Help rename BC baseball field after Coach Young

[Guest Orangeboy]

Maybe they should name it after Billy Bryant (LOL).  He must be a better coach since "HE" has already been to Austin more times than Coach Young

Don't start this junk again Injun.

[Guest Bulldog]

Orangeboy he's an idiot let it go.......

[expos]

According to my family back in the Golden Triangle, the Penny Record published an article about our cause.  If anyone has online access to this article, please pass it along as I am unable to get my hands on the paper itself.

A big thanks goes out to the Penny Record for helping to keep the awareness up; we've seen a good spike in signatures since last night.

Thanks,

FG

The Penny Record has a website now thats constantly updated!!!  www.therecordlive.com

[Guest Orangeboy]

The Penny Record has a website now thats constantly updated!!!  www.therecordlive.com

Yeah, that's what I told him. But they didn't put the Coach Young article online.

[redbirdbaseball]

Thanks to Julie Shehane, chief editor of the Penny Record, for providing me the article.  It should hit their website within the next week or so.  I've pasted it below:

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He built it, literally from the ground up.

And his 30 year leadership of the Bridge City Cardinal baseball team has given Coach Vernon "Chuck" Young legendary status in high school coaching that stands strong, even after his departure more than 10-years-ago to coach at a Texas City high school.

Considered one of the best area high school baseball programs in the area for the past six years, and a solid, strong team for more than three decades, several former Cardinal baseball players have come together to launch a movement to have the high school baseball field renamed after Young.

"His dedication to the team was something you don't see very often.  He and Coach Charles Miller were the face of the Bridge City Cardinals for generations of student athletes," said Frank Giarratano, a Bridge City Cardinal from 1996-98, who is now a coach himself near Houston and is leading the movement to rename the field.  "As focused as Young was on developing his guys into

successful ball players, grooming successful people always took precedent. His players learned the game, but more importantly, we learned about accountability, discipline, teamwork, hard work, and fortitude."

Since built by a group of coaches who wanted to start a baseball program at the school, the ball field has always been referred to as the Cardinal Baseball Field. But an online petition has been launched to change that, officially calling the Bridge City High School field, "Chuck Young Field." The petition gives former players, colleagues and members of the community, a chance to help in the ongoing effort. And since its creation, the petition has already been signed by nearly 250 people - each remembering Young and his "legendary" coaching ethic.

Former players signing the petition describe Young as a man of honor.

"I played for him in the late 60's. He was a heck of a coach. If that field is named after anyone, it had better be him," said former player and petition signer A.J. Lemoine, Jr.

"There (is not enough room) to fully describe the impact Chuck Young has had on my life," said another player, Jason Richards. "I feel it is the least we can do to honor a great man of integrity and the best baseball coach southeast Texas has and will ever see. Lets get this done, no matter what it takes."

Even players on opposing high schools teams have jumped on board to support both Young, and the effort to rename the field.

"I played at West Orange from 1974-1976. I always envied the guys on the Bridge City team, because Coach Young and his players always had a lot of class," recalled Kenny Richard. "I wish I could have played for him."

Baseball officials are also aware of the lasting impression Young left on the Bridge City Cardinal team, as well as his continuing successes with his Texas City team.

"I am a high school umpire with the TASO organization and I met Coach Young a couple of years ago, while I was calling a game at Texas City," wrote Terry Aston. "You can tell there is something special about him, the moment you are on the field with him. He is one of the really class guys in uniform. He is still very proud of his time in Bridge City and he is one of my favorite coaches of all time."

Young returned to the Bridge City area in March, to take part in the celebration of the 1992 state finalist team, who played under his leadership. Young is somewhat shy and reserved about being honored publically, because he credits all of his accomplishments to "a team effort." But family members say the honor is more than deserved.

"Not until my own children began to play competitive sports, did I understand my dad's true gift and how rare it is to find someone other than yourself who cares, believes in, and always demands the best for and from your children," noted Beth Young McCracken.

"For him to be able to take a group of boys and bring out the best, not just competitively, but in their spirit and be a part of turning them into men, is a gift and a calling.  I don't know if my dad will ever retire, for this is what he lives and breathes. Helping kids find their best, not just on the baseball field but in life. Recently he was counseling my oldest daughter who is 17 and making plans to attend Junior Olympics this summer for her competitive volleyball team. She was concerned with every game being the 'last' time she would play and his words of wisdom went something like this:  'Erin, no matter what sport you play, at some point it is everyone's last game. Whether you are a high school player, college, professional or even a coach like me, we all at some point are faced with our last game. Play like every game is your last and when you are finished, whether through injury, circumstances or just time, know you gave it 100 percent, know you did your best every time you stepped on the field."

"Words cannot express my relationship with my daddy and how proud I am to be his daughter and how blessed being a part of our family," she continued. "He loves Bridge City, it will always be our home. I appreciate the way you all feel and how much he means to each of you."

Petition organizers said that Coach Young manned the home dugout at Cardinal Field for nearly 30 years, building a legacy matched by few. And he has since carried the magic over to the Texas City Stings, who have reached the playoffs numerous times since Young's arrival.

"Chuck Young Field sure has a nice ring to it," said Giarratano. "He was honored at the 15 year anniversary of the 1992 team, but let's not let his legacy end there. Please sign the petition and help us get the field named in his honor."

For more information on the petition, visit  ww.ipetitions.com/petition/ourcoach/signatures.html. For more information on the ongoing effort, contact Frank Giarratano via Email at

[email protected].

