Baseball

JAKE FINCHER SET TO JOIN THE WOLFPACK

Providence High School junior baseball player Jake Fincher will continue a long tradition in the Fincher family with his recent commitment to The North Carolina State University baseball team.  The strong hitting, slick fielding middle infielder reached a life long goal in choosing the Wolfpack over Tennessee, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Appalachian State. He explains his decision, "I chose the Wolfpack because it is where I felt most comfortable and it has been my dream school since my sister has been going to school there. She will be a junior at State next year. I also have 3 cousins that went there and my aunt and uncle went to State. So I have a lot of blood through NC State."(complete story)

CASEY POWERS IS LEARNING ABOUT LIFE FROM HIS FRIEND JACOB

Casey Powers is an outgoing 11th grade football player at Ardrey Kell High School. He holds a spot on the school honor roll and he hopes to attend Notre Dame following his senior season.  He enjoys many sports, he makes good grades, he has his act together as many would say.   His parents Kevin and Katie Powers have provided a great support system and taught him many life lessons.  Over the last year, Casey has learned one of the biggest lessons in life from a nine year old boy named Jacob Barman.(complete release)

JOSHUA PEDERSEN AND THE GAME OF BASEBALL

Most everyone that has ever enjoyed playing the game of baseball will tell you that many of the happiest moments of their lives came while wearing a baseball uniform.  This is very true for 11 year old Joshua Pedersen.  The son of David and Mari Pedersen may not run as fast as most 11 year olds or hit the ball as far, but very few baseball players are able to find the amount of joy in the game that Joshua  has found as a member of the Challenger Baseball Program at WCWAA.(complete story)

MATT PEARSON OVERCOMES ARM INJURY TO RETURN TO THE MOUND

After many years of playing successful baseball, the last thing a high school pitcher wants to feel is arm pain.  Unlike a broken bone or a bruise, arm pain can’t be seen, it can only be felt.  Charlotte Christian baseball player Matt Pearson learned first hand what arm pain felt like last season.(complete story)

BUTLER’S RYAN MAS TO PITCH FOR UNC CHARLOTTE NEXT SEASON

After many years of hard work, Butler High School senior Ryan Mas has earned a scholarship opportunity to play baseball for the UNC-Charlotte Forty-Niners.  The seventeen year old son of Christopher and Linda Mas will take to the pitcher’s mound at UNC-Charlotte following his senior season for the Butler Bulldogs.(complete story)

LOGAN RATLEDGE CASTS HIS FUTURE WITH THE WOLFPACK

Seventeen year old Ardrey Kell High School baseball player Logan Ratledge has never been one to sit around and wait on things to happen.  The son of Lisa Ratledge and AJ Wright has made an early commitment to attend North Carolina State University on a baseball scholarship.   In spite of only entering into his junior year, Logan elected to accept an early offer from The Wolfpack and enjoy his last two seasons of high school.(complete story)

JACK REINHEIMER TO CARRY HIS BAT AND GLOVE TO EAST CAROLINA NEXT SEASON

Seventeen year old rising Ardrey Kell High School senior Jack Reinheimer has chosen The East Carolina Pirates as his home for college baseball.  After a busy spring and summer of baseball, the talented shortstop chose to jump aboard the Pirates Ship and help them continue their pursuit of a place in the College World Series.  The son of Bonnie Dann and Paul Reinheimer has played a key role in helping Ardrey Kell advance to the North Carolina 4A State Championship Series two years in a row.(complete story)

THE JOY OF COACHING A 6U ALL STAR BASEBALL TEAM

As the dad of a little boy that simply loves baseball, it should come as no surprise that I love coaching the game.  Since Tyler first picked up a bat at age 3 and started tee ball at four, baseball has been a huge part of life in the Roakes house.   I always enjoyed playing baseball as a child, but Tyler seems to show a few more skills than I did at that age.    Following our rec league season, we decided to build a couple of all star teams and give 24 kids a chance to play 6U summer baseball.(complete story)

TYLER ZUPCIC WAS BORN TO PLAY BASEBALL

Believe it or not, Providence High School senior Tyler Zupcic was not born with a baseball in his hand, it only seems that way.  The 17 year old son of Bob and Becky Zupcic has become one of the top baseball players in the state.  Following graduation next month, Tyler will head to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC to continue his baseball career.(complete story)

A JOURNEY TO FIND SUCCESS FOR NICK FORST

On a cold March evening in 2004, life changed for current Ardrey Kell High School baseball pitcher Nick Forst.  The now 16 year old son of Mike and Lisa Forst was enjoying a baseball practice just weeks before opening day when he was struck in the left temple by a hit baseball.   Nick’s coach had just called him in from the field for batting practice.  As he was running behind third base, the third baseman missed a line shot which proceeded to hit Nick.(complete story)

SOMEBODY’S HERO

Everyone needs a hero at some point in their life.  For Rhonda Hayden, her hero came three years ago in the form of her son, Jack Madden.   Jack is now a 12 year old sixth grader at Community House Middle School with a passion for the game of baseball.  A few years ago, he was an elementary student whose mother had just been diagnosed with Stage Three Breast Cancer.(complete story)

DANNY VLIET CHOOSES UNC ASHEVILLE TO CONTINUE HIS BASEBALL CAREER

All the year round hard work on the baseball diamond has paid off for

Charlotte Catholic left handed pitcher Danny Vliet.  After a successful summer of baseball, Danny has accepted an offer to continue his education and baseball career at The University of North Carolina Asheville.  Danny is a three year letterman in baseball for the Cougars, and a two-time All-Conference Selection.  In 2008, he was named to the Region 6 team for State Games of North Carolina.(complete story)

MARA 11U All-STARS GRAB STATE TITLE

July 16, 2008 -- The MARA (Matthews Athletic Recreation Association) 11U American League All-Stars are on their way to the Cal Ripkin Baseball Southeast Regional Finals in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The tournament, taking place July 24-29, will feature champions from Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, and North and South Carolina. The MARA All-Stars earned their bid by capturing the Western North Carolina State Championship last week at Indian Trail. (complete story)

PINEVILLE POST 337 AMERICAN LEGION TEAM REPRESENTS THE AREA WELL

The Pineville Post 337 American Legion Team may be the best kept secret in Charlotte baseball circles this summer.  With a team full of talented players, Pineville has played their way to a 30-8 record and a spot in the Area IV Championship Series as of July 28th.  Led by Head Coach Mike Edwards, the Post 337 team is playing for the opportunity to advance to the State Championship next week. (complete story)

MARA NATIONAL ALL STARS CAPTURE 9U WESTERN NC STATE TITLE

On July 14th, the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association (MARA) National League All-Stars captured the Cal Ripken Baseball Western NC 9U State Championship by defeating South Buncombe 10-7.(complete story)