PawneeSports
02-08-2006, 12:09 PM
Enid News Article
Enid News and Eagle Article (http://www.enidnews.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_330012344.html)
Legion champs receive rings
Written by: Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Published: November 26, 2005 01:23 am
http://www.enidnews.com/apstorysection/images_sizedimage_330002328/xl
Enid American Legion World Series Champion players gather in a circle to show off their new championship rings.
(Staff Photo by ANDY CARPENEAN)
ENID - Butch Lingenfelter already knew who he was going show off the Enid Majors’ American Legion World Series baseball championship ring to.
“I’m going to the Camargo Cafe in the morning and show this to Bob Ward (retired Woodward American Legion coach),’’ said the Majors assistant coach about the rings the team received Friday in a ceremony at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. “I got to brag a little about this.’’
The gold rings, designed by Enid second baseman Trent Hulse, were of championship quality with an E in a English design similar to that on the team’s uniforms.
It had the American Legion World Series logo, the team’s record (61-11), the player’s name and number and the American Legion post number. (4).
Hulse went through a bunch of previous College World Series and national championship rings with a representative of Jostlen’s for the design. He didn’t actually see the final product until the presentation.
“It definitely makes it more special,’’ Hulse said. “It’s special for everyone ... it’s little bigger than I thought it would be. I definitely won’t be wearing this out. I’m going to put it on display in my house.’’
Paul and Joan Allen, the long-time benefactors of Legion baseball in Enid, financed the rings.
“I can’t ever tell them thanks enough for this,’’ said pitcher Tyler Fleming, who embraced Joan Allen after receiving his ring. “I can’t believe it. It’s definitely going to be in a safe place in my house. I’ll wear it proudly.’’
The ring ceremony, to outfielder Thomas Willson, was the climax to winning the championship.
“It almost brought back the whole feeling to us,’’ he said. “I never thought anything like this (quality of ring) would have happened. I’m almost scared to put it on ... you’re afraid you would drop it or lose it.’’
“It just makes you appreciate the accomplishment a lot more,’’ said pitcher Chris O’Brien. “You hate to let it go.’’
Les Beckham, the baseball coordinator for the local Legion post, received not only a ring, but a special jacket to wear while taking tickets at the ballpark.
“It was just great,’’ Beckham said. “I’ll tell you what, those kids deserve it.’’
The 2005 champions weren’t the only team to receive rings.
The 1982 Enid state American Legion majors champions received rings 23 years later. Enid head coach Bill Mayberry coached that team.
“It’s nice for them to do that,’’ said pitcher-first baseman David LaBrue, “but it ought to be more about them (2005 team). We’re older. We have had our hey day.’’
Coming back for the ceremony were assistant coach Rocky Scott, LaBrue, second baseman Russ Angleton, catcher Greg Harris, shortstop Dusty Rex Eby, pitcher Randy Nickell, pitcher Ronnie Presa left fielder Jim Hepburn and bat boy Kyle Roberts, now head coach at Edmond Memorial.
“You guys carried me on your back,’’ Mayberry told the 1982 team. “I appreciate that very much.’’
“I never thought I would see this,’’ Presa said. “I respect coach Mayberry very much. I’m so proud of everybody here.’’
Eby, the son of the late Hall of Fame coach Dusty Eby, said his father — Mayberry’s high school coach — would be proud of his former player.
“I’m sure he was looking down on him,’’ said the younger Eby. “I appreciate everything Bill has done ... the way he kept my dad’s baseball camp going and the way he treated his players. When I played for him (Mayberry), he was my best friend. He and my dad were best friends ... you don’t see that kind of relationship very often.’’
Mayberry thanked the Allens, Beckham and state coordinator John Yeager, a member of the local post for their support.
“This never seems to end,’’ Mayberry said.
Enid News and Eagle Article (http://www.enidnews.com/siteSearch/apstorysection/local_story_330012344.html)
Legion champs receive rings
Written by: Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Published: November 26, 2005 01:23 am
http://www.enidnews.com/apstorysection/images_sizedimage_330002328/xl
Enid American Legion World Series Champion players gather in a circle to show off their new championship rings.
(Staff Photo by ANDY CARPENEAN)
ENID - Butch Lingenfelter already knew who he was going show off the Enid Majors’ American Legion World Series baseball championship ring to.
“I’m going to the Camargo Cafe in the morning and show this to Bob Ward (retired Woodward American Legion coach),’’ said the Majors assistant coach about the rings the team received Friday in a ceremony at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. “I got to brag a little about this.’’
The gold rings, designed by Enid second baseman Trent Hulse, were of championship quality with an E in a English design similar to that on the team’s uniforms.
It had the American Legion World Series logo, the team’s record (61-11), the player’s name and number and the American Legion post number. (4).
Hulse went through a bunch of previous College World Series and national championship rings with a representative of Jostlen’s for the design. He didn’t actually see the final product until the presentation.
“It definitely makes it more special,’’ Hulse said. “It’s special for everyone ... it’s little bigger than I thought it would be. I definitely won’t be wearing this out. I’m going to put it on display in my house.’’
Paul and Joan Allen, the long-time benefactors of Legion baseball in Enid, financed the rings.
“I can’t ever tell them thanks enough for this,’’ said pitcher Tyler Fleming, who embraced Joan Allen after receiving his ring. “I can’t believe it. It’s definitely going to be in a safe place in my house. I’ll wear it proudly.’’
The ring ceremony, to outfielder Thomas Willson, was the climax to winning the championship.
“It almost brought back the whole feeling to us,’’ he said. “I never thought anything like this (quality of ring) would have happened. I’m almost scared to put it on ... you’re afraid you would drop it or lose it.’’
“It just makes you appreciate the accomplishment a lot more,’’ said pitcher Chris O’Brien. “You hate to let it go.’’
Les Beckham, the baseball coordinator for the local Legion post, received not only a ring, but a special jacket to wear while taking tickets at the ballpark.
“It was just great,’’ Beckham said. “I’ll tell you what, those kids deserve it.’’
The 2005 champions weren’t the only team to receive rings.
The 1982 Enid state American Legion majors champions received rings 23 years later. Enid head coach Bill Mayberry coached that team.
“It’s nice for them to do that,’’ said pitcher-first baseman David LaBrue, “but it ought to be more about them (2005 team). We’re older. We have had our hey day.’’
Coming back for the ceremony were assistant coach Rocky Scott, LaBrue, second baseman Russ Angleton, catcher Greg Harris, shortstop Dusty Rex Eby, pitcher Randy Nickell, pitcher Ronnie Presa left fielder Jim Hepburn and bat boy Kyle Roberts, now head coach at Edmond Memorial.
“You guys carried me on your back,’’ Mayberry told the 1982 team. “I appreciate that very much.’’
“I never thought I would see this,’’ Presa said. “I respect coach Mayberry very much. I’m so proud of everybody here.’’
Eby, the son of the late Hall of Fame coach Dusty Eby, said his father — Mayberry’s high school coach — would be proud of his former player.
“I’m sure he was looking down on him,’’ said the younger Eby. “I appreciate everything Bill has done ... the way he kept my dad’s baseball camp going and the way he treated his players. When I played for him (Mayberry), he was my best friend. He and my dad were best friends ... you don’t see that kind of relationship very often.’’
Mayberry thanked the Allens, Beckham and state coordinator John Yeager, a member of the local post for their support.
“This never seems to end,’’ Mayberry said.