Baseball --Diamond Luminaries gather at Wayne Co. Hot Stove Banquet

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 30, 2018 5:53 AM

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A job well done.

Such was the theme on Monday night at Lane Tree Golf Club, where just over 200 local baseball enthusiasts gathered to celebrate another stellar year for the sport at the 2018 Wayne County Hot Stove League banquet.

Former major league umpire Joe West headlined the evening with humorous tales and wise words around the sport's community-based narrative, and even took home a distinguished honor -- the Malcolm Sykes Award.

Presented by Jerry Johnson, the mark recognizes an umpire who commits to preparation as a measure of preventing poor performance.

Other honorees included Rosewood graduate Derek Neal, who was cited with the Jerry Narron Award as the area's top catcher.

Neal is now a member of the baseball team at Louisburg College.

Cody Whaley, a senior at Charles B. Aycock who has committed to Pitt Community College, was presented with the Clyde King Award -- an honor given to the area's top pitcher.

Rosewood skipper Jason King, who guided the Eagles to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A East Regional title series a season ago, earned the Doyle Whitfield Award as the county's top head coach.

The John Thomas award, given annually to a youth coach in Wayne County, was presented to Stephen Reese, known widely for his volunteer efforts with the Boys and Girls Club as well as Faith Christian Academy.

Former Wayne Country Day standout and current Lenoir Community College player Mitch Turnage was chosen as the George Whitfield Award winner.

Scott Simpson of Morehead City earned the N.C. High School Athletic Association's Distinguished Service Award for dedicated work in the region, while Larry Bryant became the 33rd recipient of the Bill Suggs Memorial Award -- an honor given by area head coaches.

Last, but certainly not least, was the recognition of former Charles B. Aycock head coach Charles Davis, who retired at the end of the 2017 campaign.

Over a career spanning 27 seasons, his teams compiled a 512-186-1 mark and made 25 playoff appearances.