I want Names!!!!!

Coached Tyler at the Little league level at MARA. Even at age 12, you could tell this kid had a passion and desire to play the game. Not only is he a great player, but a leader as well. I have never seen a ball player (his age) that wants to excel and play as much as this kid. Fun to watch. He is also one of these kids that uses "Yes Sir" in his vocabulary. Nice job Nick!

 

One kid that I coached against that I will never forget is DJ Scott, a 2007 graduate from Bunn High School. This young man always carried himself, on and off the field, with class. He was the ultimate team player. He pitched, played catcher, played 3rd base, you name it. At the plate he could lay down the sacrifice bunt or hit the home run. Whatever it took to make the team better was his goal. He mostly played 3rd against us and for 4 years we carried on some great conversations while I was in the coaches box. He was always a polite young man who did things the right way.

 

DJ Scott

Coach he is was one heck of a football player too wasnt he? I loved that kid as well. He looked like he couldnt run a lick but he could flat out get down the line. He had a great personality on the field. I will miss that kid as well. I have a great picture of him playing in the 14u AAU Nationals for the Thunder at Sarasota Florida. Its funny how some kids just kind of stick with you over the years and you just never forget them. DJ is one of those guys no doubt.

 

Many too mention...

but have lost contact with most of them! They are stillplaying ball in college minors big leagues I guess and makin a real livin! (((((((((

 

DJ

I heard from DJ's parents this past weekend, through a mutual friend. DJ is a freshman at NC Central and is on the baseball team. I remember DJ from the time he was 11, playing against my son in the Dixie district tournaments and right on through to being on the same Carolina Pilots and Triangle Thunder teams that Coach mentioned. I enjoyed watching him play third more than any player I've ever seen. It sure was fun watching him grow up!

 

I'll throw in for DJ also. Aside from being an extremely good baseball player, he was such a humble and gracious person. You would never guess that a kid with a lineman's body would be such a good athlete. He played 3rd base like someone half his size. I'm excited to know he's still playing.

 

I dont know if this is just me, and i havn't been up there in a few years, but i know alot of qualtiy athletes that play the game the right way that learned their baseball over at MARA. Everyone enjoys little league. I think thats being lost some. Now kids 7 and 8 years old are just playing AAU. I did when i was 10 and 11 but that game wasn't as fun for me so i went back to playing little league at MARA. I played with andrew smith, Justin Schumer, Kevin Shackelford, Will Clayton, Drew Garanger, just to mention a few. I dont know if its a constant they have up there, or if their was a good group of parents at that time that got those kids started off right, but some good talent has come from there.

One of my favorite coaches of all time was one i had over at mara. Coach White. I know Tyler White has been playing away from this area for a while now, but i used to enjoy to watch him play. Coach White always made sure we played the games the right way, and yea almost any coach you ever have will say that. But you could tell, or i could, that he really ment it and it was important to him. He could honestly care less if we won or lost. His attitude and actions spoke louder than words to me. I know this was intended for players, but as a player, i'd just like to give a coach that tought me alot the thanks and prais all us players seem to constantly get. It's nice to know that your hard work is really appreciated, and i dont know if he'll ever read this, but those seasons tought me alot and i always look back at them when i think of where i've come from. Thanks for all you've done.

 

I know Coach White and my son was fortunate to play with his son, Tyler. I have never met a classier young man in my life. Tyler is the original "All-American" man....equally gifted academically, as he is athletically. He has it all!

Matos, you have made Coach White's day. For you to say the things that you have about him is the sole reason he coaches- to make a difference in a young man's life.

 

i really enjoyed watching addison johnson and dj mitchell play. teammates at north forsyth, state games and now at clemson. what really helps is getting to hear dj's granpa at the games. maybe the worlds greatest baseball fan.

 

good ol granpa frank. I can never get enough out of him and Douglas. I remember always seeing him on sunday mornings at the hardees in walnut cove before church. What a great baseball fan