Class of 2023 inducted into Clinton/Centre County Baseball Hall of Fame
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA-The Clinton/Centre County Baseball Hall of Fame held its induction for the class of 2023 Sunday at Haywood’s on the Green. The organization founded by the late Justin Kline played a huge part in the development and growth of baseball in Beech Creek and Clinton County. Tyler Barth served as the MC of the event with the banquet hall full of inductees and their families. He thanked the committee members in attendance for their efforts throughout the year.
First inducted into the class were the Legendary members who were ball players or contributors who played an important role in baseball, inductees no longer with us. This year’s inductees were John McKivison, Irv Gray, Red Packer, Don Fisher, and Carrie Piney. Sally Kline, mother of the late Justin Kline, spoke about the role Carrie Piney had on Little League, especially the Junior League. She was called the “Lady Behind the Scene” by Express writer George J. Zellem when Clinton Juniors took the Express Tournament Championship in 1953.
The group then announced its 2022 Most Valuable Player award. This year the MVP award was presented to Hayes Donley. The award is given to an individual player who shows outstanding commitment to the game on and off the field. Donley was a member of last year’s 2022 All Star District 12 and Section 3 champions and state qualifying team and participated this season on the Keystone Juniors team.
Next inducted was the 2022 Keystone Juniors Team who had remarkable success last summer. They placed second in the United States and third in the World. The team was managed by Steve Shade, Assistant Coaches Bruce Walker and Seth Cooper. Members of the team were Dane Hanna, Darius Shade, Watt Probst, Aiden Jones, Austin Frank, Cole Cooper, Jared Bischof, Josh Ludlow, Austin Andrus, Blake Walker, Hunter Donley, Hayes Miller and Nolan Cross.
Individuals inducted into the class this year were Jeff Knarr, Danny Walker, Rod Kline and Paul Haas. Each provided stories about their memories on the field. Rod Kline received the Voluntary Contributor Award. Sally Kline, wife of Rod, spoke for a few minutes about his dedication and support over the years to help develop Little League in the area. He helped create the Beech Creek ball fields, has spent countless hours lending a hand making sure the fields are ready for all age divisions to be able to play and helped his son Justin Kline create the Clinton/Centre County Hall of Fame in Beech Creek.
Barth then thanked everyone for coming. He noted to stay tuned for details on an upcoming bingo fundraiser for the Hall of Fame and that anyone wanting to donate to the organization may do so by reaching out to Rod Kline.
