Former Providence Grove pitcher Canaan Sheppard delivers a pitch for the Randolph Ropin’ Roosters. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)
RAMSEUR — The Randolph Ropin’ Roosters are a new summer collegiate baseball team making their home in Ramseur.
There’s a local element with the rosters along with coach Shane Worth, who coaches the high school team at Providence Grove.
“They called in November,” Worth said. “I’ve coached JUCO before and this level before. It’s a learning process.”
The Old North State League team is comprised mostly of junior college players or Division III players.
“It don’t seem any different. It’s college baseball,” Worth said. “Over the years of coaching, I’ve been familiar with the Old North (State) League for years.”
Players with area ties include pitcher/infielder Canaan Sheppard, who played for Worth at Providence Grove and is going to Guilford Tech; pitcher Jake Little, formerly of Trinity and most recently with Florence-Darlington Tech; catcher Caleb Dunn, a former Randleman player who most recently has been with Brunswick Community College; pitcher Carter Catlett, formerly of Randleman and now with Greensboro College; and infielder Trey Kennedy, a former player for Uwharrie Charter Academy.
Worth, a former associate head coach and pitching coach for Surry Community College, was charged with putting together the roster, so that’s a recruiting endeavor. He’s also boys’ basketball coach at Providence Grove.
“I haven’t had a breather since October,” he said. “I had to recruit and get these guys. It kind of brought back memories from Surry.”
Most of the players live within reasonable driving distance of Ramseur. Five out-of-area players require housing, Worth said.
“We’re hoping in the future to have more come in,” he said. ”
Numerous players had three or four weeks off since their regular seasons ended, so it has taken time to get pitchers in a groove.
“Arms are starting to get back a little,” Worth said.
Worth is a former coach at South Stokes. Former players under Worth at South Stokes playing for the Ropin’ Roosters are pitcher Maddox Nelson and catcher Nolan Coe.
Nelson threw a gem when the Ropin’ Roosters won 4-0 against the Hendersonville Honeycrisps. The new team’s first home run was hit by Kevin Rodriguez.
Ex-UCA outfielder Walker Wilkins, who has been at Brunswick Community College, and former UCA infielder Alex Carver had been on early roster editions but they’re not with the team.
Worth said improvements have been evident at Craven Stadium, which was home to a previous summer collegiate team when the Old North State League launched in 2019. The stadium is located behind Ramseur Elementary School.
“A new team has to get all the bugs worked out,” he said.
Jamieson Thomas is the general manager for the Ropin’ Roosters.
Old North State League is a summer collegiate wooden bat league that has grown to 24 teams. The Ropin’ Roosters’ schedule goes through July 19, though the final home game is listed for July 15.
