WISD Becoming "Field of Dreams"

In backyards all over America a time-honored tradition will continue this summer. When the sun fades the temperature will cool down and two arms will begin to warm up. Not many things can bond a father and son like a game of catch. As the father enjoys a distraction from his responsibilities the boy is simply dreaming that one day he will play professional baseball. For most boys it’s simply just that. A dream. But for Weatherford ISD, Raymond E. Curtis Field has literally become a “field of dreams” as our players are starting to achieve their boyhood fantasy in vast numbers.

Currently, there are six former WHS athletes playing for a Major League organization. Headlining the group is Zach Britton who currently serves as the closing pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. The baseball talent runs in the family as Zach’s brother, Buck Britton, currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers AAA affiliate. WHS alum Colt Hynes is currently on the Toronto Blue Jays 40 man roster and Michael Peoples, Kevin Cornelius, and Grayson Huffman are starting their professional careers in Class A ball for their respective organizations. Six players from one high school is very impressive…and the next wave is coming.

In this year’s MLB draft three former WHS players were signed by organizations. The Detroit Tigers snagged two Roos when they selected Beau Burrows (1st round pick 22) and Trey Teakell (9th round). A few days later Jacob Dorris was signed by the Houston Astros organization. That makes nine former Roos that are playing professional baseball. Yes, that is enough to field an entire team.

This success is not a coincidence according to WHS Head Baseball Coach Terry Massey. “The school district gives us great support and everything we need to give our players a chance to be successful. The community also gives us great support and we have a strong little league program.” Massey said.

If anyone would know what it takes to get players to that level it would be Massey who has had two players make it to the big leagues in his 30 years of coaching. But the reality is not every player will achieve major league success. The best players will naturally catch the attention of big time college programs and MLB scouts. However, smaller colleges are always looking for quality athletes to contribute to their programs and don’t always have the scouts to evaluate talent. This is where Coach Massey and WISD go the extra mile to help their athletes plan their futures.

“We make calls and talk to different college coaches all the time. I also ask players if and where they might want to play and I will often call those schools for them.” Massey said.

This extra work is what helps our athletes get a chance to continue playing baseball and assist with college tuition. But it’s not just the baseball program according to WISD Athletic Director Richard Scoggin. “All of the coaches in Weatherford ISD do an excellent job in assisting our athletes to play at the next level. It’s very rewarding to be a part of helping these great young men and women continue their athletic careers. Then it becomes fun following and keeping up with their success.” Scoggin said.

Weatherford ISD is always attempting to build on its mission statement to be “world-class” in everything we do. Whether on the diamond, in academics, or other extra-curricular activities, we are always attempting to help our students achieve their dreams.

So the next time you are enjoying a game of catch in the backyard allow your son to dream big. Who knows? Someday you might find yourself smiling as you remember that game of catch during his major league debut. It could happen, especially in Weatherford ISD.

Below is a list of former WHS baseball players and their current MLB organization/college

Zach Britton (2006), Baltimore Orioles, MLB, closer
Colt Hynes (2003), Buffalo Bisons, Toronto Blue Jays AAA affiliate - started the season on the Blue Jays roster, currently on their 40-man roster
Buck Britton (2004), Oklahoma City Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers AAA affiliate.
Michael Peoples (2010), Lynchburg Hillcats, Cleveland Indians High A affiliate.
Kevin Cornelius (2011), Gulf Coast Yankees, New York Yankees affiliate
Grayson Huffman (2013), Bluefield Blue Jays, Toronto Blue Jays affiliate

2010
Trey Teakell- TCU, played in the College World Series, just drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 9th round of the 2015 MLB draft

2011
Jacob Dorris - Texas A&M Corpus Christi, just signed a contract with the Houston Astros organization

2012
Trooper Reynolds - Dallas Baptist University
Austin Hilton - Southwestern Oklahoma State
Ty Hanson - Grayson College

2013
Dustin Williams - Oklahoma State University - led the team with 6 HR's
Will Young - Weatherford College
Jake Davis - Texas Wesleyan University

2014
Andy Swain - Louisiana Tech University
Andrew Healy - Paris Junior College
Corey Bynum - McMurry University
Andy Rogers - Weatherford College
Alex Adair - Weatherford College
Tony Rodriguez - Clarendon College

2015
Beau Burrows - selected #22 in the 1st round of the MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers. Also signed with Texas A&M University.
Hayden Rowell - Murray State College
Randy Crevier - McMurry University
Blake LaGrassa - McMurry University
Zachary Rodriguez- Howard Payne University

Published July 1, 2015 Print