American Legion Area IV Eastern/Western Division Play-off Scores

I agree with Hacksaw ... if Wilkes had a better catcher than Brandon York then he must be one of the finest catchers in the SouthEast. Brandon has been the most consistent hitter game in and game out the entire season. His current batting average is .451 and his slugging percentage is .697. If any of you got to see us play Cherryville you would have seen his quick release on his throws. The one thing that he doesn't get credit for in the score book is how well he blocks bad pitches and keeps them in front of him. The other thing I like about York is that he is a great kid who lets his play on the field do the talking. He never runs his mouth to opposing players. I also heard that he lost his father a year or so ago in a tragic automobile wreck involving a drunk driver.

 

I am amazed to see that York made it to Caldwell. Wasn't it like 4 teams had to sign off on him so he could play for Caldwell? He approaches the game solid everynight, that is what I like about him the most, consistent. I see that (29er) stated his batting average, .451 that has to be highly ranked in the state within legion. Where is York going to play Ball at in College or is he already playing somewhere. I would have to say he is close to the best catcher I have seen that plays everynight the 29ers take the field and still can produce the numbers and stats. Looks like York could really play at the D1- and highly ranked D2 schools. I know Brandon's father would love the 29ers and how they play to win everynight. Why did Wilkes release York? anyone know?

Goodluck to everyone

I agree with 29er and Hack

 

I was told York is heading to Campbell University located in central NC. I'm not sure why he isn't headed to a bigger name college unless he didn't get much publicity at West Wilkes High School. I know coming into the season, Caldwell had 2 major areas of concern: Catcher and Shortstop. Ironically, these 2 areas may be our most reliable and productive spots on the defense.

Coach Hamby is known to go outside the county if he has to in order to fill a potential weakness. Last year, he reached into Watauga County and pulled away 2 of the states best pitchers in Josh Leyshon and Chris Nigro. Josh Leyshon finished 2004 with a record of 11 - 0 and should have been the state's MVP had the award not gone to Garner's pitcher Lief Baker who was later declared ineligible.

Coach Hamby had to obtain release papers from both Wilkes County and Taylorsville in order to obtain York. I'm not sure how he persuaded the 2 teams to sign the forms although Taylorsville did owe Caldwell a favor for allowing Scott Hall to leave Caldwell and play in Taylorsville. Hall played for Caldwell several years ago when Taylorsville didn't field a team.

There is no doubt that Caldwell would not be in the position they currently are without the mainstay York in the lineup. There were 2 games that York didn't play in and Caldwell lost both of the games (Caldwell's current record is 31 - 4). If you want to see Caldwell's stats I suggest going to Caldwellbaseball.com. I know the gentlemen (David Parsons) who created this site and he is a class act and does a great job on the site.

 

How do you release a player like this...especially knowing they are going to your competition? :jawomg:

 

Who approved the favor?

Looks like Caldwell County has NO boundries, and the coaches pick what they need. (It must really be tough to play for Kins Mtn. or McDowell, knowing that some teams are pulling in players.)
Nothing aganist any player: this goes aganist the people in charge!

 

Everything I am telling you can be backed up by the York family, anyone inside Taylorsville's legion and Wilkes Co Legion.

Brandon York's late father was a friend and buisness associate of alot of people in Caldwell County as he worked with people in this area. If I am not mistaken, the tragic accident happened on Hwy 18 just outside of Lenoir, and Moravian Falls is not that far from Lenoir. We are not talking about 260 miles here. Brandon befriended several of the Caldwell Legion players during his last years at West Wilkes both on the field and at the State Games. Prior to this season, there was a blowup at the signups for Wilkes Co involving West Wilkes and Wilkes Central coaches. Brandon approached the Caldwell Coaching Staff. Let me make this clear, he was never recruited. Because if he was, how could anyone look the three other catchers (two of which are still around) that were on Caldwell's original roster in the eye after doing something like that? Basically, he said can I play for you and they said sure, but we have to make sure its legal.

As far as this "deal" thing goes, thats total and utter BS. Three years ago, Taylorsville didn't have a program. Scott Hall and Jordan Hefner played for Caldwell. Two years ago, Taylorsville restarted and Hefner went back Hall stayed with Caldwell (they both had an option of doing so). One year ago, Halls senior year, Hall decided he wanted to play with his friends he grew up with one more year. Caldwell signed a release to go back. There was no trade. Brandon York wasn't a player to be named later or anything.

So I have questions. Why is anyone at fault for helping this guy? The young man wanted to play in Caldwell. Is Caldwell supposed to turn him away after all hes been through? What coach (Wilkes, Taylorsville or anywhere else) should stand in his way if he wants to play in Caldwell Co and legally does so?

 

Brandon York's father would be proud of him and all of his accomplishments. Brandon and his father was in a car wreck on Hwy 16 in Wilkes. I got to see Brandon play the other night and I feel that he expresses great skills behind the plate and at the plate. He seems to be a tough out everytime.

Good luck to everyone.

Did Brandon just not get the exposure he needed at West Wilkes? Did his High School coach not get his name out there?

 

Wednesday July 20

Caldwell 5, Shelby 1

Caldwell leads 1-0, Game 2 set for Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium tonight. Doesn't matter who wins, both teams are assured of going to the state tournament in Cherryville.

 

True...but

True...Both teams are going to the playoffs but as a coach you don't want to enter into a State Tournament coming off any type loss and possibly face the same team again in the State playoffs.

This is why I don't really like the best of 5 series for "seeding" purposes (could be another discussion all together)....

 

Shelby 11
Caldwell 0 7inn

Caldwell came out flat and only got 2 hits the whole game. I can tell everyone though the game is going to be alot closer tommor night.