Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Tatum Thats definitely a big plus. In case youre wondering why certain sports that Delta State University offers arent listed above, its because we have no data on those sports. Instructor of Physical Education and Assistant Women's Volleyball Coach 3-Rock Farms Partnership Im like everybody else. Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Drake, Jr. Rick Cleveland is sports columnist for The Clarion-Ledger. Coach made such a strong impression, not just about baseball and sports but about life and planning for your future, Kinnison said decades later. Authors note: Delta State University will retire former head baseball coachMike Kinnison No. Phone: 662.246.6311. It hurt. Grisham, a Mississippi native, began his career path thanks to coach Ferriss after the coaching legend cut Grisham from his team in the fall of 1978. We believe its important to get a great education, whether you participate in sports or not. The story of how Boo Ferriss got his nickname is typical of how nicknames are created across the South: When he was a toddler, he tried to get the attention of Will D., his older brother. [10] Ferriss returned to Delta State in mid-1968, and he again served as head coach from 1970 until retiring after the 1988 season. DELTA DEVILS CALENDAR VIEW COMPOSITE CALENDAR Baseball February 26 | Final vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff WIN 16 - 3 Final Baseball vs Arkansas-Pine Bluff February 26, 2023 12 p.m. Mr. Jim Fisackerly Guy Barr Mr. Hubert Rackley, III While Wilburn said the wins and losses will come if you do things the right way, Clark said he believes Wilburn canprovide a "spark" to the baseball program right away. Forty-nine of his players earned All-Gulf South Conference honors. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. ", Clark added: "What excites me the most about coach Wilburn is his excitement and passion for wanting to build a program from bottom to top. I just hated that part of it., I was devastated, Kinnison said. Ferriss spent 46 years in baseball at the collegiate and professional levels and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1988. Mr. and Mrs. Gale Davis, Jr House Gas Co. Sam E. and Burnice C. Wittel Foundation Click " You just kind of fit the puzzle pieces together the best that you can and make the right decision for your family. City of Victoria. Delta State University Baseball Athletic Scholarships Powered by 1003 W Sunflower Rd Cleveland, MS 38733 (662) 846-3000 http://www.deltastate.edu/ Year Founded: 1924 Religious Affiliation: None College Type: Public , Suburban Enrollment: 3750 (full time undergrad) Tuition In State: $7,671 Tuition Out of State: $7,671 Division: NCAA II Conference: "I care more about the kid off the field then I do one the field. Mr. Freddie Chiles Wapahani, BSU grad Devin Wilburn tabbed as Delta's head baseball coach I think this is, hopefully, going to be a long-term job for me. Mike Kinnison named Delta State Director of Athletics - WJTV Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Koestler In fact, he played for former major-leaguer and University of Texas Coach Bibb Falk in a league that was probably more talented than the Piedmont League. DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS c/o Chadwick-Dickson Athletic Field House DSU Box A3 Cleveland, Miss. Your browser does not support JavaScript! Eight Delta Devils Selected To Phil Steele All-SWAC Team - Mississippi Valley State University. From there, Wilburn played three combined seasons over two stints at Ball State University. Delta Reds II Mr. and Mrs. George Rhodes Delta State University Men's Baseball $140,748 Net Profit/Loss 51 Team Members There are 51 players on the Delta State University men's baseball team, and they are led by one head coach and 3 assistant coaches. And that is what happened. Showcases. Dr. Ben Mitchell We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Mr. Walter Barrett, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Barrett Mrs. Shirley Johnson The head coaching job at Delta High School is one that Devin Wilburn has had circled in his mind. Mr. Jerry Stigler Mrs. Eloise Walker Dr. and Mrs. David M. Ferriss Dr. and Mrs. Kent Wyatt He retired from Delta State in 1988 and became the schools most avid fan and chief fundraiser. Some defensive statistics Copyright Baseball Info Solutions, 2010-2022. Bio. Barry Lyons, who played for Ferriss from 1979 to 1982 before going on to play in the major leagues for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, and California Angels, wept openly that championship day. After graduating college, Cates coached for Kirby High School. Your browser