I may be relocating my family(job) to the Virginia Beach area. Could someone give me some information about baseball in the area, good Schools/programs.

You have a PM.

sent one back

Redbird,

Come on fellow, make that pm public. I'd love to see how you answered that. Would I agree or disagree?????
Hopefully, he will get another perspective as well!!!

Lynn

Is there even a question as to his reply?

CCCCCanes is the answer.

3up,

Please tell me what my reply was. If you guess it right, I will show you the PM.

Lynn,

You would agree with me.

So not one person is willing to make an opinion publicly? All this playing around with winks and nods? How about someone have some courage of their convictions?

Looks like you have been challenged!!!!!

My guess:
You found out if his kid was a catcher. When he was, you told him the best school to go was Landstown because they have always had a winning program!!!!!!!
Remember, the guy has 3 sons, one should have graduated. How old are the other 2?

I would tell you to go back and read thru this section.. HS Baseball is pretty strong at the Beach and in Chesapeake.

Most importantly is where does your family want to live? There are good and bad sections in both..

However in the Beach district, if you kids can qualify for one the of academies it really doesn't matter where you live. There is always the option of attending a school out of your district as long as you qualify for said schools academy..

Coming from AZ and not having the ocean at your back door that might be a draw. Only you can answer that..

More importantly welcome to the area!

Nope...the more, the merrier.

Good job clearing that up moderator.

Let me stir the pot with some of the good folks on this site.

There are many fine public shcool programs around Chesapeake and Va Beach. However, you should not overlook the private school programs in the area. In fact, over the last few years some of the strongest programs have come from the private schools. Greenbrier Christian, Cape Henry, Atlantic Shores and Nansemond Suffolk all come to mind.

You are absolutely right! Those schools have great programs, Cape Henry even has a new coach.
Not that I am trying to stir the pot sir, but you can even get into those schools after you are ineligible to play in the public schools. Don't mean that negative, only to throw it out there, if your kid has bad grades, bad conduct,etc. that is always a consideration. Not to say there aren't great kids in those programs, but there is also a flip side.
Of course another positive of the private school sector is the amount of games you are allowed to play and not having the VHSL controlling so much.

Another great story is that PA has added a great asset to their program. Can't go wrong sending your kid over there!

Lynn Metheny

P.S. By the way Sir, the guest speaker this year is going to be Ozzie Smith. Tell Patrick I look forward to seeing him there.

How ya doing there 1943. We'll have to visit some at the ODU games this spring.

Lynn, you are correct in everything you say, but let's not present it as though private schools are the place to send your kid if he isn't trying at anything but baseball. While there have been a number of high profile cases where a student with some problems has recieved a second chance, every private school has eligibility guidelines on grades, conduct etc. I'll tell you from 1st hand experience, GCA's guidelines on much of this stuff is by far more strict than the public schools. Now we all know that kids will be kids, but a kids eligibility to play a public school sport is not likely to be affected by what he did Saturday night unless public officials are involved.

Regardless, there are many fine programs both public and private. Thanks to our coaches and volunteers for all the time given to these student athletes.

What is the Chesapeake area like for coaches, schools and programs?

IMO, Chesapeake is an outstanding baseball area. The three you will most hear about are Great Bridge (Coach Wiley Lee), Western Branch (Coach Roland Wright), and Grassfield (Coach Shaun Todd). All three programs are usually very good, with outstanding coaches that demand alot from their players. These three schools are competing year in and year out for the top spot in the Southeastern Conference. (Grassfield has only been around for tree years).

Don't forget Greenbrier Christain..... 3 time VISAA State Champion's(2007, 08 and 09) and they have a outstanding coach in Gary Lavelle - former Major Leauge Pitcher.

Sonsaz,

Ace and I speak from 1st hand experience. Google Gary Lavelle and you will understand better why GCA has had such success. Gary is an outstanding role model who relates extremely well with his players. He has immediate credibility with the kids and knows how to get the most out of his players. He without a doubt, knows how to manage a game. Gary has developed outstanding players, especially pitchers, year after year.

Ace is correct in noting that GCA won back-to-back-to-back state championships, however GCA has won many more than 3 VISSA state championships. If your son is a pitcher, there is no better pitching coach in the state. Gary's pitching instruction certainly contributes to why so many kids transfer in to play for him.

Absolutely nothing wrong with GCA or Gary Lavelle, he runs a great program and is a great coach as well......however, I was referring to the public school option vice the private school opinion.

With GCA you get more games because they are not restricted by the 20 game limit that public schools are in Virginia. GCA plays some of the top teams in Virginia and sometimes they play top private schools in NC as well. However, I think on a game by game bases, the public school teams in Chesapeake or the Beach play the tougher competition.