Forgotten Eagles

College baseball is back at ‘The Don’. The Uwharrie Wampus Cats are an independent collegiate wood-bat baseball team beginning play with the 2023 season! Making their home at what will be a newly-upgraded Don Montgomery Park in Albemarle, North Carolina's downtown area, the team will play a schedule of more than 40 games during the summer and compete with the Carolina Disco Turkeys of Winston-Salem for the Highway 52 Cup as part of a season rivalry series. Other opponents for the Wampus Cats will include top area and regional teams, including high-profile exhibition match-ups at the Wilmington Sharks and Boone Bigfoots of the Coastal Plain League.

In this episode of ‘Forgotten Eagles’, Jeff Frye, “Former Major League Baseball player and your Certified Hitting Guru” joins the show. Jeff talks about his baseball career before tackling the madness of baseball social media and the countless hitting gurus across the nation. #SheGone

The Finale. The much anticipated 3rd and final podcast with Blake Helm is one for the ages. A true story of heartbreak, triumph and undenied courage. Blake Helm is a true journeyman and shares all from his unbelievable path from camouflage back to cleats and the insane ups and downs both physically and mentally - from a local men’s league to his first professional baseball contract and a reality show with Cal Ripken Jr. sprinkled somewhere in between. Not only all of that but Helm also delivers with an insane firefighting story, hitting with Jayson Werth and much more on this unforgettable podcast!

Blake Helm rejoins ‘The Nest’ for Part 2 and it’s as advertised. And will leave you excited for the Part 3 finale! Helsabeck and Helm travel through the wild career Helm has had on and off the diamond. From Lincoln Land CC to Murray State to the military and multiple injuries throughout, Blake dives deep into the process, the emotions of the roller coaster ride and much more! Broken bats adorning fire places and breaking into cages searching for that swing to ‘click’ again, it’s not a surprise that these two former baseball players hit it off from day 1 and continue that wonderful relationship here in Part 2 for all to hear!

This episode brings on the ‘TreFo’ native and one of Helsabeck’s all time best friends, Jacob Russell! Jon and Jake talk about the infamous first time the two met before diving into Jake’s high school athletic career and how he actually ended up on a video game! Stories of playing for Coach Helsabeck along with a brotherly love relationship that blossomed over the years, this podcast tells all. Along with a lot of insight for the athletes of today. ‘The ball was fair’ - ‘get your pants on’ - starting DW Baseball and much more! Plus, a look into fatherhood as the ‘Young King’ Knox Jeffrey Russell was just born! These stories have been told many times, but never from a ‘Celebrity Shot’ standpoint, as Jake is the All-Time Appearance Record Holder as a pitcher at NCCU and again, he’s on a video game! Another ride down memory lane from brothers, another great podcast to peak into in your travels!

‘The King of Fall’, Hunter Pate joins Coach Helsabeck in this episode and it is a doozy! Parents and Players alike should listen to the beauty that is, Hunter Pate! A man using his platform to serve the Lord and Savior - Jesus Christ and teach the future of the game. Pate may be crushing it on the ‘Men’s Slow Pitch Circuit’, but he’s doing so much more when he isn’t playing. The two guys talk about Pate’s time in Albemarle after shout outs to Dale Neve and the All4God baseball brand! The power swinging, almost 32 year old Pate drops a TON of baseball knowledge for the listeners! Pate also tells you why Helsabeck is deemed, “The Wizard”.....

The #1 ranked baseball player in South Carolina in the 2024 class and top 5 ranked player nationally, PJ Morlando joins Coach Helsabeck in ‘The Nest’ and its everything that is right with the world. Helsabeck drops an announcement about his future before the player/coach duo dive into the generational talent that is... PJ Morlando. PJ talks about his early years of baseball, the high school and summer grind, the mental side of baseball, his approach and much more! An absolutely delightful podcast... kids, take notes! PJ drops tons of baseball knowledge throughout... a must listen!

The 23rd episode was not planned this way but is without a doubt one of the most intriguing podcast to date. Guest, and former collegiate summer ball teammate of Jon Helsabeck, Blake Helm joins the podcast and it is one for the ages. The guest and former pro baseball player flips the script and becomes the hosts and dives into Helsabeck’s story! After talking about Blake’s high school tenure and injury-ridden collegiate career, he changes the game and dives head first into the story of Jon Helsabeck. And as he peels back layers, it seems to shed a light on just why Helsabeck has so much passion in life, the game of baseball and why he stands for what he believes in. Part 2 coming soon where Blake Helm and Helsabeck dive into the Illinois native’s story and return the favor!