does not support JavaScript . But know this: For two and a half seasons, before a freak shoulder injury sidetracked him, Mississippian David Boo Ferriss was as promising, as effective a pitcher, as any of those baseball legends. Delta State University Bachelor's degreePhysical Education Teaching and Coaching 2005 - 2008 Activities and Societies: Kappa Alpha Psi Hinds Community College Associate of Arts (A.A.)Art/Art. Mrs. Susanne Blalock Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Smith, Jr. Delta State University brought in $141,624 in revenue from its womens tennis program while paying out $86,907 in expenses. The average salary is $32,999 a year for assistant coaches of mens teams and $20,817 for assistant coaches of womens teams. The Delta State University womens soccer team is made up of 33 players who, in turn, are trained and guided by a head coach and 2 assistant coaches. He won a national championship in 2004 and six NCAA Regional titles as head coach. Debbie Brock, a point guard, was 4-foot-11. The hope was that he could sneak in a summer of professional ball before receiving a draft into military service. Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Noel Funchess "Im a baseball fan, there area lot of baseball fans out there," Clark said. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Wiggins Posted on June 12, 2017 by Delta State. Courtesy Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Wal-Mart This was 1938, and Mississippi was still in the grips of the Great Depression. Mr. Roy Sandefer Mr. Tommy Crenshaw If you are an existing Print subscriber click. He has been named NCAA Regional Coach of the Year three times while also earning Gulf South Conference coaching honors three times. He was fired in 2013 after a 11-40 season. [7] He was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2002. Mr. and Mrs. George Dennis Short Mr. Charles Jacobs Mr. and Mrs. Willo Goodwin Mr. and Mrs. Larry W. Easley Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. to see all of their content. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Marchant, who played baseball at Delta State from 1965 to 1969, chose to become a Statesman because of former Red Sox pitcher and legendary DSU coach Dave "Boo" Ferriss. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Davidson Delta States Coach Ferriss. Southern Indiana (49-13) Tracy Archuleta. Posted on March 22, 2021 by Gregory Braggs. Dr. Wayne Lee, Jr He soaked it all in all that and more. United States. In college baseball 40-win seasons are considered the gold standard. Baseball alumni reunite on campus - News and Events Mrs. Jerry Taylor He chose State and became the first baseball player to receive a full scholarship to what was then Mississippi State College. Ferriss and Coach Falk were looking forward to another spring and summer of Army ball, but Ferriss suffered a recurrence of asthma, a problem that had bothered him off and on since youth. Mrs. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Buchanan Mr. and Mrs. Bob Billingsley 3 7 18 Mississippi Valley State Athletics Among the people Ive known, Boo would be the one youd copy if you could and say I want to be like that man. The two form a two-man mutual admiration society. Delta State University Sports Hall of Fame, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dave_Ferriss&oldid=1134516361, United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II, Louisville Colonels (minor league) players, Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball players, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. The mens swimming and diving program at Delta State University made $362,872 in revenue and spent $175,176 in expenses. In addition to the head coaches of Delta State University sports, there are 22 assistant coaches of mens teams and 12 assitant coaches of womens teams. I learned to appreciate the managers and support people. Well, I knew what was coming. Ferris died Thursday at the age of 94. In Grishams The Kindest Cut, the author details his time at Delta State and how coach Ferriss handled the difficult task of cutting the would-be outfielder. Ferriss promised Kinnison a chance to walk on and try out. Your browser does not support JavaScript! Then on a chilly, damp night in Cleveland, Ohio July 14, 1947 the world changed for Ferriss. I just didnt have room for Mike. He died on November 24, 2016, in Cleveland.[14][15]. They had two children, Dr. David Ferriss and Margaret Ferriss White, and two grandchildren. Men's basketball won the Gulf South Conference tournament, and Delta State welcomes new Head Coach Mike Nienaber, who comes to us from Christian Brothers University. Ferriss responded, handing both bills to the other guy, Sorry, fella, but that was me.. Live Events - University of West Florida Athletics President LaForge, Ronnie Mayers. 