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Imperialism32 · 08-24-2020, 08:28 PM

They've starred on the small screen and now they're ready for their close-up.

That performance happened in June of 1956 in Richmond, Virginia. Chantilly High School vs. Wilson Memorial High School in a game to determine the state champion. Each side had the sort of local legend that most towns do and while baseball is a team game, neither school would be here without their star.

On the mound for Wilson Memorial, located in Fishersville, was Parker Java. The wiry lefty could do it all, and not just on the baseball diamond: he was the team's center fielder when he wasn't pitching, he started at point guard on the basketball team, and he even won the county championship in the 100 and 200 meter dash. He was a much better center fielder than pitcher, but he had the best arm on the team and so he got the start.

Chantilly had Launcelot Evans. He stood about as tall as Java and was also a southpaw but carried more weight. He didn't play basketball and had no interest in running around on a track. He didn't have much of an arm and wasn't much of a fielder, even by high school first base standards. But he was a hitter, maybe the best the state had ever seen. He broke the Virginia home run record a few games into his senior season and comfortably padded that number since.

The theatrics came in the bottom of the 6th with Wilson Memorial up by a run. Evans came to the dish against Java with a man and sent a 2-1 pitch screaming over the right field fence, the decisive blow as Chantilly held on to win the championship.

"I was never much of a pitcher, anyway," Java laments.

"Nah, you were good... I was just better," Evans teases back.

That championship game was the start of a friendship between the two, a bond formed quickly enough that they agreed they wanted to sign with the same team as the World Baseball Alliance was forming. They each held true and inked deals with the Los Angeles Seraphs and now the pair of 22 year olds are one of the top young duos in the league (they were born just two weeks apart).

The Seraphs sit at 16-8, the second-best mark in the North American League. Evans is tied for the WBA home run lead with 8, while Java has already posted 2.2 WAR (second only to Boston's Jay Givens). After a ho-hum 64-68 first season, the Seraphs suddenly look set for the future with two concrete building blocks.

Java seems destined to win a handful of Gold Glove awards, possibly starting his collection as soon as this season. His defense in centerfield has impressed -- and frustrated -- opponents this season.

"That guy can go get it," said Hunter Williams of the Atlanta Razorbacks. The Seraphs took two of three from Atlanta and held Williams, a .324 hitter last season, hitless in the series. "Balls that I think are down he's already scooped up. Great speed, great instincts, great arm," he summarized.

His production at the plate so far has been an added bonus. Batting leadoff, he's hitting .392/.426/.598 with eleven doubles, two triples, and two homers. An impressive turnaround after a .222/.302/.389 line as a rookie following his call-up. While he's hardly expected to keep up his current pace, his outstanding defense will always provide value.

Evans, meanwhile, has simply raked. In 17 games (despite his high school heroics, the Seraphs sit him sometimes against lefties) he boasts a .429/.507/.873 line primarily as a designated hitter.

"I love it," he says of the role. "They said, hey, we just want you to focus on your hitting and to me that's perfect. I think I got a lot better this offseason because I knew I was gonna be able to DH."

Evans and Java began last season with Idaho Falls, but it proved to be a quick pit stop on their journey to the west coast. They ravaged the league and helped the Explorers to a hot start, enough of a cushion to ensure they'd win the division. While the duo couldn't keep it up with Los Angeles, they gained valuable experience that's paying dividends in a big way.

Their friendship has grown stronger and you don't need to be around them for too long to know why. They both love the city of Los Angeles, but neither seems interested in chasing the glitz and glamour. They're more of the "Southern California cool" types with a Virginian twist.

The quick development of the pair has the Seraphs firmly in the mix for the NAL West. Fans are hoping this year is something of a perfect storm, a crossing of generations. Star pitcher Reggie Thurmond and veteran outfielder Gabe Alley are pending free agents, and first baseman Myles Spinks could also leave after the season, though his rich player option is likely too good to pass up.

Evans and Java will keep the floor relatively high even with those key departures, but this season might be their best shot at a blockbuster.

