The Docs almost forced their way into the final day of the 2009 American Legion State Tournament in Corvallis, but in the end, the over-
achieving team from
Roseburg survived the bracket long enough to serve as the last big hurdle for
Richey's Market to clear en route to the regional tournament.
The 2009
Roseburg American Legion Baseball Team went from appearing to expect things to be handed to them at the beginning of the season to a team that clearly understood the benefits of hard work.
In the end, this team took on the personality that every sports fan hopes to see: a team that fulfills their potential and challenges for the title.
Roseburg became a threat to the post-season plans of
Medford and Corvallis.
Both teams beat the Docs, but they also had to admit that the team they saw in the tournament was far more formidable than the team they saw during the regular season.
So, who made the biggest strides?
1) Chris Case - My favorite story of the season. Case went from pitching 3 innings for
Roseburg High in the spring and a surprise addition to the Docs' roster to Scott Shaver's starter in Area 4 contests. Case wasn't tremendously effective early, but Coach Shaver's confidence in him paid off when Case shut
Klamath Falls down in the deciding third game of the playoffs. Case actually topped that performance with a complete game shutout against Wilson in the third game of the tournament.
Case's confidence was apparent in Corvallis, where he was relaxed and seemed to expect to have success. He bloomed right in front of us. He really went from almost total unknown to a star on this team. Who knows how those two starts change his life? In ten years he might point to this summer as a critical time of his life. I have a story like that. Maybe Chris does now, too.
2) Brandon Jackson -
BJ became the most effective pitcher the Docs had this summer, but it wasn't obvious until his amazing (and risky) run through the middle of the Area 4 schedule. Brandon produced a complete game win against Grants Pass in the sweep in
Roseburg, then demanded the ball for the first game against Eugene just a few days later. He was going against the advice of his own dad on that one, but produced another complete game win. Next, he wanted the ball again the next Tuesday for the doubleheader against
Klamath Falls. With both his dad and Coach Shaver watching for any indication of a problem, Brandon issued his third straight complete game win, single-
handedly dragging the Docs out of the cellar and back into the playoff race. He felt a little twinge in his fourth straight league start and - to his credit - shut himself down after one inning.
People can say what they want about the fact that Brandon got the ball four straight times, but he also proved what he is capable of this summer. Now if he could just get through the first inning without giving up runs in order to get 'in the zone'...
3) Cameron
Newell - Cameron was a quiet contributor to the
Roseburg Indians' run to the state title game and kept up his steady performance for the Docs this summer. His calm demeanor and solid work ethic made him a crucial part of this team - and has drawn the attention of some pretty prominent college coaches.
4) Bo
Younker - Did Bo bloom this summer or just not realize the quality of pitching changed after the 2A/1A state championship?
Younker already signed with Western Oregon and Coach Robbins must be glad, because Bo just crushed pitching this season, to the tune of nearly 50 RBIs (in 37 games). He might be the next big-time athlete in the line of Jamie Burke/Ole Sheldon/Troy
Polamalu/Josh
Bidwell.
5) Jared
Stoffal - In the state tournament, Jared was the Docs most consistent offensive threat. He homered against Wilson and played a very solid third base (even though he's a second baseman and shortstop for Douglas).
Stoffal is another quality switch-hitting opposite-field hitter who can take that approach to hitting to the next level after high school. 2009 must have been a much more enjoyable season for Jared, who looked like he struggled to get comfortable last year.
There are similar stories for other players who were critical contributors to the Docs this season, but more or less fulfilled their expected roles.
AJ Royal, Mitch Huff, Jordan Guthrie, Austin Stone, Johnny
Farrington and Vince
Ampi provided the heart and soul of this team. The team took on Royal's personality and loose approach, which probably drove Coach Shaver a bit batty at times, but he knew trying to force the team to change would have a been a bad idea. Mitch showed his value - and maturity - by agreeing to pitch for the Docs when things were at their worst. He deserved better than he got with a couple of late league losses, but also got the save in the clincher at
Klamath Falls. He is a dedicated baseball player who is also destined for success in college. Jordan Guthrie will go to Shasta College in northern California in the fall. In college, guys like Guthrie are tested through less-than-friendly means. Guthrie is such a nice kid I hope his toughness comes out because at some point soon, he's gonna have to dig very deep to stay in the game. That doesn't mean I don't absolutely love Jordan, it only means that life gets
alot more serious for athletes after they leave high school.
Austin Stone also provided the Docs with a steady hand at second. He provided a hit per game and few mistakes at second base while going about his business with pride every day.
Austin's a solid ballplayer - and a better person. I can't wait to see whats next for him.
Johnny
Farrington and Vince
Ampi go into the same category for me: Total Baseball Junkies.
I really hope both of these guys get the chance to play this game for a lot of years to come. Some coach somewhere is going to discover the pure talent these two guys possess - thanks to tremendous amounts of dedication to and respect for the game.
Matt Thompson was one of the
Roseburg Indians who had big expectations on him coming into the summer. Despite his best efforts, Thompson never quite got over the hump, but he's going to play at Western Oregon in the fall and I think he'll be in the line of Nick
Waechter and Blake
Keitzman - pitchers who wind up getting some big-time attention from the big boys.
For the rest of the players - Dakota
Cavens, Austin Marsh, Sky Woods, Derek Priestley, Kyle
Jaukkuri and
Bryson Norton - the season was a mix of hard work, dedication and sacrifice without the payoff of a big moment in the sun. Some fought injuries or sickness or struggles on the field. Others knew playing time was going to be limited, but stuck it out anyway. Docs fans appreciate you guys, too.
One more personal note from me as one season ends and football is set to begin.
Thank you to the parents and players and coaches and fans who consider me part of the team.
I was never quite good enough to be a contributing factor on a good team as a kid.
In fact, I was usually the last guy taken, the last to play and the first to be teased by other kids.
I loved the games, but wasn't particularly strong, quick or tough. I was also extremely proud to be on any team I happened to make. I was the kid who wore his jersey top to school or practice the day after they were handed out, despite the specific instructions against such a choice in apparel. I was just so happy to be identified with a team - I couldn't help myself.
Well, that same pride comes over me when people associate me so closely with a team.
Even though I'm all grown up, being part of the
Roseburg teams has always been a source of great pride. Thank you for telling me you heard me say this or that and thank you for making me feel like 'part of the team'.
Brian
