Senior Farewells

He's a cutie shrap....but the one who loses is you. He could have easily beaten Michael Phelps in swimming; maybe even a bong. Just think...he coulda made you rich!!!! But you cast him away like a 3-eyed iguana

 

Tried that. he was deathly afraid of water. And hoop cheese.

His first love was baseball. Couldn't hit a lick, caught more balls with his face than his glove, threw like he was trying to keep an orange stuck under his armpit. Alas, an athlete, he is not.

 

I really enjoyed watching Ryan play throughout his career - I even remember him pitching as a freshman against Conley in the state title game - pretty heady stuff for a freshman. He did great this season coming back from an injury. He could have come in struggling at the plate, he had a sweet swing that seemed to just make hard outs. But he never quit and before you know he was spraying doubles to all fields. How many multi-hit games did he have? Would have loved to see his stats if he could have played all season.

I hope to catch some of his games with Post 87 this summer.

and glad to see lots of other Tiger seniors (Walters, Coffey, Brandenburg, Andrejco, Whited and maybe Bright?) playing legion ball.

As for those other Ragsdale seniors -

Nick McBride was amazing this season. Last year he seemed to have as many walks as strikeouts. This year he was lights out. He was ALWAYS in command from the start to the end. That perfect game against Randleman was a thing of beauty. Pretty stout from the plate as well - I think he led the team in RBIs. I wish him luck in the majors or ECU - wherever he decides to go.

Kyle Brandenburg had a phenomenal senior season. .481 BA, 40 runs scored, 39 hits (tied school record), 9 doubles, 3 triples and only six strikeouts. Campbell is getting a helluva player.

David Coffey made a big comeback after having arm problems last year. 8-1 and a no hitter against Joyner and Norhern Nash. I firmly believe if he had stayed in against Parkland he and Ragsdale would have found a way to win and they may still be playing. I think I heard he will be going to UNC on an academic scholarship but he surely could have pitched for many schools had he chose to play ball.

Joe Bright did himself proud starting in left field this year. He had speed on the basepaths, made plays in the field and batted .342. Glad he did well once he had the chance to start.

David Desjardins just never found many innings to pitch with Coffey, McBride and Hixson pitching so well all year but players like that who practice everyday are the ones that make their teammates better.

And I can't leave out Alex Walters (AWALL). He didn't get a chance to finish the season for the team but his dad was there every game keeping stats and at least Alex hit that one blast so I could give him a new nick name - AWALKOFF.

Lots of talent in this class - I think they won 20 games all four years. Best of luck to all of them.

 

Fairmont High School Seniors

I love them all and will truely miss them.

Michael Bass, my son, has made me so proud. He is not perfect, as he showed tonight, but he has given everything he has to the game. He is a 4-year Varsity starter, starting and batting leadoff in every game of his HS career. We will attend UNC-W to play baseball and get a degree in Biology with the intention of going into some sort of medical field.

Justin Britt has also been a varsity player for 4 years. He has been called upon to play every position on the field except catcher. Even with a hurt ankle he was too valuable to take out of the game so he played first. He has signed with Southeastern Community College.

Will Graham is a 3-year starting varsity player. He is another one that does what he has to do for the team. He started as a catcher and first baseman but made the switch to second after a few games this season because that is where the coach needed him. He plans to attend NC State because that is where he wants to go to college even though he could play somewhere at the next level.

Michael Baty is a 2-year varsity starter in the outfield. Very good hitter by just putting the ball in play. He is the kind of player every coach would love. He will attend UNC-P.

These guys have played together since Dixie Youth days. They lead by example, and with class, not loud or over emotional. Tears flowed tonight, parents, fans, players and coaches, not because we lost, but because is was the last time these boys will play together. They have stuck together even in the lean times of years passed and exceeded all expectations this year. The whole Fairmont community is very proud of these boys.

 

Since we are eliminated now it.....

......is my turn. I had to go through this last year when my son, Scott McIntosh, graduated from Greenville Rose and ended his baseball playing days (he is now a sophmore at ECU and coaches a 13 year old Babe Ruth Prep baseball team).

Now my other son, Paul McIntosh, is graduating from Rose in a couple of weeks and Sanderson's win yesterday ended his playing days. He has taken me on such a wild ride with his pitching, a whole bunch of wins and relatively few loses over the years even though a lot of people felt he would never pitch effectively, especially at the high school level, because "he was not fast enough." As a 14 yr old he had to overcome surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee. The next year as a 15 yr old he won the district, state and southeast regional championship game for his Babe Ruth All-Star team and was the first pitcher (from what I have been told) from Greenville to win a game in the Babe Ruth World Series. Last year as a junior at Rose he pitched a complete game win over Kell in the clinching game of the 4A state championship. He has had a few D1 and lower offers to continue pitching in college and we so appreciate those schools' interest. However he has decided that his dream was to attend UNC-Chapel Hill so that is where he is headed as a college student.

I just want to thank my two sons for all the hard work that put into baseball (and academics) over the years that has given me such joy and pride. I only wonder why did these years go by so fast?

 

A Father's Love

Great post Doc.

 

Goodbye and Good Luck!

There are just so many young men that are graduating this year, that it's going to be hard remembering them all. My son has played baseball since he was 5, and we have met and played with so many fine young men over the past 12 years. Of course his teammates at Ragsdale High School, I've personally known all of you since you were all 6. I've taken you home, provided snacks and drinks, been the "mom" when it may have been needed. I'm going to miss you all so much, it will never be the same without all of you here. But life is about change, and I know all of you will be successful in college and most importantly life. Next, the men on the Dirtbags. I've only known you for 2-3 years, but I've spent a lot of time with you on the road,playing here and there, and I've gotten to know some of you pretty well. You too, will be a success wherever you go. I would be extremely proud to call each and everyone of you my son. As I look to the next year when my own son will be a senior, I can only hope he exemplifies the character and leadership you all have shown this past year. So, it is with many tears and a happy heart I say Goodbye!
Lots of love- Shaune Anderson

 

Wow

seems like only yesterday these kids were swinging at this big white ball on a tee. This is for all of them. Congrats guys. Job well done. For many this was their last year, they will hit the field as a player. Some will find themselves playing for the next level, some will play club ball . While others will just have memories. A few will try to walk on. And some will start to live thur adult softball leagues. This game is about teaching them life. How to step up to the plate, take your swings. Not fearing the pitcher on the mound. Regardless who is out there. Working hard at your position. Back up other players to help the team more forward. All about life so.....
CONGRATS !!!!!!!