I will take a shot at Middlesboro's all-time team

 

Pitchers: John Smith, Lee Hardin, Floyd Patterson, Jeremy Skidmore

 

Outfielders: Jeremy Skidmore, Brian Williams, David Kelley, Jeff Kyle, Brian Carter, Justin Stewart

 

3B- Derrick Wynn, Brad Cawood

SS- Lawerence Buell, Brian Powell

2B- Chad Adkins, Stephen Cambron

1B- Glenn McDonald, Josh Robinson

C- Floyd Patterson, Bill Powell, Aaron Sowders, Vince Powell

 

Any idea what Lee Hardin is up to these days? Didn't he play college ball at Cumberland?

Any idea what Lee Hardin is up to these days? Didn't he play college ball at Cumberland?

 

Yes he did play college ball for a few years but developed some arm problems I believe. I do know that now he works for the Dubin Orthopedic Centre in Middlesboro as a MRI tech or something. He is also a father to beautiful little girl.

I'll take my shot at middlesboro's too. Totally subjective and my opinion.

 

Pitchers:

Jeff Kyle

Lawrence Buell

Jack Comparoni

Jeremy Skidmore

Bobby Spriggs

John Smith

 

Outfielders:

Brian Williams

Jeff Kyle

David Kelley

Jeremy Skidmore

Barry Burch

Craig Heath

 

Catchers:

William Campbell

Jeff Helms

Floyd Patterson

 

1B:

Josh Robison

Glenn McDonald

Scott Sharp

 

2b:

Tim Overbay

Tommy Ferguson

Jeff Brooks

 

ss:

Lawrence Buell

Jack Comparoni

 

3b:

Pat Spangler

Derrick Wynn

Mike Jones

 

Best player all time would come down to Brian Williams, Jeff Kyle, or Lawrence Buell.

I can respect these rankings but I can tell you are obviously a little bias towards the older players. As second base I couldn't think of many but Chad Adkins should definitely be in there. I actually don't know all of the players you named but I can assure you that you left a few off. In 1999 when the Jackets went to the Final Four, Lee Hardin went 12-0 on the mound and threw a combined 5 no-hitters during his junior and senior years. He also went on to play college baseball.

 

Brian Powell started on two Final Four teams (99' and 02) and was clocked throwing 85 mph from SS to 1B. He committed to Kentucky out of high school and later played for Georgetown College. He was All-State his junior and senior seasons.

 

Justin Stewart started for 5 years for the Jackets, beginning with his eighth grade year. He was the offensive leader for the Jackets on the 02 Final Four team by hitting .410 with 13 HRs as a sophomore. Was a very dominant pitcher in the 13th region throughout his career and was All-State his junior and senior years. He ended up playing baseball at Cumberland College.

 

Vince Powell had a career .420 BA included a .496 senior year. He too was an All-State selection his junior and senior seasons and committed to play at Morehead State out of high school.

 

 

Now I'm not trying to attack your list in anyway. I can respect the selections you made but I would advise you to keep up with the Jackets a little more. You obviously haven't followed too closely for the past 15 years. Skidmore was a great player and a great competitor but he seems to get more credit that he deserves on the mound. You included him in the pitchers but Lee Hardin was definitely a better pitcher. You should also know that while many of the players on your list did rack up hitting stats versus the likes of teams like Pineville High School, Middlesboro doesn't even allow their varsity squad to play them anymore. They haven't for about 15 years now. They now regularly play the top teams in the state including Lexington Catholic, Henry Clay, PRP, etc.

 

Regardless, Middlesboro has had some great baseball through the years.

I can respect these rankings but I can tell you are obviously a little bias towards the older players. As second base I couldn't think of many but Chad Adkins should definitely be in there. I actually don't know all of the players you named but I can assure you that you left a few off. In 1999 when the Jackets went to the Final Four, Lee Hardin went 12-0 on the mound and threw a combined 5 no-hitters during his junior and senior years. He also went on to play college baseball.

 

Brian Powell started on two Final Four teams (99' and 02) and was clocked throwing 85 mph from SS to 1B. He committed to Kentucky out of high school and later played for Georgetown College. He was All-State his junior and senior seasons.

