Renovo boy, 6, throws first pitch for Crosscutters
Shoe Bank receives $500 donation before the game
WILLIAMSPORT — Greyson Cowfer of Renovo, age 6, was the star of the Crosscutters’ pregame activities Tuesday, June 15. He threw the first pitch at Muncy Bank Field, on behalf of the Lock Haven Area Shoe Bank!
It was one of the Crosscutters’ “Charitable Tuesdays”, and it was a real home run for the Shoe Bank. The agency that gives shoes to kids received a $500 donation from PA Skill by Miele Manufacturing that evening.
Ed Pinkerton represented Miele Manufacturing and handed a giant check to Diahann Claghorn and Wendy Doherty, two of the Shoe Bank’s co-directors. They will use the generous contribution to give free new shoes, and winter boots, to kids who need them.
“Pennsylvania Skills by Miele Manufacturing is a well-known community supporter, and we are grateful that their generosity extends to the Clinton County area,” Claghorn said.
The Crosscutters invited the Shoe Bank to set up an information table in the courtyard, and Gabe Sinicropi, the team’s vice president of marketing and public relations, interviewed a Shoe Bank representative on the field before the game.
Then all eyes were on Greyson.
Shoe Bank supporters asked Greyson to represent them for that all-important first pitch because he is known as a serious baseball player. His mother, Hunter Cowfer, said he pressed her into service to help him practice every day for a week beforehand.
Greyson brought his own glove and wore his Renovo Little League uniform. He arrived at the stadium with his entourage of mother, father Joshua Cowfer, and grandfather Roy Cowfer. Just before the pitch, he stood at the Crosscutters dugout and talked with some of the players. Cool as a cucumber in his shades, he walked to the mound, listened to his introduction, and aced one off, straight to big blue mascot Boomer.
Then his pap bought him a Crosscutters ball hat to commemorate the occasion, one the Cowfers won’t soon forget.
Greyson must have been a good luck charm — the Crosscutters won 5-2 over the Frederick Keys from Frederick, Md. Hundreds of people watched the game.
“The Crosscutters were a great bunch to work with,” Claghorn said. “They were warm and welcoming to Greyson and all of us.”
The Shoe Bank will be open Saturdays, Aug. 14 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., inside Covenant United Methodist Church. A third Saturday will be added, on Aug. 28, if needed. Free new shoes are available to kids and teens up to age 18 who live in Clinton County or the Liberty-Curtin Elementary area, and who have a PA Access card or a CHIP or similar insurance card.
Families can make an appointment by calling or texting 814-571-5324 (Monday-Friday 7-9 p.m.)
