‘Bat Town USA’ Anyone?
by Butch Miller
BEECH CREEK – Lock Haven, and the surrounding area, has been affectionately referred to as ‘Mat Town USA’ for quite some time crediting it’s long and storied tradition of collegiate and high school wrestling. Deservedly so. It is a moniker that has been earned the Old Fashioned way … hard work with plenty of sweat equity.
Equally earned is the reputation our youth, high school and American Legion baseball teams have acquired in recent years. Clinton County has always had a fine baseball tradition, though now that tradition is steadily being exported around the state and across the country.
The success of the 2011 Keystone appearance in the Little League World Series has let loose an avalanche of player participation, quality coaching and tremendous sportsmanship that has returned huge dividends in the manner of wins and pennants collected at the youth level.
With that foundation, many former Keystoners advance to the high school level further honing their skills as Central Mountain Wildcats who have taken a couple of Heartland Conference championships, District 6 championship appearances and all-state honors. Many of those players also extend their season playing for the Beech Creek Crickets and Jr. Crickets American Legion teams who are perennial contenders for conference, district, regional and state championship play.
More than a few of these former Little Leaguers have turned heads of college scouts which opens up even more opportunities to advance their athletic careers and more importantly they can take advantage of some very valuable academic opportunities.
2016 is no exception to the trend of youth baseball success with four different age divisions going strong taking District 12 titles. So far three of four have earned Section 3 titles with another only one win away from that goal … (which they may have already earned by the time you read this) Unofficially, my calculation is that the Keystone league is a combined 22-2 in post season play with the only two losses thus far coming at the Intermediate state tourney and the East Regional.
The Keystone Intermediate (50/70) claimed their state title on Monday July 18 after a tough ‘if’ game. The Major All-Stars open play in their state tournament Sunday with the 8-10 taking the field for states on Tuesday. The 9-11 All-Stars are chomping at the bit to make their state tournament.
Don’t be fooled, when other leagues see Keystone is in their bracket, they take notice … they know they must prepare for a hard-fought contest with a well-coached and fundamentally sound team. Keystone doesn’t always win every game they play, though, they really do believe they can win no matter the circumstances. That speaks volumes of how our community supports this hard work by our young people. These kids don’t feel entitled to a win, they believe they are capable of earning every win they strive for.
Keystone players, coaches, parents and fans also have a well respected reputation for sportsmanship and a considerate attitude for other teams. By all means, we all must strive to continue that effort. This is exactly what Carl Stotz had in mind when he set the system in motion 77 years ago. Win with class, lose with dignity and treat others with respect.
Which brings me to the point I offer for your consideration … how about we adopt the phrase ‘Bat Town USA’ just for the summer? Then we can go back to the wrestling theme after the season is over … after all, a good number of our baseball players are no stranger to wearing singlets or spending some quality time on Resilite.