 

Justin Stewart started for 5 years for the Jackets, beginning with his eighth grade year. He was the offensive leader for the Jackets on the 02 Final Four team by hitting .410 with 13 HRs as a sophomore. Was a very dominant pitcher in the 13th region throughout his career and was All-State his junior and senior years. He ended up playing baseball at Cumberland College.

 

Vince Powell had a career .420 BA included a .496 senior year. He too was an All-State selection his junior and senior seasons and committed to play at Morehead State out of high school.

 

 

Now I'm not trying to attack your list in anyway. I can respect the selections you made but I would advise you to keep up with the Jackets a little more. You obviously haven't followed too closely for the past 15 years. Skidmore was a great player and a great competitor but he seems to get more credit that he deserves on the mound. You included him in the pitchers but Lee Hardin was definitely a better pitcher. You should also know that while many of the players on your list did rack up hitting stats versus the likes of teams like Pineville High School, Middlesboro doesn't even allow their varsity squad to play them anymore. They haven't for about 15 years now. They now regularly play the top teams in the state including Lexington Catholic, Henry Clay, PRP, etc.

 

Regardless, Middlesboro has had some great baseball through the years.

 

 

Glad you're not attacking my list..would hate to see that. Actually I have followed Middlesboro baseball very closely for the last 15 years. In fact I've followed them since Parsons was the head coach. Perhaps I am biased towards the older players but no more than you are biased towards the younger ones. I think we'll have to just agree to disagree. And one thing I can tell you is that the Varsity did play Pineville as recent as 2004 so perhaps you should check your stats. Seems like you throw a lot of those around without anything to back them up so I guess we'll take your word on it. ....You know what I apologize for that. I made a new years resolution to be nicer this year. Sorry.

 

Middlesboro has had some great players over the years so any list by us fans is subjective. I think Brian Powell was a fine shortstop, but was he better than lawrence buell or Jack comparoni?...no way. And let's not forget those 2 also pitched. Justin stewart was a good outfielder and good pitcher, and maybe he hit 13 homeruns as a sophmore, but I know for a fact he only hit 2 his senior year. I've seen Jeff Kyle hit more than that in one game. I've seen Brian Williams hit a homerun off the roof of the national guard building. David kelley and Barry Burch could cover more ground than anyone. Craig Heath's homerun at Palatka Fla is still talked about 20 years later.

 

Point is we could go back and forth like this forever. You've got your list and I've got mine.

 

Now Im not trying to attack your list in anyway. I can respect your selections as well. They're all fine players. But I would advise you that Middlesboro Baseball has a long and storied history with a ton of great players. And a lot of em played before 1998.

In response to a few of your statements:

 

Technically, Middlesboro's varsity did play Pineville the past 15 years. However, while it did count on the varsity record, the top players did not participate and that I am positive of.

 

If you did follow Middlesboro baseball you would know that Brian Powell did pitch as well. In fact, he was probably the best pitcher on the team his last two seasons. When he appeared on the mound he was dominant. What is even more impressive is that he played his entire senior season with a torn labrem and was still the strongest defensive player in the region.

 

Justin Stewart may have only hit 2 homeruns his senior year but he did bat .463 that year. If you think Jeff Kyle is the only player in Middlesboro history to hit multiple HRs in a game then you are wrong. And I don't even know what you mean by the Brian Williams comment. Since the national guard building is a good 3-4 miles away I am assuming that you mean he hit a far HR. There is no need for you to defend Brian Williams as he was one of the players I put on my all-time team. As is Jeff Kyle.

 

And I don't know who you are talking about but I also assure you that nobody is still talking about Craig Heath or his homerun at Palatka. I played for Middlesboro for 5 years since his time and actually never heard his name once.

 

If you are putting Barry Burch in the linup because of his defensive abilities then you might as well throw Blake Allen in there as well. I thought we were just listing the best all around players.

 

Just a note: 9 of the 22 players I named played prior to 98. The reason I named players mostly from that era is because they were flat out the better players. Middlesboro won regional championships in 98, 99, 02 while finishing runner-up in 00, 04, and 06. That is an extremely successful era. Let's not also forget that they reached the Final Four in both 99 and 02. That may be the reason why I listed so many in that era.

