Congratulations to the Vanderbilt Commodores on their 3-2 Wednesday night victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in Omaha, Nebraska, to win the 2014 College World Series. It was the first national championship for Vanderbilt in a men’s sport. Vanderbilt’s only other national championship was in women’s bowling.

Vanderbilt and Virginia split the first two games of the College World Series. Vanderbilt won the first game 9-8 on Monday and Virginia bounced back to take the second game 7-2 on Tuesday.

Among the players leading the Commodores in the World Series were Vince Conde, Zander Wiel and John Norwood.

Turning to another subject I was very impressed with the play of coach Brian McCorkle‘s Bainbridge High School Bearcats summer league baseball team.

Shortstop Keith Lyle and catcher Will Kelley are a pair of young players who were really impressive. Their offense was solid and they came up with a number of strong defensive plays.

I have also been impressed with the hitting and fielding of rising junior right-hander Russell Wheeler. At the plate he has demonstrated good power to all fields.  He handles the bat well and also does a good job in the field.

Left-handed pitcher and designated hitter Nick Barber and catcher Noah Bryant were also impressive on the mound, behind the plate and in the batters box. Young player Carson Inlow has also had some solid offensive performances and Blake Merchant has demonstrated good power.

The Bearcats staying together after the season and playing as a summer league team should benefit them next spring. Coach McCorkle continues to build a solid baseball foundation just like former head coach Scott Miller, now a Bainbridge High School assistant principal, did before him.

High school coaches in all sports know that hard work and dedication are the keys to success. We have a great group of coaches in all Bainbridge High School sports.

The key attribute that good baseball players have at any level is good hand eye coordination. They need it to time a fastball.  The best hitters at any level possess it.

Many times pitchers attempt to keep batters off stride by changing speeds. The match up between the pitcher and the batter is like a game within a game and it is always fun to watch it unfold before your eyes.