What does the CCHS Baseball program mean to me? What does being on the All Time Board mean to you? Seems like a straightforward question. One would assume that could be answered in a few short statements.
However, I have spent 25 years (playing or coaching) within this program and to only give it a few short statements would be unacceptable in my eyes.
So here is my best shot at explaining what this program means to me.
Growing up I was just like any other kid. During the Fall months I played football, during the Winter months it was basketball, but during the Spring and Summer months we got to play baseball. I enjoyed playing football. Playing under those lights on Friday nights was something special. Basketball, in all honesty, was something to pass the time between football and baseball season. But baseball has always been my passion.
I know that comes from my mom and dad, Jimmy and Lynn. My dad was a Yankees fan, so naturally I would be named after Casey Stengal, legendary Yankees manager from way back in the day. Of course, if we could ask my late father who I was named after for this story, I would imagine him saying I was named after the Mighty Casey that struck out. Because I did that….. a lot.
But my baseball story couldn’t be told without talking about my parents. Growing up, my dad knew how to push me to do my best, because he knew I had a “I’ll show you attitude” So he would make some comment about something I was doing wrong because he knew I would work on it until I could “show” him that it wasn’t wrong anymore. I can count on one hand how many times they missed a game. High School or College.
They have always been there for me.
Naturally my introduction to Carroll County Baseball was from my dad. He played for Coach Worrell in the 70’s, and like many people who have shared their thoughts held Coach Worrell in the highest regards.
I can remember him bringing me to games when I was around the age of 10 or 12 to watch the baseball team. Just so happened when I was 12 (1994 region champs) our baseball team was really good. Watching those guys play made me want to be a baseball player that much more.
Not long after that I entered the 8th grade and was fortunate enough to make the Junior Varsity team, I want to think that was 1996.
This is when I met Coach Joe Tompkins. Matthew was right when he said his dad was a fan of bunting. I hit in the 2 hole that season and I’m pretty sure if JV stats were kept I would have led the state in sacrifices. But I learned a valuable lesson from Coach Tompkins in those early years.
Nothing was bigger than the team, everyone did what they needed to do to help us win.
As fate would have it, Coach Tompkins would be hired as the varsity head coach going into my freshman season.
Coach saw something in me that I don’t imagine a lot of people did at that time, but he moved me up as a lanky 9th grader to play varsity. The vision that Coach Worrell had with Rod must have been similar to the vision that Coach Tompkins had with me.
Both of us left handed, both of us hitting everything but the catcher’s mitt, both of us causing our coaches to scratch their heads numerous times. But just like Coach Worrell, Coach Tompkins had a belief in me that I won’t forget. Thank you.
I enjoyed playing for Coach Tompkins, many years later he would give me my first opportunity to coach at Carroll County.
I will forever be indebted to him for that. Coach is a good man, he threw a benefit golf tournament for both my parents when they were dealing with cancer and handed over 100% of the proceeds that day. He did all that simply because he wanted to, I appreciate him more than he will ever know.
Along those same years I also met another Coach that would influence my life way beyond high school, his name is David Meredith. However, if you were to say that name there aren’t many people in Carroll County going to know who you are referring to, but if you say his nickname “Doc” then everyone knows who “Doc” is. Doc was a big reason that I received a scholarship once high school was over so I could continue to play baseball. He was also instrumental when I decided to transfer colleges. He is probably the only reason I ended up at Emory and Henry College (now University). I still to this day speak to Doc two or three times a week about everything going on in my life.
I know this is getting lengthy, and I apologize, but you ask a question and I want to make sure I answer it to the best of my ability. I have also had the unique perspective to be able to coach in this program for almost 20 years.
I would not be doing this justice if I didn’t speak about Coach Dehaven. Coach D was already an assistant in the program when I was coming through school (yes he is that much older than me lol) so our paths never really crossed until I came back to coach.
Just like Coach Tompkins 20 years ago, Coach Dehaven gave me an opportunity to coach at the varsity level. I will always be grateful for that decision. It was an absolute pleasure being your assistant.Being named on the board for me simply means that I got to play with a lot of great teammates.
I don’t get the opportunities to get those hits if my teammates aren’t doing their jobs. I guess that leads me into my final thoughts, and I guess the one you have been waiting on.
When I think of the CCHS baseball program, I think about the people.
Sure they all could play baseball, but we were all willing to sacrifice for the betterment of us all. It’s the people that make programs, and I’m very proud being a part of this one.
Casey Burcham
Thank You Casey !
Last Sunday felt very Magical to me and we will continue with this Series as long as Folks are willing to share their thoughts !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 