HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — The Peninsula Pilots are celebrating their 25th season at War Memorial Stadium in Hampton and they’re doing it with a team that has the best record in the Coastal Plain League.
The CPL is a wood bat summer league for college baseball players looking to stay sharp in the off season.
Players on the Pilots come from colleges such as Michigan, James Madison, VMI, Old Dominion, Norfolk State and others.
Hank Morgan is the longtime coach of the Pilots. He and his father Henry, with help from the city of Hampton, have helped transform old War Memorial Stadium into a special place.
“The longest-tenured team when we moved in was the Phillies and they had a 10-year run,” Hank Morgan said. “It was really a moment of pride for us when we passed that mark and proved that we could be sustainable.”
Sustainable to the tune of an average attendance of 2,100 fans per game.
The CPL plays in some small communities and the crowds are not always great, but the players on the Pilots appreciate what they have at War Memorial.
“It’s a blessing to have that atmosphere that we have every game,” Pilots infielder Darnell Parker (Campbell) said.
Said Hank Morgan: “Super proud that it’s a place people can feel comfortable at and feel comfortable bringing their kids to.”
The Pilots have already clinched the first-half season title, but the ultimate goal is to bring home the first league title in 10 years.
“We are here to win, here to learn and here to grow,” pitcher Nate Varnier said. “Above all, we are here to take it to them, we are going to bring a [championship] home to Hampton Roads.”
The Pilots are back home Sunday against the Tri-Cities Chili Peppers.
