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John Battle head coach Jimmy Gobble meets with a pair of Trojans during the 2023 Region 2D championship game.

Emily Ball, Bristol Herald Courier

John Battle coach Jimmy Gobble talks to umpire Josh Thompson.

Emily Ball, Bristol Herald Courier

John Battle coach Jimmy Gobble

Emily Ball

Tim Hayes

Larry Carter was serving as pitching coach for the Wilmington Blue Rocks – Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals at the time – in the summer of 2001 when he began working daily with a prospect who happened to be one of the youngest players in the Carolina League.

The left-hander was just 19 years old when the season began and had a dogged determination to go along with a fierce fastball and wicked curveball. That kid’s name was Jimmy Gobble.

“He loved to compete and be out the

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