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07/06/2008
enlargefrom the Kennebec Journal
HOSPITAL'S COPAY WAIVER ENDS
Beverage tax foes raise $2M
'First dude' Todd Palin set for Palmyra visit today
Local schools holding court
Maine set to make bond sales direct to investors
Schools wise to energy savings
HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Jones helps Cony to tie
HIGH SCHOOL GOLF: Rams, Eagles in hunt
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
MAN CHARGED IN CRASH
PALMYRA Todd Palin to visit today
State cuts MaineGeneral's ranking
HARTLAND FIRING SPURS DEMONSTRATION
Soda companies pour cash into repeal effort
'We are in a difficult moment in our history'
'Dogs D stops Eagles
Messalonskee looking for team golf championship today
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
BY GARY HAWKINS
Staff Writer
When Ray Vallee took the baseball job at Cony High School two years ago, he made a commitment to put time into the entire program, not just the varsity team.
So far, Vallee's made good on his promise. He's brought back a summer baseball camp for kids in which 63 boys from Augusta participated. He's re-established the fall baseball program, and he's become Augusta's American Legion coach.
His hard work is beginning to pay off. This spring the Rams won the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A championship and reached the semifinals of the Eastern A tournament, finishing at 13-5 overall.
For his efforts, Vallee has been selected Kennebec Journal Baseball Coach of the Year. Gardiner's Jim Palmer, Winthrop's Marc Fortin and Richmond's Ryan Gardner were also considered.
With just one senior on the team this year and several sophomores in the starting lineup, Vallee said his team is right on schedule.
"Going into this year, we wanted to host a playoff game and compete for the KVAC championship," Vallee said. "We exceeded my expectations, but we did not exceed my hope."
Vallee has also surrounded himself with good coaches. In addition to hiring a personal trainer to put together an off-season weight program for the team, he brought on former Cony coach and UMaine star Rex Turner to help with the hitters and outfielders. Augusta policeman and former college pitcher Eric Lloyd handles the pitchers.
"He would routinely seek input from all of us coaches," Turner said of Vallee. "He listened and considered our input."
Vallee said his father Ray has been his primary coaching influence.
"He had four sons and he coached everything we did," Vallee said. "He was fair and disciplined and organized."
Vallee has followed those tenets, according to Turner.
"He does a good job or mixing enthusiasm and fun with discipline and a work ethic," Turner said.
Vallee is president of Combined Benefits United, an insurance marketing group. He recently moved his office from Lewiston to Hallowell, he said, "just so I can be closer to the fields and stuff."
Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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