Hello! I am from a small town in Virginia. I was surfing the web and came across your site! I love baseball and would like to keep posted on a former local talent.....Derek Cantrell. The last I heard was that he was at Liberty University. I was just wondering how he was doing. I realize that a huge influence in his life passed away over a year and a half ago. This was his uncle Jimmy. I know that Jimmy was very instrumental in helping Derek achieve his baseball goals. Any information would be great! Just hope he is doing well!!!!!!!!

Thanks for posting. His uncle was a great poster here and I had many private conversations with him as well. I did not know he had passed away and I wondered why he had stopped posting. Thanks for letting us know, although I a stunned and greatly saddened. He was a fellow Hokie and clearly a very, very good man. If there is anything further you can add, please post it here or send me a PM. Pass on my regards and prayers to his family. I hope Derek is doing well, too.

All the best,

Jim McDonald

I too was very saddened when the local papers ran the front page article of the death of Jimmy Cantrell. I know that the entire community took his passing very hard! It will be 2 years this June that Jimmy has been gone. Jimmy was such a pillar in this small town. Everyone knows that he was such a TREMENDOUS influence in Derek's life. It is amazing how many people still remain shocked over his sudden death.

I followed Derek's progress throughout his high school years. I realize that he went to Liberty to play ball. I hate that I have not keep close track on his progress. I hope that he will keep working just as hard on his dreams even though his uncle is not physically here to "push" him! We all know that Jimmy is up above and always a present factor in Derek's life.

Derek was such a hard worker with such a good head on his shoulders. I wish him the best! Please let me know if you have any word on his progress.

Are we talking about "The Principal here?

If so I feel great loss-- We communicated regularly and then he disappeared which I assumed was due to the fact that Derek was in college

TRhit

TR:

Yes we are. Send me a note later (jemaz at cox dot net). I will respond after my little league board meeting.

I, too, am saddened to hear of the loss of Mr. Cantrell. I always enjoyed "The Principal's" posts - you could tell how wonderfully proud he was of his nephew. I send my sympathy to his family and am sad to note the hsbaseball family's loss.

What a shock! I have a real sick to my stomache feeling. I emailed Jimmy once quite a while ago and the email came back as undeliverable.

He added much to these forums. I thought much like TR that he had moved on since Derek was in college.

One consolation is that he did get to know that Derek achieved the dream of being the member of a college baseball team.

As for Derek he is still at Liberty.
http://www.liberty.edu/athletics/baseball/players/cantrell.htm

Bob,
"Doing nothing is still a course of action"

Oh, I am just sick about this! I, too, wondered why The Principal stopped posting, as he was a favorite of mine from the beginning. And his signature after his posts always made me smile: "Knowing someone bound for Liberty!" Geez, how oddly prophetic.

Belated condolences to the Cantrell family, and continued success at Liberty to Derek. I am so sad today...

Is this heaven?...

A lot of posters come and go. We may not know why but this one saddens me. I had no idea.

"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens

My son and Derek attended many pitcher catcher camps together and I got to know the "Principal" while watching the performances of my son and his nephew. I, too, was shocked to hear about his passing when we again were united with Derek during my son's official visit to Liberty. He is doing well and my son and Derek will be teammates this coming fall.

We intend on watching Derek alot this spring while attending many of Liberty's games.

Add another one that is shocked and saddened. I too enjoyed his posts. Heaven got a good one.

Frank

PASSION - "There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those."

Knowing someone bound for Liberty...
Such very sad news...
Prayers to the family from New Hampshire.

______________________________
By the time you learn how to play the game...
You can't play it anymore ~ Frank Howard