The Bridge City Cardinal Baseball team is now under the leadership of Head Coach Billy Bryant.

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[redbirdbaseball]

So as not to confuse any of you who know me, I am not "now a coach himself near Houston."  Just an error in the article.

[Guest Orangeboy]

Over 260 signatures including LCM Head Coach Steve Griffith, Buna Head Coach Keven Terrier, and Brenham Head Coach Jim Long.

[Guest Orangeboy]

269!

[redbirdbaseball]

Now up to 285 signatures; don't let it stop there.  Continue to pass along the news of our petition.  This is being presented to the superintendent next month; let's put our best foot forward!

Thanks to everyone who has posted already -- now go tell two friends, and tell them to do the same!

[redbirdbaseball]

We had our meeting with the school superintendent this week. He agreed to present the idea to the school board; then it's up to the school board to hear our plea. BCISD currently has a policy in place that prevents landmarks from being named for living contributors, only the deceased. As backwards as the policy may seem, it remains an obstacle.

Please keep up the support.

[2throwrundown]

We had our meeting with the school superintendent this week. He agreed to present the idea to the school board; then it's up to the school board to hear our plea. BCISD currently has a policy in place that prevents landmarks from being named for living contributors, only the deceased. As backwards as the policy may seem, it remains an obstacle.

Please keep up the support.

If this is really going to be left totally to the school board then hopefully many people will show up in support of the effort.  Schedulling permitting i will be there in a show of support.  When is this board meeting when the idea will be presented?

[setxsportswhizz08]

If this is really going to be left totally to the school board then hopefully many people will show up in support of the effort.  Schedulling permitting i will be there in a show of support.  When is this board meeting when the idea will be presented?

itll probably be private.

[Guest Orangeboy]

Getting close to 300.

[Guest Orangeboy]

Heard from a reliable source that Coach Young was being inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Waco this January. ;D

[Guest Orangeboy]

The petition has now gone over 300!!!!!!!!  8)

[DKR Clone]

I heard from a very reliable source that he did not mention BC at all in his induction speech.  Why would BC want to name a field after someone who thinks so little of them?

[Guest Orangeboy]

[quote name="DKR Clone" post="315894" timestamp="1200400192"]
I heard from a very reliable source that he did not mention BC at all in his induction speech.  [b]Why would BC want to name a field after someone who thinks so little of them? [/b]
[/quote]

I also heard from a very reliable source that the only mention of Texas City was a story about one of his coaches during one of their playoff series. This person also told me that he told a story about a district game between WOS and BC. He mainly talked about how it was such an honor to be able to be a positive influence on kids and to have your hobby and your job being baseball and how blessed he was. And to answer you question, he still loves a lot of people in BC and to this day remains very close to a lot of people. It really meant a lot to him that Coach Bryant honored him and the '92 state finalist team last year.

[Tribesman]

I played baseball at PN-G from 1985-1988  and Coach Young was one of my favorites. He genuinely cared about ALL young ballplayers from Southeast Texas. I always enjoyed playing BC when he was there. My dad umpired for many years and Coach Young was always one of his favorites also. This would be a very deserving honor.

[Guest Orangeboy]

Hear Coach Young's speech on youtube.  Go to youtube.com and type "Chuck

Young" in the search box.  There are 3 segments.

[td]

I would like to send Coach Young an email. Does anyone know his email address?

[Guest Orangeboy]

326 Names now. 

[jacf]

Heard from a reliable source that Coach Young was being inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Waco this January. ;D

i hope you went to you tube and watched coach young's speech and then you will realize what a complete IDIOT!!!!!! you are....if you knew the man you would know he was one of the most respected baseball coaches in the state.....if we had more coaches and parents like him that cared more about the kids than winning at any cost the sports world and the world in general would be alot better place......you should think before you write.....MOORAN!!!!!!!!

[jacf]

I heard from a very reliable source that he did not mention BC at all in his induction speech.  Why would BC want to name a field after someone who thinks so little of them?

oh yeah i forgot tell your reliable source they are also an IDIOT!!!!!!!!

[Guest Orangeboy]

Heard from a reliable source that Coach Young was being inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Waco this January. ;D

i hope you went to you tube and watched coach young's speech and then you will realize what a complete IDIOT!!!!!! you are....if you knew the man you would know he was one of the most respected baseball coaches in the state.....if we had more coaches and parents like him that cared more about the kids than winning at any cost the sports world and the world in general would be alot better place......you should think before you write.....MOORAN!!!!!!!!

Not exactly sure how my comments were idiotic or moronic, but I hope you feel better. I personally know Coach Young and actually talked to him earlier this week. I have never said anything but positive about him. The man has only helped me, and I am certainly not the only one.

[td]

Heard from a reliable source that Coach Young was being inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in Waco this January. ;D

i hope you went to you tube and watched coach young's speech and then you will realize what a complete IDIOT!!!!!! you are....if you knew the man you would know he was one of the most respected baseball coaches in the state.....if we had more coaches and parents like him that cared more about the kids than winning at any cost the sports world and the world in general would be alot better place......you should think before you write.....MOORAN!!!!!!!!

Not exactly sure how my comments were idiotic or moronic, but I hope you feel better. I personally know Coach Young and actually talked to him earlier this week. I have never said anything but positive about him. The man has only helped me, and I am certainly not the only one.

I never played for him, only against him and I can tell you he helped make me a better player.