Future varsity team

plays in tournament
By Steve Behr
 
In the last couple of summer seasons, Watauga baseball coach Pete Hardee pretty much knew plenty about the players he was putting on the field. In 2009, it might take him a while just to recognize everybody.

That’s because just one starter from the Pioneers’ 2009 Northwestern 4-A Conference championship team will be playing for Hardee during summer games. Hardee takes his new team, made up of players mostly from the Watauga jayvee team this spring, into action this weekend with two games on Saturday (at noon and 5 p.m.) and two more Sunday (at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.) in the Charlotte Heat Memorial Day Showcase.

All four games, if played, will be at Watauga’s home field. Other tournament games will be played at Watauga’s field, at Smith Stadium at Appalachian State and in Wilkes County.

David Martin, who was the designated hitter and part-time right fielder, is the lone varsity starter returning to play summer baseball at Watauga. However, Martin will be catching this summer as Adam Church, the starter during the prep season, graduates with 11 of his teammates.

The Watauga jayvee team that finished 12-4-1, 9-2-1 NWC was deep in pitching and has the potential to keep the Pioneers close to the top of the new Northwestern 3A-4A Conference next spring.

Hardee is optimistic that with some work against teams with varsity experience, the new Pioneers will have to grow up fast.

“We’re going to do a lot of teaching this summer,” Hardee said. “We’ll really work on our pitching staff. It could be the best we’ve had at Watauga. It’s very deep.”

Not pitching for Watauga this weekend, and not likely to pitch during any weekend this summer, is new staff ace Cal Hardee. Instead, Hardee will be playing for the Dirtbags, an all-star-type team that is associated with IMPACT baseball.

That leaves a gap for a shortstop and a pitcher, which Pete Hardee feels can be filled. Dylan Norris, a rising junior, tossed a no-hitter at Alexander Central last spring, while Ryan Turner, Matt Proffitt, Jake Watts and Ethan Greene also pitched for the jayvee team. Beckett Bathanti, a rising senior, can also pitch.

As far as shortstop goes, Logan Story, Dylan Norris, Ryan Turner and Brian Miller are all middle infielders who will play either shortstop or second base. Ethan Critcher is the third baseman, while varsity backup Ian Stewart and jayvee returner Clint Trivette will play first base.

Garrison McGuire also will see time at catcher.

Josh Roberts will play in left field, while Proffitt and Tyler Jones, a rising freshman, are in center field.

Baker Stanley is slated to play right field. Watauga will be without shortstop Max Linnville, who broke a bone in his hand during practice and could miss four to six weeks.

“I feel good about this team,” Hardee said. “This weekend we’ll see some stiff competition. We’ll see some all-star teams, so I hope our pitching staff can stand up to the test, but I think we’ll be OK.”

Charlotte Heat Showcase
At Watauga High School
Saturday
Noon: Watauga vs. OnDeck Os’ 15-under Orange
2:30 p.m. CBC Diamonds vs. OnDeck Os’ 17-under
5 p.m. Watauga vs. OnDeck Os’ 16-under Black
Sunday’s games:
10 a.m. Watauga vs. Charlotte MegaStars 16-under
12:30 p.m. Heat Showcase Baseball 2011 vs. OnDeck O’s 16-under Orange
3 p.m. South Charlotte Panthers 2011 vs. OnDeck O’s 16-under Black
5:30 p.m. Watauga vs. OnDeck O’s 15-under Black
At Appalachian State
Saturday’s games
9 a.m. CBC Diamond Rats 2010 vs. NC Baseball Academy 2010
11:30 a.m. Heat Showcase Baseball 2010 vs. OnDeck O’s 17-under
2 p.m. NC Baseball Academy 2010 vs. Charlotte MegaStars 18-under
4:30 p.m. Heat Showcase Baseball 2010 vs. South Charlotte Panthers 2010
7 p.m. Charlotte MegaStars 18-under vs. South Charlotte Panthers 2010
Sunday’s games
9 a.m. OnDeck O’s 16-under Orange vs. South Charlotte Panthers 2011
11:30 a.m. OnDeck O’s 16-under Black vs. CBC Diamond Rats 2011
2 p.m. Charlotte