2014. Out of those losses, however, 11 of them came by four runs or less, including a two-run loss to eventual sectional champion Hamilton Heights in the postseason. Mr. Gene Bryant High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 64 in the afternoon. Yawkey Foundation II Kinnison first met Boo Ferris when Ferriss spoke at the Benton Academy athletic banquet Kinnisons senior year of high school. Kinnisons teams routinely win 50 games. Denton Dairy Products, Incorporated I looked around and saw about 70 guys there and thats when it dawned on me that I was a little bitty fish in great big pond.. I was where I always wanted to be. Tune in to Coach Batts and slugger Hayden White as they show us a few things on the diamond. The only way I could even toss the ball was underhand, he said. The group enjoyed lunch downtown with their former coach, the legendary Boo Ferriss, and his wife Miriam. The head coach and 2 assistant coaches train and lead the 10 players of the Delta State University womens tennis team. When he arrived home in Shaw after the season, so did his draft papers. Mr. and Mrs. Raymond M. Hale III Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Holder Tournaments. In terms of financials, the Delta State University womens softball program paid out $242,999 in expenses and made $225,392 in total revenue. Mark this down as a good thing. Contact him via email atrgeneral@gannett.com,on Twitter @rgeneraljrorphone at 765-283-8864. New. W.D. Not all college sports teams can say that. Twenty former players received Academic All-American honors and forty former players are now coaching in the high school and college ranks. Ole Miss and Alabama had offered half scholarships. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, U.S. Department of Educations Equity in Athletics Data Analysis (EADA). Nancy Harvey, while at DSU, was a member and officer of Delta Delta Delta sorority and served on the Panhellenic Board. Ferriss never pushed his youngest son into the game. The official Baseball Coach List for the Delta State University Statesmen Baseball Coaches - Delta State University Athletics Skip To Main Content Pause All Rotators Delta State University The Official Website of Delta State University Athletics Main Navigation Menu Delta State University The bases were loaded with two outs. We all know we are part of something very special and we all know who made it that way. Delta State was a much more advanced program than anything I had ever seen, Kinnison said. DII Baseball Championship History | NCAA.com After receiving the trophy, Kinnison leaped into the grandstand, bounded up the bleachers, and presented the trophy to a teary-eyed Ferriss. Elder He averaged 42.5 victories per season. David Meadow Ferriss (December 5, 1921 November 24, 2016) was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched for the Boston Red Sox from 1945 through 1950. To stay up to date on the Alumni Associations activities, follow these social media sites: Facebook (Statesmen Graduates), Twitter (@DSU_Alumni), Tumblr (http://www.dsualumni.tumblr.com), LinkedIn (DSU alumni), Instagram (dsualumni) and You Tube (dsualumni1). She was elected to and served as an officer of Kappa Delta Pi, an Education Honor Society and was chosen by the faculty as a Faculty Scholar and included in Whos Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Quinton Enterprises More than once hed come up to me as I was finishing washing and drying and hand me a 20 dollar bill, Kinnison says. William Worsham Smith, Jr. One of Marchant's highlights of his career as a player was being able to pitch in the first Division II College World Series in 1968 in Springfield, Missouri. Staff Directory - Delta State University Athletics Harvey is now in private business after a very successful stint as a senior executive with leading global hotel companies including Hilton Hotels Corporation. Read excerpt of Ferriss interview where he talks about signing with the Boston Red Sox. Mr. Mike Fielder Mr. Emmett Morris Coach caught me between classes and asked me to come to his office. Stephen Head, of the University of Mississippi, became the Ferriss Trophys first recipient. Cary, N.C. 2013. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Bond Well, I didnt have any intention of doing that. Instead of taking batting practice, Kinnison shagged balls for others. Dr. Smith Murray If you are an existing Print subscriber click HERE for your login info. Mike was one of the best managers I ever had, Ferriss says. As a student-athlete, Harvey helped the Statesmen to the 1977 & 1978 College World Series, and the 1978 and 1979 Gulf South Conference Championships. Wed Apr 12. