BLUEFIELD — Lou Peery is a big man. Yet,

baseball has long been his sport of choice because it can be played by anyone,

no matter what their size.

"Some people have fishing as a passion or hunting, baseball is mine," said Peery,

in his 30th season as Tazewell's baseball coach. "I think it's the ultimate

challenge of any sport where the defense is in control.

"It's the only sport where it's one offensive player against nine, and

regardless of size, anybody can work at it. You don't have to be a certain size

or speed, you can still compete."

Peery's Bulldogs haven't been able to compete much this spring, but it's not

because of the lack of talent on his team.

Rain, snow and just generally miserable un-springlike weather has been the

culprit. Still, Perry remembers seasons with even more problems.

"We had one, it is rare, but we had it before," Peery said. "One year we had a

suspended season where we only had 13 games played. It was in the early '80s. We

took our records and played our district tournament and went from there."

When the Bulldogs have played, they've been good. Tazewell defeated Marion 13-2

and Pulaski County 11-1. The 'Dogs also led Graham 13-0 in the third inning on

Tuesday, but rain washed that game out.

"We did exactly what we were hoping to do," Peery said. "We got people on base

and scored, we had good pitching going on and we played pretty good defense.

"Those are three aspects you have to have in order to be competitive."

Tazewell will return to the field on Saturday against Oak Hill in the 36th

annual Coppinger Invitational at Bowen Field. The Bulldogs have won the title

six times, with the last coming in 2005.

"It's a well-organized tournament and they do a good job of working it," Peery

said. "The competition is really good and that's the reason why we like coming

up there."

Peery return much of last year's squad that finished 13-11, losing to Richlands

in the Region IV quarterfinals. He figures the Blue Tornado and Abingdon are the

teams to beat in the Southwest District.

"It's just like I said at the first of the year," said Perry, whose Bulldogs

have rescheduled each of six games that have been lost to weather. "Richlands

won the district last year and they're still the district champs until they're

dethroned, and Abingdon won the region so they are pretty much the teams to

beat."

Still, don't count out the Bulldogs.

"We're just trying to be as competitive as possible," Peery said. "We've got a

pretty good nucleus with pitching and infield. We're hoping; on any given day,

anything can happen to you in baseball."

Baseball starts with pitching, and Peery likes his mound staff and the

experience his club has.

Senior Trey Lambert and junior Dustin Dean lead the Bulldogs on the mound.

Sophomores Cody Lambert, Mike Wood and Heath Harris are also options, along with

freshman Zach Wasilewski.

Peery isn't sure who the ace is just yet.

"Right now we haven't decided," said Peery, who teaches his moundmen to

incorporate three pitches in their repertoire. "We've got them on pitch counts

now, we don't want them throwing too many innings."

No matter who is pitching, Peery has three-year starter Clinton "Bruiser" Moore

behind the plate to receive those throws. Moore's backup is Nick Ascue.

"Behind the play you need that kind of experience to help run the show out there

on the field," Peery said.

Peery has experience at his infield positions, led by Tyler Kitts at shortstop

and Taylor Herald at first. Ascue's brother, Michael, plays second, while third

base is manned by Trey Lambert.

If Lambert is pitching, T.J. Taxley can play at third, first or serve as a

hard-hitting designated hitter.

The outfield includes Dean or Harris in left field, Josh Mitchem or Wasilewski

in center, and Wood or Cody Lockhart in right.

"Defensively, they are decent, sound," Peery said. "Most of those guys started

last year for me.

"We have a good combination of a mix. We have some base hitters and a couple of

kids that can run pretty good. As for power, we have to hit the alleys and go

from there."

Tazewell, which last won the SWD crown in 2005, reached the Group AA state

quarterfinals in consecutive seasons from 2002-04. Peery has developed one of

Virginia most competitive programs.

"The key is the coaches that are around me," said Peery, who has been assisted

for the last eight years by Mike Catron and Aaron Buchanan. "They are doing the

same things we want to do, and they're energetic and teaching in the feeder

programs all the way through."

What has kept Peery in the Tazewell dugout for so long?

"It's just a joy to watch the kids develop and grow and go on and play at the

next level," Peery said.

No one has gone as far as Billy Wagner. In 14 seasons with Houston, Philadelphia

and the New York Mets, Wagner has saved 385 games, which is seventh all-time in

baseball history. Wagner is sitting out this season after having elbow surgery.

"We have had quite a few like him, but it's about having the right chance at the

right time," Wagner said. "He was a hard worker and he had the arm strength and

speed and everything else.

"I've talked to him and he's doing well. He's recovering pretty good."

Peery is excited about the season that awaits, if only the skies would clear. He

has a plan. Now his Bulldogs simply need to follow it.

"It's just like every ball game, you need to get a good bounce," Peery said.

"Sometimes you get a bad hop or an injury, that's why we try to keep everything

on an even keel and hopefully everything will go according to plan."

—Contact Brian Woodson at

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