There is a road in Virginia Beach that features two High Schools literally back to back, on the same side of the street, separated in some parts by just a fence. Mill Dam Road, located in the N Great Neck Road area of VA Beach is home to Cape Henry Collegiate (1320) and First Colonial High School (1272). Cape Henry is a private, college preparatory school (K-12). First Colonial is a public high school. Two very impressive campuses, proud traditions, distinguished alumni, and excellent athletic programs including their baseball teams. And on Friday afternoon, the two met in a benefit game appropriately titled, “The Battle of Mill Dam Road.” And I stopped by to see the game and learn more about the game’s charity of choice.
I don’t know much about the story of Norbie Wilson. From what I have been able to gather from reading about him online, speaking with FCHS Head Coach Scott Stubbe, and certainly attending the game yesterday, Coach Norbie Wilson is a baseball icon in Virginia Beach baseball. His 417 victories and 14 Beach District titles barely tell the story of the impact Coach Wilson has had on this baseball community – the fans, the players, the district – it is probably impossible to calculate. FCHS Baseball Field is named for him, Norbie Wilson Field, in his honor, I suppose we can start there. And the benefit game I attended, the charity of choice was also in honor of Coach Wilson, who like so many of our loved ones, is battling a different opponent these days off the field, Alzheimer’s Disease.
So, after striking out in the main FCHS baseball parking lot, Rachel and I exited back onto Mill Dam Road and entered the school parking lot closest to the tennis courts. First Colonial had a number of athletic events on Friday afternoon/early evening, so parking spots were tough to find. We found a spot right next to the tennis courts, worked our way through the football/soccer stadium area, and over to Norbie Wilson Field. Tickets for the game were just $6 and fans could also donate more, if they so decided. By game time, there was a decent crowd filling up most of the bleachers. And a lot of fans standing and walking around and catching up with other fans and family members. The weather was a touch on the cool side, with plenty of sunshine and a nice breeze out to right field. On some many levels, this was a great afternoon for baseball.
Rachel and I found a spot on the bleachers closest to the concession stand and the home team, First Colonial Patriots. By game time, most of the bleachers were full and there were lawn chairs spread out along the perimeter of the backstop. Parents flocked to choice spots when their son came to bat, snapping those all important photos that will be shared with family, friends, and online groups for years to come. For the most part, it was a partly sunny day. I don’t like the term partly cloudy, it’s too negative. So, with it being partly sunny, choice photos were aided by Mother Nature’s natural effects.
On the backstop/fence post in front of our seats, there were a number of flyers and QR codes for donations and information about the game. One of the flyers read “Norbie Wilson Game to End ALZ” with ALZ referring to Alzheimer’s Disease. If you haven’t met anyone with Alzheimer’s Disease, take the time to go online and read up on it. It is a disease that affects so many people, not just the individual who has it. To date, there is no cure for it. And although there are medications and programs and resources to help individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s, the disease can be very traumatic and cruel and stressful for all parties involved. So, research and finding a cure for Alzheimer’s is most certainly on the top of many patients and families list of important things in life. And for that, I congratulate the folks creating, administering, and hosting the Norbie Wilson Game to end ALZ.
On the field on Friday, The Battle of Mill Dam Road was a pretty competitive game. Low scoring while Rachel and I were in attendance. Two very accomplished pitchers, throwing strikes. Two solid defenses, making both routine and routine plus plays. Good battles at the plate. Solid game from both teams. We left around the 4th inning or so. First Colonial did come out on top yesterday, edging Cape Henry by a score of 6-5, per the Beach District Baseball page. The weather was mostly sunny, with some clouds here and there, and a cool breeze that was chilly at times. Fans were in it from the first pitch and loud enough for us to hear all the way back to our car parked past the football stadium. It was an amazing afternoon of baseball and a more impressive afternoon of community support for a baseball icon in Virginia Baseball history, Coach Norbie Wilson.
For more photos and information on the game, here is a link to the First Colonial High School’s Instagram page – https://www.instagram.com/p/DX0PhZTgPff/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
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