 

You on the other hand seem a bit bitter towards players from newer Middlesboro teams, which may also be the reason you didn't put Coach Sowders on your list.

Since the national guard building is a good 3-4 miles away I am assuming that you mean he hit a far HR.

When I was a kid back behind the National Guard Armory building used to be the senior league field and it was possible to hit a HR off of It (Don't know about on top of it though but I guess it was possible to hit on that far my guess would be about 400+ feet) I only saw it done once and that was when John Smith hit it to the building.

 

 

Maybe M'boro High School used to play on that felid years ago???:confused:

I'd have to say I remember some dandies from Beechwood. Steve "fireball" Ahlers who pitched at NKU, Joe List, Jeff Leftin, Louis Broekhoft, Joff Gabbard, Matt Boehmer.

 

Don't forget Brandon Berger or Mike Murray.

Pulaski County

 

OF

Darren Burton (All state '88, '89, '90, Mr. Baseball '90, 4th round pick KC)

Josh Anderson (All state '00, 4th round pick Houston)

Aaron Belcher (Union College)

 

3B

Rob Blanton ( Cumberland; single season HR leader)

 

SS

Jason Henderson (Army)

 

2B

Drew Reynolds (All state '02, EKU)

 

1B

Kevin Wallace (All state '92, WKU)

 

C

Steve Swail (Atlanta Braves Organization)

 

 

Pitchers

Daniel Carrender (All state '99, UK)

Shannon Helton (All state '99, MSU)

Cole Draughn (All state '03; Runner-up Mr Baseball '03)

Brian Wilson (All state '88)

Well from what i can remeber of Newports teams, I will give it a try.

 

C- Shawn Little in the 80's

 

1st- Kevin Ewing 80s

 

2nd- not to sure here

 

SS- Bobby Meyer 80's

 

3rd- Jimmy Cutter 70's i think he was a infielder

 

OF-Jeff Byrd 80's- Steve Murphy 70's- Shawn Mattieoli 80's- Jeff Allen 70's- David Bedford 70's- Dave Kuningien -2000's

 

P- Rick Atkins 80's- Joey Stamm 80's- Dicky Boothe- 70's - David Scholosser 70's- one of the Kues 2000's- Matt Atkins 2000's

 

I know i am forgetting someone and the years may not be right but i remeber reading about these players in their days at Newport.

Well from what i can remeber of Newports teams, I will give it a try.

 

C- Shawn Little in the 80's

 

1st- Kevin Ewing 80s

 

2nd- not to sure here

 

SS- Bobby Meyer 80's

 

3rd- Jimmy Cutter 70's i think he was a infielder

 

OF-Jeff Byrd 80's- Steve Murphy 70's- Shawn Mattieoli 80's- Jeff Allen 70's- David Bedford 70's- Dave Kuningien -2000's

 

P- Rick Atkins 80's- Joey Stamm 80's- Dicky Boothe- 70's - David Scholosser 70's- one of the Kues 2000's- Matt Atkins 2000's

 

I know i am forgetting someone and the years may not be right but i remeber reading about these players in their days at Newport.

 

 

 

 

 

Another Newport player from the early 80's who was pretty darn good, was Angelo Dant.

Another Newport player from the early 80's who was pretty darn good, was Angelo Dant.

 

Yea your right about Angelo Dant. Like i said i may not name them all. But he was a good player for the Cats.

I recall a pitcher from M'boro by the name of Miller who played back in the late 70's who has to be on the list of best players at M'boro.

Highlands-I'm guessing here and I'm not sure before the 90's but:

 

Matt Mason

Kyle Pfetzer

Eric Glaser

Chris Hamblen

Brian Greene

 

Help old people...

Highlands-I'm guessing here and I'm not sure before the 90's but:

 

Matt Mason

Kyle Pfetzer

Eric Glaser

Chris Hamblen

Brian Greene

 

Help old people...

Bob Cowie

Mike Shuette

 

 

Help older people