08-24-2020, 08:28 PM	#124
Imperialism32 Major Leagues Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 341	They've starred on the small screen and now they're ready for their close-up. That performance happened in June of 1956 in Richmond, Virginia. Chantilly High School vs. Wilson Memorial High School in a game to determine the state champion. Each side had the sort of local legend that most towns do and while baseball is a team game, neither school would be here without their star. On the mound for Wilson Memorial, located in Fishersville, was Parker Java. The wiry lefty could do it all, and not just on the baseball diamond: he was the team's center fielder when he wasn't pitching, he started at point guard on the basketball team, and he even won the county championship in the 100 and 200 meter dash. He was a much better center fielder than pitcher, but he had the best arm on the team and so he got the start. Chantilly had Launcelot Evans. He stood about as tall as Java and was also a southpaw but carried more weight. He didn't play basketball and had no interest in running around on a track. He didn't have much of an arm and wasn't much of a fielder, even by high school first base standards. But he was a hitter, maybe the best the state had ever seen. He broke the Virginia home run record a few games into his senior season and comfortably padded that number since. The theatrics came in the bottom of the 6th with Wilson Memorial up by a run. Evans came to the dish against Java with a man and sent a 2-1 pitch screaming over the right field fence, the decisive blow as Chantilly held on to win the championship. "I was never much of a pitcher, anyway," Java laments. "Nah, you were good... I was just better," Evans teases back. That championship game was the start of a friendship between the two, a bond formed quickly enough that they agreed they wanted to sign with the same team as the World Baseball Alliance was forming. They each held true and inked deals with the Los Angeles Seraphs and now the pair of 22 year olds are one of the top young duos in the league (they were born just two weeks apart). The Seraphs sit at 16-8, the second-best mark in the North American League. Evans is tied for the WBA home run lead with 8, while Java has already posted 2.2 WAR (second only to Boston's Jay Givens). After a ho-hum 64-68 first season, the Seraphs suddenly look set for the future with two concrete building blocks. Java seems destined to win a handful of Gold Glove awards, possibly starting his collection as soon as this season. His defense in centerfield has impressed -- and frustrated -- opponents this season. "That guy can go get it," said Hunter Williams of the Atlanta Razorbacks. The Seraphs took two of three from Atlanta and held Williams, a .324 hitter last season, hitless in the series. "Balls that I think are down he's already scooped up. Great speed, great instincts, great arm," he summarized. His production at the plate so far has been an added bonus. Batting leadoff, he's hitting .392/.426/.598 with eleven doubles, two triples, and two homers. An impressive turnaround after a .222/.302/.389 line as a rookie following his call-up. While he's hardly expected to keep up his current pace, his outstanding defense will always provide value. Evans, meanwhile, has simply raked. In 17 games (despite his high school heroics, the Seraphs sit him sometimes against lefties) he boasts a .429/.507/.873 line primarily as a designated hitter. "I love it," he says of the role. "They said, hey, we just want you to focus on your hitting and to me that's perfect. I think I got a lot better this offseason because I knew I was gonna be able to DH." Evans and Java began last season with Idaho Falls, but it proved to be a quick pit stop on their journey to the west coast. They ravaged the league and helped the Explorers to a hot start, enough of a cushion to ensure they'd win the division. While the duo couldn't keep it up with Los Angeles, they gained valuable experience that's paying dividends in a big way. Their friendship has grown stronger and you don't need to be around them for too long to know why. They both love the city of Los Angeles, but neither seems interested in chasing the glitz and glamour. They're more of the "Southern California cool" types with a Virginian twist. The quick development of the pair has the Seraphs firmly in the mix for the NAL West. Fans are hoping this year is something of a perfect storm, a crossing of generations. Star pitcher Reggie Thurmond and veteran outfielder Gabe Alley are pending free agents, and first baseman Myles Spinks could also leave after the season, though his rich player option is likely too good to pass up. Evans and Java will keep the floor relatively high even with those key departures, but this season might be their best shot at a blockbuster.