No Washington-area team has ever made the CWS
When Billy Brown moved from New Jersey to Falls Church in middle school, he had no trouble fitting it. A sharp-tongued, three-sport star, Brown introduced his new neighbors to his humorous, Philadelphia lexicon, which he delivered in an entertaining staccato.
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Nearly four decades later, in his 28th year as baseball coach at George Mason University, Brown is still holding court, taking his loose, confident Patriots to the NCAA tournament. Tonight in Greenville, N.C., when Mason (42-12) plays South Carolina (38-21), the Patriots hope to take their first step toward uncharted territory — the College Baseball World Series.
Since the Series began in 1947, no Washington-area team has participated. The only school remotely close to D.C. that advanced to Omaha was James Madison in 1983. To illustrate the difficulty Washington-area teams face in the NCAA tournament, consider George Mason’s 1-10 record in regional play.
But this Mason team might be different. It set a school record for victories, is loaded with experience, and has a deep pitching staff built for postseason success. Most important, according to Brown, is the Patriots’ demeanor.
“The thing that really puts us over the top is chemistry, camaraderie,” said Brown. “This is not a group that’s tight. You can tell. They’re shooting baskets, They’re taking swings. But when it comes time to play, they’re ready.”
Mason’s task is daunting. To advance to the World Series, GMU would have to emerge from a field of four in double-elimination play this weekend, then win a best-of-three super regional next weekend, against another regional champion.
“I think our chances are great,” said redshirt junior pitcher Kevin Crum (O’Connell), who will start GMU’s second game of the tournament, Saturday. “We’re not going into this with any doubts that we can’t do it.”
Also at the Greenville Regional this weekend are Binghamton (29-20) and host East Carolina (42-17).
“I don’t think we could have been placed in a better bracket,” said junior catcher Chris Henderson. “Those are teams we can beat. We’re excited. We know we can win it.”
Confidence comes from having the second-best winning percentage in Division I. It also comes from having one of the nation’s best catchers in Henderson, who leads the team in batting (.416), runs (69), doubles (21), and is third in home runs (14) and RBI (54). Henderson bats second, setting the table for sluggers Scott Krieger (Calvert Hall) and Justin Bour (Westfield), who have combined for 37 home runs and 145 RBI.
As important as Henderson’s offensive contributions, is his work behind the plate. He was Defensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association.
“He won that because of what he does with our pitching staff,” said pitching coach Steve Hay. “We wouldn’t have led the league in ERA (4.24) if he wasn’t our catcher. He calls every pitch. He controls the staff. With his receiving skills, he gets us 10 to 12 strikes called that we wouldn’t have with another catcher.”
Despite Henderson’s modest dimensions (5-11, 185), Brown expects him to be drafted next month, joining a long line of successful GMU catchers, including Chris Widger, who played nine years in the major leagues, and current minor leaguers Jason Bour and Robby Jacobsen.
Little wonder Brown has specialized in producing catchers. He was one himself at George Mason (1978-79). In Henderson, also from New Jersey, Brown has his on-the-field coach.
“We trust him completely. He calls the game. He runs it all. We work through him,” said Brown. “The catcher has a unique view of the game. He’s the only guy who sees the field like that. You have to make decisions on the fly and it takes a special kid, like Chris, to do that. You can’t be shy. You can’t wait for somebody else to do it. You gotta be a take-charge guy.”
And if anyone would know, it’s Brown.
