Down River 8/26

By John Lipez

Gone Too Soon:
Clinton County lost one of its really good citizens with the recent passing of Justin Kline. The Beech Creek man was all about being a positive influence in the community, whether through his work with amateur baseball at a variety of levels, or through community service as mayor of his home town.

Most know Justin’s story, his involvement in Little League baseball for many, many years, including a run as assistant coach with the Keystone Little League team of a decade ago. That 2011 squad set a standard of excellence that likely will stand the test of time for its accomplishments, including a third place US finish in the Little League World Series; it is sadly ironic that Justin would pass away just as this year’s Little League World Series was getting underway, almost 10 years to the day from Keystone’s magnificent achievement.

Justin knew his baseball (a several generation passion of the entire family) and imparted his knowledge through his coaching. And he did it in the most positive way, always good natured in whatever he was involved in, from not just baseball but to hometown politics too.

He never let his crippling illness deter him from his efforts over the last five years of his life. His most fitting tribute is one of his own creation, the Clinton & Centre County Baseball Hall of Fame, just a couple short fly balls from his Beech Creek home. Justin would not rest until his hall of fame dream became a reality. And what a fitting location, just beyond the centerfield fence at Blaine W. Kunes Memorial Park, something of an epicenter for all the great ball players to hail from Beech Creek and nearby Blanchard (where both his dad and grandfather toiled for the Blanchard Bees many years ago).

Certainly it was on the field of play where Justin made his greatest impact. Kooch Chu, as Justin another baseball lifer, had the opportunity to observe him from Kooch’s spot behind home plate as one of the area’s outstanding baseball umpires for decades and decades. He shared his thoughts on Justin Kline on social media and said it was okay to reprint them, unabridged, in Down River:

Dear Justin,
I sincerely am sorry for missing your viewing and service today! With Covid cases rising and my current health condition it seemed staying home was the safest choice! I would like to pay my respects at the cemetery with Rod and Sally’s blessing! I have met many coaches in my career but you are #1! The teams you coached were amazing and strong on fundamentals!

The 2011 LLWS team and ESPN interviewing you by saying he’s the coach,mayor and league pres etc was fantastic! The Beech Creek team (JC FORESTREE) you coached with Crystal N Jim Corl and the 65? Game winning streak was amazing along with all the legion teams! I remember you telling me you had 2 dreams, to hold the state Intermediate tourney at Beech Creek and to create a Hall of Fame to honor past players! Your courage was a true inspiration to everyone in the community! The way your parents took care and were there every step of the way was wonderful! I’ve known you for many years even umpiring your little league games! In closing Justin I love you and will miss you especially at the ballfield! I hope you find a team to coach in heaven and some day maybe I can Umpire your teams game!

Love ya,
Kooch#22

The sad news is Justin left us too soon; the good news is his legacy will live on forever at his Clinton & Centre County Baseball Hall of Fame…just beyond the Kunes Memorial Park centerfield fence, just in front of the old railroad right-of-way. Justin could not have picked a better spot.

******
And Another Baseball Item:
Speaking of Little League, did anyone catch the Sunday night Major League Baseball Classic played at Williamsport’s venerable Bowman Field?

And if so, did you know about the Renovo roots for Los Angeles Angels first baseman Jared Walsh? According to former western Clinton County guy Rick Miller, Walsh’s father is Harry Walsh, a Renovo native and a Renovo Railroader from the Class of 1958.

A-Rod was in Bowman Field covering the game on ESPN and when he was not babbling, it was pointed out that first baseman Walsh grew up in the Milwaukee area and most recently was in Georgia.

Anyone out there know anything more about the older Walsh and where he went and what he did upon leaving western Clinton County. And Rick Miller, too. Wasn’t he a sharp-shooting Railroad basketball player who did well at Lock Haven University? An update on him would be appreciated also.