Published: August 09, 2009 12:51 am      

Winner of contest found inspiration in late AAABA star

Some writers celebrated the big-league stars who have made a stop in Johnstown for the AAABA Tournament.

Others extolled the exploits of local baseball stars.

Some told stories of a personal nature – an uncle or friend who left an impression from their days on the diamond.

All of the entries in The Tribune-Democrat’s 2009 point to the great legacy of the AAABA in this region, and the importance of the games and the personalities for players and fans alike.

Essay writers were asked to answer this question: “If you could have a signed baseball card of any AAABA Tournament player, past or present, who would it be and why?”

In the end, our judges selected an essay from Rex Morgart Sr. of Johnstown as the best of the many we received.

An essay from Terry Hubbard of Johnstown was a close second, and an essay from 11-year-old Nick Arcuri of Johnstown garnered third place.

All three winners will receive passes to Monday night’s official tournament opener at Point Stadium along with passes to tournament games all week at the Point and other locations.

In addition, Morgart will have the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Tuesday night’s game at the Point.

Thanks to our many essay contest entries.

Here is Morgart’s winning essay, and excerpts from some of the others we received:

First-place winner

My first thought for a signed baseball card was Roger Bowman, the man who set all the pitching records in the early years of the tournament. My next thought was old-school Hall of Famer Al Kaline?

No, maybe a local star like Ernie Oravetz? Or Cy Young winner Pete Vuckovich? Or perhaps someone from the great Hahn’s Packing team?

Then my choice became clear.

I remembered several years back, a tall 16-year-old Baltimore player warming up at the UPJ field. A Tribune article the day before boasted of his 90-plus mph fastball and proclaimed him a “can’t miss” Major Leaguer.

I approached the young man for an autograph, thinking he may be egotistical. Instead, he almost seemed embarrassed at my request.

That young man was Nick Adenhart, the (Los Angeles) Angels pitcher who recently lost his life in a tragic automobile accident.

As I watched his manager’s tearful comments about how fine a young man Nick was and how much the team would miss him, I was glad I had the opportunity to shake his hand and wish him success. I think Nick would still be a little embarrassed that his card was chosen over such great players.

Rex Morgart Sr.

Johnstown

Excerpts from

other essays:

“In 1973, a few years before I played in the league, I remember watching a pitcher from Milford patting the mound, talking to the ball, running to and from the dugout. ... If I could have the autograph of anyone, it would be Mark ‘The Bird’ Fidrych. He gave a 15-year-old boy a priceless memory.”

n Terry Hubbard,

Johnstown



“The person I would choose would be Nick Barbera, the second baseman for Delweld. ... Nick works at the E.R.A. baseball school as a batting instructor and he is one of my favorite instructors. What he taught me ... really made me a better hitter. I also learn from Nick just by watching him, because he plays baseball the right way.”

n Jared M. Arcuri, 11,

Johnstown



“Joey Hage, an exceptional outfielder who played for Schen-ectady in 1971 and 1972 ... Daughter Nicole turned professional golfer in 2005 and is a member of the LPGA Tour, playing in five U.S. Opens. Son Joey is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals MLB team. These children obviously learned from their dad that good sportsmanship is an attitude that includes respect and courtesy to teammates and opponents alike.”

n Carol Sossong,

Ebensburg



“My uncle, Michael Gresik, played for Ramada Inn in 1983 and he was voted the most valuable player. ... Michael Gresik also pitched and played first base, just like I do.”

n Michael Young,

Johnstown



“Joe Torre is a New York icon and one of baseball’s most popular personalities. He was most successful for his career as manager of the New York Yankees. He led them to (the) World Series (championship) in 1996.”

n Erin Petrick,

Johnstown



“Garry (Wurm) has been involved with the youth of his alma mater, Blacklick Valley High School, for many years. He has given much of his time and shared his talent with these young players, coaching baseball, basketball and football. ... You wouldn’t want to remind Garry that he is 40-something and that retiring the ball and glove and setting aside the bat might be something to consider. He recently won the Home Run Derby at the Altoona Curve Ball Park.”

n Karen Holby,

Nanty Glo



“Lenny Beiter ... was a great shortstop who played in the early 1980s. And, chance would have it, he dated my older sister at the time. ... During AAABA games, I was allowed to go with her. My sister and I would walk from Moxham to the Point to watch him play. When he saw us he would say, ‘Hello.’ Boy, I was so excited to actually know someone on the team.”

n Judith Deanette Barber, Johnstown



“I would choose Al Kaline, who played in the tournament in the early 1950s. Al was the only AAABA player to go directly from the AAABA Tournament to Major League Baseball, playing right field for the Detroit Tigers for his entire baseball career. ... And in my opinion, was the perfect baseball player.”

n Ed Mesnak,

Johnstown



“One special player in 2003 influenced many and left a legacy in Johnstown. If I could have any AAABA players autograph I would have wanted the late Nick Adenhart’s. ... Adenhart worked his way to the majors with that same enthusiasm as he and every player has walking into the Point Stadium on opening night of the tournament. .. Unfortunately we were only able to see a little of what he had because his life was cut tragically short.”

n Edward Sheets,

Johnstown