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. His ability to throw either right- or left-handed would amaze baseball people throughout his career. The head coaches of mens teams make about $83,101 on average, and the yearly average salary of womens team head coaches is $59,002. Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Howell When the Red Sox started slowly in 1945, Ferriss was called up and made a spectacular major league debut with a five-hit shutout against the Athletics on April 29. Mr. and Mrs. C. Newt Willis This category is for people who have coached college baseball at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi . Mrs. Brenda Dean Delta State legend Lucy Harris, a basketball pioneer, has died at 66 Cleveland State Bank One month after leading Delta State baseball to his 8th Gulf South Conference Championship, head coach Mike Kinnison is named athletic director. She has financially supported several students with gifts and scholarships over the years in their pursuit of secondary and higher education. George Metkovich, Clevelands lead-off hitter, was at the plate and the count was full at three balls and two strikes. He had no idea what had happened. [10] His 6393878 record as Delta State head coach ranks him among all-time national coaching leaders at the NCAA Division II level. In 1946, Ferriss was the American Leagues number one pitcher with a 25-6 record and he pitched the Red Sox to a 4-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1946 World Series. Harvey still holds the career record for triples (14) and walks (140), and is tied for the single-game hits record with six. He had scholarship offers from the University of Alabama, University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), and Mississippi State. On average, the school gave males around $3,689 of sports aid and women received about $3,885. Delta Regional Foundation Delta State; Baseball Coach Mike Kinnison discusses 2016-17 season. Also in 2008, Ferriss received an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from Delta State. Harvey received the Lawrence L. Stewart Service Award in April, 2015 for his support of Delta State athletics. The 37 players of the Delta State University mens swimming and diving team are led by a head coach and 2 assistant coaches. His 1985 team was ranked No. In his twenty-six seasons at Delta State, his teams won 639 games and lost only 387 and often defeated much larger schools such as Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Southern Mississippi. My main goal,when I first get in there, is to try and lay the foundation and help people understand that were going to do things the right way, were going to play the game the way that its supposed to be played. The following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. Mr. Lee Burke Mr. Jackie Joe Davis Most people simply know him as Boo. He is Dave Boo Ferriss, Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer and legendary coach of the Delta State University Statesmen. 5:00 PM CDT. 14U . [13], Ferriss lived with his wife, Miriam Izard Ferriss, in Cleveland, Mississippi. But Kinnison was not college baseball material at that point. Making matters worse, Kinnison had spent the previous summer away from baseball. One of the graduate assistant coaches heard him and jumped on it. - the ability to be paid for posting Delta State baseball coach Dave "Boo" Ferris (33) with pitcher Joe Hubal (19) and catcher Steve Tomaszewski (29) during game in the mid-1970s. Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Mike Kinnison, Judson Thigpen, Campers will receive a kit full of supplies for hands-on fun! He and his father had decided that he would play his junior season at State, and then sign a contract with a professional team. at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Delta_State_Statesmen_baseball_coaches&oldid=611809837, College baseball coaches in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 6 June 2014, at 11:54. They receive, on average, about $3,743 in sports-related student aid to attend Delta State University. Mr. and Mrs. Russell W. Osborne Photograph of Ferriss is from the 1965 Delta State yearbook, The Broom. Delta State football coach Cooley gets contract extension Russell Wilburn Field at Chambers Park in Muncie is named in his grandfather's honor. What was Ferriss medical treatment in 1947? Leonore O Malley Ill give you an example. Ms. Stella Corley He finished the 1947 season with a 12-11 record for Boston. His arm troubles and asthma restricted him to only nine starts and 31 appearances in 