ group of young men I have ever
coached. They were excellent
individuals to work with,” said coach
Deloss Smith.
The highlight of the season was the
pitching of seniors Tim VanCleave,
Bruce Smith and Scott Wells, also
juniors Glenn Carlson and Mike Huff.
Outstanding players were lettermen
Perry Wisemen, catcher and Cornie
Collins All-Star player; Casey Johnson,
center field, Scott Wells, pitcher and
first base, and Ray Lagenza, infield.
MVP was awarded to senior Bruce
Smith.
A win-loss record may be the most
important statistic for some individuals,
but coach Smith believed that it was
much more important to be a part of a
group, to play as a team, to respect
oneself and others, to be able to
compete to the best of one’s ability,
and be able to say “it was fun” after
the season was over.
“Winning the American Conference
Division was the highlight of our
season,” said j.v. coach Curt Shockey
“Because there are no tournaments or
state playoffs for the j.v. players, the
only thing we could have won was the
American Conference. So that was our
goal and we achieved it.”
The two other goals were to prepare
the players for varsity competition and
to teach the players that baseball is not
just a game one plays with a ball, bat,
and glove. The mental aspect of it is
also important.
“The attitude of the ball club was
very good. We had different players
picking up the slack and carrying the
club at different times throughout the
season,” said Shockey. “The primary
function of j.v. baseball is to prepare
the players for the varsity team and I
think the players realized this and that
helped the attitude of our club.
Everybody was there to learn the game
for the future.”
Juniors Tom Brennan and Dirk
Rawson, along with sophomores Rocky
Johnson, Tom Madson, Jim Palensky
and Phil Wiseman were noted for their
outstanding performances during the
season.
OK boya! Coach Smith calls a time out to talk with seniors Tim
VanCleave and Bill Fowler. He gives the boys a few pointers on “1 was very pleased with the j.v.
what pitcher-catcher combinations to use.
players season,” said Shockey. “It was
Hey, how’s It going. C oach? Senior Casey Johnson stops a real privilege for me to be able to
before a varsity practice to talk with junior varsity coach Curt work with the boys.”
Shockey.