Former Eagle catcher Aaron Snead joins the podcast and boy does he have a story to tell! Snead talks about failing out of UNC Charlotte before finding a home at Stanly. Snead discusses all kinds of crazy occurrences including a coach asking if we were home or away in the top of the 1st inning with 1 out recorded! The Rockingham fight returns along with a plethora of stories including a foul ball that busted a windshield, a transformer blowing up, pitchers umpiring intersquads and much more! Another golden episode from the guys bringing you the stories of the Stanly Baseball Program!

In a super special *Celebrity Shot* edition, the Head Baseball Coach of Southeastern Community College joins ‘The Nest.’ Robert Burns, one of the youngest collegiate head baseball coach’s in the nation joins Coach Helsabeck to discuss a wide array of topics. Burns’ early years growing up, playing college baseball which of course comes with crazy college baseball stories (i.e. a teammate losing a finger), becoming an announcer, going through depression ... and oh yea, a brain surgery somewhere in all that... ultimately leads you to who, what, when, where, why and how Coach Burns got the head job - how season one went - and what to expect at ‘The Pasture’ moving forward. It’s a beautiful episode! We hope you guys enjoy listening to it as much as we did recording it!

There goes the neighborhood! Tim Silsby joins Coach Helsabeck in ‘The Nest’ and its exactly what you’d expect. In the first part of what could be a 100-part podcast, the former RHP talks about life on Lake Wallenpaupack, moving to Albemarle, meeting the boys, spiking his bullpen fastball and a time when Coach Helsabeck smoked him in the back of the arm with a ball off of a fungo the day before Opening Day! Drug testing, another angle on the ‘Clear Eyes’ game and much, much more make this yet another phenomenal podcast. Buckle up... and oh yeah, ‘hide your wives.’

On this *Special Edition* of Forgotten Eagles Podcast, former SCC baseball player Travis Fetter and his mom Sheila join Helsabeck in ‘The Nest’ and discuss what we all know to be true, ‘everyone has their fight.’ Helsabeck begins with discussing a mental burden that was recently swept away by the grace of God and the relief of ‘the weight of the world’ disappearing which ultimately led to a message from Travis regarding his mom’s story. Travis and Sheila talk about one night that changed their lives, and not for the better. A battle with crippling depression and a card board box that led to rejuvenation, a heart warming creation and ‘giving it all to HIM,’ make this one of the most inspirational podcasts to date. Originally hoped to publish on Mothers Day but better late than never! “Be as tough as your mothers!” For ordering information on the product talked about in this podcast, please reach out to Sheila Fetter at 704.500.9341 or Jon Helsabeck at 843.957.9527. -Ephesians 6:10-

Episode #18 of ‘Forgotten Eagles’ Podcast brings a ton of positivity and a story of ... you truly can do anything you set your mind to. Former SCC ‘southpaw’ Eric Sampson joins the ‘Nest’ and catches up with Coach Helsabeck. Sampson talks about his journey to Stanly, the Marell family, the ‘Carlos Kelly story’, the final game at SCC, his fingerprints on today’s college athletes and much more in this heart warming podcast! Coach Helsabeck even gets a little ready eyed when talking about a letter he received from Sampson a few years ago.

This episode of ‘Forgotten Eagles’ is pure gold again as guest and former two-way Eagle, Casey Liles joins the podcast. Liles and Helsabeck start off with discussions on military time, choosing Stanly and more before Helsabeck talks about a moment where he had to grow up quick and be a mentor. Momma’s cooking was always great, Big Ed was always Big Ed, a Bozo the clown haircut and of course a Rockingham fight story plus much more continues to make this the greatest podcast you haven’t listened to yet. Especially if you’re a base all fan! Putting in beautiful floors for celebrities is fun and all... but nothing can beat that time in Albemarle, NC!

Native of Dobson, NC .. umpire Jamie Payne joins the podcast! ‘The Robot’ umpired a countless number of Helsabeck’s games as a player and a coach at SCC, including the infamous ‘Rockingham Fight’ game. Mr. Payne .. aka ‘Blue!’ tells an array of stories from his time on the diamond from legion baseball games to professional baseball games. Including an unforgettable story about his first professional game. Of course Helsabeck tells his infamous, ‘the ball was fair story’, along with a Jon Wall story at PHCC where a coach, ‘just had to stick up for his guy.’ And much much more! The umpire / coach combo do not disappoint in this podcast! Everyone involved in baseball in any facet (player, coach, parent, fan) must tune in to this podcast!

