By age 14, Norman Adams, a 1977 Vinemont High School graduate, knew that baseball would be the game to propel him to the next level.

During his little league career Adams only lost three games. While playing in the 13-14 year old division, Adams pitched back-to-back games and struck out 20 batters on the day.

“I think that was the defining moment,” Adams said. “Striking out 20 batters was an incredible feeling.”

During Adams’ freshman year at Vinemont, he pitched and won the County Championship, signaling the start of many thrilling performances to come.

“We won it my freshman and junior year,” Adams said. “It was my first big game experience and I did pretty well.”

Adams made the All-County baseball team all four years and the All-Area team his senior season.

Adams got his start in sports following in the footsteps of his older brother Alan Adams.

“My older brother played everything and I followed suit,” Adams said. “It was either play sports or work. My brother was four years older than me and I decided to follow in his steps.”

Adams also played basketball and football for Vinemont, earning All-County honors every year in both sports except for his sophomore football season, when he injured his shoulder.

After high school, Adams pitched in the East-West All-star game in Decatur, where he was discovered by Fred Frickie and was offered a scholarship to pitch for Calhoun Junior College.

During his time at Calhoun, Adams set and still holds the record for the lowest earned run average at .91, while earning All-Conference Honors.

“It was a good luck and I had a great defense behind me,” Adams said. “We played Columbia State, who was third in the nation, and they got me for a few runs that hurt my ERA.”

After Calhoun, Adams was signed by Cincinnati Reds major league scout Larry Doughty. Adams played his first season in Oregon, where he strained his rotator cuff after a line drive hit him in the shoulder. Adams would never fully recover and was released during his third season.

Even though his career ended, Adams said he believed he had what it took to make it to the major leagues.

“I think I would have had a good chance,” Adams said. “You never know. I had as good as stuff as anyone. My fastball was 94 mph”

Adams returned to the area and was an assistant coach, joining head coach Matt Scott, leading the Cullman softball team to back-to-back state championships in 1997 and 1998.

“It was a different feeling to watch others compete rather than compete my self,” Adams said. “In a way, it was more rewarding.”

Adams’ main motivator for his career was pee-wee coach Walt Gringrich, who taught Adams how to win.

“He showed me the things you had to do to become a winner and I pushed myself to do that,” Adams said. “I think that is why Cullman is finding success in all sports right now. They go the extra effort to maximize the potential of their athletes.”