1948, and four appearances in 1949. Anybody who has ever played baseball will tell you how different that is. So, basically, the school broke even - but thats a whole lot better than losing money! The baseball program at Delta State University made $592,592 in revenue and spend $451,844 in expenses. The story of how "Boo" Ferriss got his nickname is typical of how nicknames are created across the South: When he was a toddler, he tried to get the attention of Will D., his older brother. In Grisham's "The Kindest Cut," the author details his time at Delta State and how coach Ferriss handled the difficult task of cutting the would-be outfielder. He was offering some money. Mr. and Mrs. Milton C. Plitt c/o Chadwick-Dickson Athletic Field House, The Official Website of Delta State University Athletics, External Relations/Athletic Communications, TicketSmarter - Official Ticket Resale Marketplace, 2022 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Tickets, Senior Executive Associate A.D. for Compliance, Academics, and Internal Operations/SWA, Assistant A.D. for Health & Sports Performance (FB, MBB, WBB, XC, Golf, Cheer), Assistant Athletic Trainer (FB, MSD, WSD, Tenn, SB), Assistant Athletic Trainer (MSoc, WSoc, BSB). Mr. and Mrs. Wiley J. Barbour Hes the guy who laid the foundation. Are you looking to get noticed by college coaches? The story of how Kinnison, the hard-working son of a Yazoo County farmer, found his way to Delta State and eventually came back to his alma mater is worth telling and re-telling. Dr. and Mrs. Bryce Griffis You know, its important for him, being local and having those connections and wanting to see our youth program do well and know that thats the future of his program, as well.". MUNCIE, Ind. This Month in Sports ReferenceFind out when we add a feature or make a change. His former Red Sox teammates, guys like baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr, marvel at how Ferriss dealt with his misfortune. Im not going to lie to you. He held that role until early 1967, when he left Delta State to take the role of assistant athletic director at Mississippi State University. That is, the program raked in a net profit of $187,696 for the school. Kinnison had pretty much resigned himself to just that. Hed tell me, Go eat a steak tonight. He previously served as an assistant coach during the 2019-2020 season, where his responsibilities included serving as the program's recruiting . Mrs. Carol Tatum He guided Delta State teams to the NCAA Division II playoffs in eight of his last twelve seasons, including three trips to the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship resulting in finishes of third (1977), second (1978), and third (1982). Playing career [ edit] Gulf South Conference championships came in 1978, 1979, 1985, and 1988, along with a second-place finish in 1981 and third-place in 1982. A late bloomer, he spent his first two years out of high school at Holmes Community College where he played football and baseball as a freshman and basketball and baseball as a sophomore. to view this author's last article or Ms. Michelle Baron The head coach and 2 assistant coaches train and lead the 33 players of the Delta State University mens soccer team. Mr. Charles Jourdan He was talking about being a manager, and he told me to get back to him. Mr. Tim Nicholson Rodney G. McDonald - District Athletic Director - LinkedIn Itawamba CC. Mr. and Mrs. Matt Jones Thats much better than a loss. Lucy Harris, a post player, was 6-foot-3. Mr. Steve Martin You have to spend time with the ones who arent in the game, make sure they stay interested and focused. 196 sold. Youve got to settle the bet, one of them said. A group of Delta State University baseball alumni recently gathered for a weekend of fun reunion activities on campus. Ferriss farmed for a living, he was a baseball man at heart. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Byrd Service Station, Inc. Ferriss with a photograph from his early career prior to the November 2002 induction ceremonies for the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame. It was the first time I had ever been told I wasnt going to be able to play ball. If asked to name the most famous, the most successful baseball pitchers in history, most sports enthusiasts would name Christy Mathewson, Walter Johnson, Cy Young, Bob Feller, Whitey Ford, Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, Roger Clemens . Dr. Ron Hogan In May 2004, the 82-year-old Ferriss watched from the stands as Kinnisons Delta State Statesmen finally won a national championship. "Thats obviously not super realistic, but for me its laying the foundation for what we want. In 1978 and 1982 he was selected