Beloved Coach Young honored in Bridge City

A cornerstone in the tradition of Bridge City baseball was recognized Saturday on the field he helped build. Former Cardinal baseball coach Coach Chuck Young returned for the annual alumni game that bears his name. Young was inducted into the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2008.

Former Cardinal baseball players from 1967 until as recent as last season participated in the alumni game and home run derby. The alumni displayed and mounted a sign honoring Young on the left field fence recognizing the former Bridge City coach.

“This is indeed an honor but I feel like I am the one who should be honoring you,” Young told the alumni players and fans. “There are many wonderful memories of my years as your coach here.”

Young racked up nearly 700 career wins as a high school baseball coach. He took over the Bridge City baseball program in 1967 and led the Cardinals to the final round of the UIL State Baseball Championships in 1992 assisted by Coach Charles Miller. Young moved on to coach for Texas City High School reaching the state finals in 2007.

Young coached 31 playoff teams that included the two state baseball tournament appearances, six regional semifinalist, 10 regional quarterfinals championships, 15 bi-district championships and 15 district championships.

In the alumni baseball game the “even year” team defeated the “odd year” team for the second straight year. Former Cardinal slugger Dylan Mullholan won the home run derby smacking three of five pitches over the fence.

Participants included: 1967 Charles Miller, 1983 Chad Pepper, 1969 Ronnie Shugart, 1993 Brandon Dennison, Kurt Roy, Shannon Sanders, 1994 Daron Benoit, 1996 Craig Darder, Chris Linscomb, Slade Watts, 1997 Jason Keeney, Jacob Monceaux, Chris Moore, Blain Polk, 1998 Frank Giarratano, Clay Richards, 1999 Mark Crorey, Johnny Montagne, Lance Polk, Ross Watts, 2000 Paul Giarratano, 2001 Daniel Ruiz, 2004 Brian Bailey, Steven Lapeyrolerie, 2005 Kirk Vincent, 2007 Chase Warner, 2009 Grant Encalade, Jared Raggio, 2010 Josh Lemoine and 2011 Dylan Mulhollan and Forrest Zoch.

Many of Young’s former high school baseball players are coaches today. Two-time state tournament Cardinal baseball coach Billy Bryant is now at Big Sandy. Others include, Shane Reyenga at Lumberton, Todd Doucet, Fredericksburg, Kevin Terrier, Buna, Jason Keeney, Hamshire-Fannett and Craig Darder in Godley. Two former Cardinal baseball players, Josh Smalley and Chris Moore, are coaches for Bridge City today. Moore is assistant baseball coach for the No. 3 ranked Bridge City Cardinals with Head Coach Chad Landry.