This is it! The finale! With Tutterrow. Coach and Player talk about a party on Austin Street before a guy turns down a big time school for a JuCo and then Carlos Kelly wears one in the jaw. Helsabeck talks about social media and much more before this podcast drops a bomb about the FBI and some things that happened regarding the end of Eagle nation.

Sit back and relax and enjoy this installment with Jacob Tutterow and Jon Helsabeck. Tutterow dives right into his coaching pedigree, steroids and becoming an assistant high school wrestling coach while still playing college baseball. Then the former Eagle tells one of the most ‘Waterboy’ like stories you’ll ever hear about the always flamboyant Coach Helsabeck before he talks about ‘beers in a mailbox.’ Stories of early morning classes and cranky teammates, ghosts in an attic and another epic Southeastern CC story involving brews and a home run derby keep the train cleanly on the track in this one. Plus much more!

Tutterow and Helsabeck continue their journey in which turned into Part 3 (for your listening pleasure) by beginning with ‘the forgotten recruiting class’ and getting to eat first after a hard days work. Tutterow then talks about yet another ‘random’ drug testing ordeal before he speaks on his vantage point when the tension between the ‘teacher’ and the ‘pupil’ came to a boiling point at Wake Tech. And a story of how umpires are awful... of course. Plus much more!

Tutterow and Helsabeck dive into life as a bullpen catcher before the Blue/Gold World Series and Tutterow’s triumph and then a knockout in Danville, Virginia along with crazy weather, pierced nipples and much more!

The first installment in the journey with Jacob Tutterow is a must listen for all! Especially, but not limited to, young athletes today! Tutterow and Helsabeck talk about Police tape on the outfield fence, Kellie Pickler, sneaking beer into ‘Corner Pocket’, ‘Reindeer Games’ and much more before Coach Tutterow drops tons of knowledge for the youth of our nation!

In the third and final installment with Dylan Pfingst and Jon Helsabeck, the duo talk about a wild night in a pool hall in Myrtle Beach before going back to Albemarle to cover the Iron Man Challenge. Pfingst then recalls an interaction with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred at USA Baseball. Service dogs and more get us towards the end before a must listen ending to any youth baseball player as Coach Pfingst discusses the recruiting process and more

Former Stanly baseball player Dylan Pfingst returns for Part 2 as a guest and confirms the information provided by Derek Moses and the Campbell fiasco! Pfingst continues to relive his time as an Eagle and discusses his first collegiate win which was a big upset over a nationally ranked team before diving into discussions of a ‘random’ drug testing debacle, the Rockingham brawl and much more!

Former Stanly CC RHP and position player Dylan Pfingst joins us on ‘Forgotten Eagles’. Pfingst and Coach Helsabeck discuss an array of things beginning with Spider Tack and Western Forsyth Post 522 baseball before jumping into life in Albemarle NC, including Courtyard Baseball - a debacle at Wilkes CC and more before an infamous baseball drill being completed successfully at a youth camp in Myrtle Beach, SC!

In the final part with guest Derek Moses, coach Helsabeck and Derek talk about ‘a night on the town’ before Derek dives into incompetence, calling pitches from the dugout, advice to youth players today and much more in this unforgettable podcast. *Adult language and awkward stories occur in the second half of this recording.

In Part 2 of our time with Derek Moses, him and Coach Helsabeck talk about the infamous fight with Rockingham, steroid usage, a teammate leaving their vehicle running for an entire weekend and much more!

Coach Helsabeck brings on the legendary Stanly Eagle catcher, Derek Moses to the podcast in this Part 1 of many. Moses has the all time single season batting average record at Stanly along with being #2 on the all time home run list. A special guy that embodies the toughness to be an Eagle.

On this episode, Coach Helsabeck gets you primed for the future guests as he runs through all of the Stanly Eagles single season baseball records!

On Episode 3 of ‘Forgotten Eagles’, former assistant coach Jon Helsabeck talks about Don Montgomery Park, coaching third base, Pro Day and more!

Former Asst Coach Jon Helsabeck tells part of his story of playing at SCC and more during this episode.

Jon Helsabeck gives you a little history before reeling off some future guests names! Welcome back Eagle Nation!