Jamie Stallings, left, stands next to Zach Hill during the 2015 Arendell Parrott Academy baseball season. Stallings was an assistant coach when the team won the state title that year and he will work as an associate scout for Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies this season. Submitted photo

A small town guy now has a big league opportunity.

Jamie Stallings announced this week he will be an associate scout for the Philadelphia Phillies. Stallings, who graduated from North Lenoir, has been an assistant baseball coach, umpire and scout for more than 20 years, starting at Pitt Community College in 1997 as a player-assistant coach hybrid.

Stallings started Carolina Sports Marketing in 2016 to help high schoolers across the state get a better shot at being recruited after working with Gametown Recruiting.

“I’m just excited for this opportunity,” Stallings said. “I have a lot of gratitude and appreciation for this — I’ve been working independently for a long time and there are a number of people who have helped me along the way, none more than George Whitfield. It’s very humbling and I have to thank God for this. There’s no telling what will happen in the future, but I’m excited to be an associate scout and work my way up.

“Without the players, the player’s parents and everyone involved in the recreation department this wouldn’t be possible.

Stallings won a state championship in 2015 with Arendell Parrott Academy as an assistant coach under Whitfield, who had high praise for him.

“He’s a fine young man and very dedicated to the game of baseball,” Whitfield said. “He’s umpired, helped me at Parrott and is very much trying to help kids in the area. I think he’ll do a fine job.”

Stallings said he’s ready for the opportunity.

“I just hope I can live up to expectations with the Phillies,” Stallings said. “I’ve always been the type of guy to hit the ground running, and I’m looking to find great talent in North Carolina and Virginia.”