Babe Ruth Payoff

The signing of Tyler Joyner and Brian Goodwin to Division I national letters of intent this week is another step in showing that you reap what you sow.

Tyler of Northern Nash is what every scout, whether they are high school, college or pro, drools over - a left-handed pitcher. He has been the ace of the 13-and 14-year old Nash County Babe Ruth teams that made it to the semifinals and finals in the Babe Ruth World Series.

His sophomore year, he led the Knights to the finals in the east until they lost out to the eventual state champions from .C.B. Aycock.

Brian also was the center fielder on those same Babe Ruth teams and put on a display of his abilities from power hitting to base stealing to flagging down any ball hit in the air.

He won the MVP award during the NCHSAA 3-A state championship series this past May as the Gryphons won the state 3-A baseball title.

Both Northern and Rocky Mount players, along with Nash Central, have benefited from their experiences in Babe Ruth.

There seems to be that 14-year olds is the last of the dedicated to one-program age bracket. Starting at 15, Junior Legion and other teams begin to divide the players to where they all go in different directions.

Between little league and 14-year-olds, Nash County has become a force in baseball and at the high school level they start dividing up to the different schools.

Even when they have divided up, the last two years with Northern going to the eastern finals and Rocky Mount winning it this year shows you how much experience means to any player and program.

As for Tyler and Brian, their biggest common denominator is that their parents have been with them every step of the way.

As many games as these guys have played in the past five years, it is hard to take three weeks off to follow your child to a state championship, then to a regional in Tennessee and a World Series in Massachusetts.

Their families have sacrificed to make it happen and to be able to watch their lives unfold.

After graduation, you can expect it to start all over as these guys start to travel all over the country to pursue their dreams in college and who knows, maybe even in pro baseball.