as College Baseball Coach of the Year in Mississippi and was runner-up in that category in 1985. Dr. and Mrs. Douglas L. Adams Delta State's Kinnison elected to ABCA Hall of Fame - The Vicksburg Post Dr. and Mrs. Ellen C. Ewing Two weeks later, Ferriss was back in the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation. So, the program was a moneymaker for the school, bringing in $140,748 in net profit. He served in that capacity from 1955 until 1959, when he accepted a job to become the baseball coach and athletic director at Delta State in Cleveland, Mississippi. In February 1945, he was given his medical discharge from the Army. Tracey Stewart-Lange leaves Lyon, hired as new Delta State women's After military service he joined the Boston Red Sox in 1945 where he spent 10 years in the organization (five years as a pitcher and five years as the pitching coach). Then, a week later, he was walking from one class to another when Ferriss drove by and then pulled over to the side of the road. Assistant Baseball Coach - Mississippi Delta Community College San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Avenue Stockton, California 95201 (209) 954-5151 The San Joaquin Delta College Athletics Department is not responsible for and does not endorse any website representing San Joaquin Delta College Athletics, that is not linked to the Official Website of San Joaquin Delta College Athletics web page. So, the program was a moneymaker for the school, bringing in $107,071 in net profit. Dr. Raanne Tindle Harvey-Ferriss Dedication - Notable Events When he played for Boo Ferriss, Mike Kinnison (left) got a hitting lesson from none other than Ted Williams, a Baseball Hall of Fame and perhaps the greatest hitter who ever lived. Mr. and Mrs. Langston Rogers That summer, right-handed Ferriss learned to throw the ball left-handed. He also taught in the computer science and mathematics departments at the school. Ferriss reported for spring training with the Red Sox Class AA Louisville team in 1945, expecting to pitch at least another season of minor league ball before getting to the major leagues. He said he would call Coach Ferriss.. Mr. Dom Bevalaque Harris was the only African American player on the Delta State team, recruited by assistant coach Melvin Hemphill after she had starred for Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood. He needed money to pay his tuition, so he worked off-shore on an oil rig. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. But that summer Scratch Kinnison played semipro baseball with a team in Greenwood that included several Delta State players. Mr. and Mrs. John M. Alexander On the plus side, this means that the program made $54,717 in net profit for the school. Robby General covers East Central Indiana high school sportsfor The Star Press. This is great since many college sports programs lose money. The award is officially called the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, including the name of corporate cosponsor C Spire Wireless. Photo courtesy Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. Capt. Now, he's trying to take what he learned playing for and coaching alongside Wapahani's Brian Dudley, Ball State's Rich Maloney and Taylor's Kyle Gould to Delta. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Giger Mr. Nicholas House Those out on the field are involved in the game. He won a national championship in 2004 and six NCAA Regional titles as head coach. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils And Devilettes Mr. Bart Gregory One of the most promising careers in baseball history was essentially over just as it was getting started. This list may not reflect recent changes. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hughes Mr. and Mrs. Billy F. Boswell Mississippi Valley State Athletics (@MVSUDevilSports) / Twitter As a rookie in 1945, Ferriss won twenty-one games for an otherwise forgettable Red Sox team that finished in seventh place in an eight-team league. 18, 2022 at 6:52 PM PDT. Full service ticketing software and network systems for professional box office managers. Mr and Mrs William R Wade III Unlike most pitchers, who are usually poor hitters, Ferriss hit like a natural hitter. I just didnt have any pop on my fast ball, he said. Mr. and Mrs. John L. Pearson Not all college sports teams can say that. Mrs. Kathryn Arant Baseball is Delta pastime Ferriss was born in Shaw, Mississippi, at the beginning of the Roaring Twenties. It was great preparation really, although I didnt look at it that way at the time. The Delta State University womens softball team is made up of 19 players who, in turn, are trained and guided by a head coach and 3 assistant coaches.