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Volume III, Issue 1January 24, 2012
In This Issue
Nate Fretz Awarded
Advisory Committee
21 Scholarships Available
Berkshire Family Mourns
Winter Clinics
2012 Nominations
2012 Tryout Dates
Berkshire Alumni Awarded
More Clinic Photos
Nate Fretz receives the inaugural Loretta Magary Community Service Award. 
One of the things that we've always stressed as an organization is the importance of giving back to the community.  Whether it's through sponsoring tournaments that raise money for breast cancer by having our young players wear pink shirts and swing pink bats, conducting our World Equipment Outreach Program, feeding the needy, making thousands of dollars in improvements to our local parks or any of the other activities that we participate in, we feel strongly that those activities are an integral part of our mission statement as well as our very existence as human beings.
Last year, our board voted to give out an award to one of our players who best exemplifies the spirit of community service.  Just as Major League Baseball recognizes a player every year with the Roberto Clemente Award, we felt that recognizing a Berkshire player for their community involvement was even more important than handing out our MVP and Outstanding Pitcher Awards.
With that being said, the organization decided to start awarding the Loretta Magary Memorial Community Service Award starting in the 2011 season.  the award is named after Loretta Magary, a woman who dedicated her life to helping others and the mother of Dan Clouser, President of Berkshire Baseball.
At our banquet in November, Nate Fretz (16-U Blue Sox) became the first recipient of the award, we had the opportunity to ask Nate what receiving the award meant to him and would like to share that conversation here.
BB: Why do think that it is important to "give back" to the community?
NF: I think it is important to "give back" to the community because many people "gave" me their time and influenced my life in a positive fashion. With this being said, I deem it necessary to in turn give to others. By giving back, I hope to teach others to give back similar to a chain reaction. Other people see your actions of you giving back, so this gives a person the idea of that "Maybe I should help also?"

 

BB: What are some your proudest accomplishments thus far regarding community service?
NF: My proudest accomplishments regarding community service include volunteering with Pottsgrove Little League and the Pottstown vs. Pottsgrove Pink-Out for Breast Cancer Awareness football game.
 

The Pink-Out game was an amazing event. Instead of the cross-town rivalry being fierce as usual, the dividing barrier was broken down and the entire community came together as one. This goes to show you, we are all still human, no matter where we live. During the weeks leading up to the game, the Pottsgrove National Honor Society, as well as other clubs, sold apparel, pink hair extensions, wristbands, food, and shirts. All of the money raised went to a local hospital for use by breast cancer patients. We ended up raising over $1,000. When the check was delivered to the hospital, they were extremely grateful and said it would make a huge difference in people's lives.   I hope to continue this for the years to come.

 

Helping out with Little League Baseball, or any sports program is wonderful thing. You not only get to share the passion of the game with one another, but teach life lessons at the same time. A price cannot be put on the personal connection you make with somebody, or the impact you have made on their life. It was such a joy seeing the smiling faces on the young ballplayers. I hope to have had an impact on their life, for they have certainly impacted mine. Impacting a person's life is not only done through sports. It can be done through music, education, or anything that you can share a passion with someone. In my opinion, if you have impacted one person's life in a positive nature, you can consider yourself a success. But you should not be content with only impacting a single person, try to impact as many people as possible.

 

BB: Who has been the most influential thus far in your life in teaching you the importance of community service?
NF: My parents have been the most influential in teaching me the importance of community service. When I was younger, I remember my Dad coming home after working hard all day, then going to do field maintenance without complaining at all. At the same time, my mom was the treasurer of the Little League as well as in charge of numerous other things inside the league. Although my parents were helping because of my interest in baseball, they were also aware of the hundreds of other players and parents they were helping at the same time. Without the hard work of my parents, many things would not have been accomplished in a timely manner, or finished at all. It was at this moment that I realized positive change will not occur without any "do-ers". These are the people that make the globe spin. These are the people that realize other people's fate, as well as their own, are in their own hands. It is up to you whether you will embrace it or just wipe it off of your hands. It was though my parent's actions that I learned how important community service is. 

 

BB: What does it mean to you to be recognized as the first ever recipient of the Loretta Magary Community Service Award?
NF: As the first-ever recipient of the Loretta Magary Community Service Award, it is extremely humbling. The feeling and emotions I have as a result of receiving the award cannot be put into words. This also sets a precedent for the many award recipients to come. Although I have not met the woman, I have heard of the many great things Loretta Magary has done. In my opinion, she serves as the ultimate precedent. For me to be compared to such as amazing person is an amazing honor. It also reminds me that my community service is not over, and that I will continue for the lifetime to come.

 

This also brings up another great point. One of my teachers said to our class "Don't do things because there is a token/reward attached to it, do things because you care about them or you want to do them." I do not see this award as a prize, and I hope nobody else does either. I see it more as a sign of appreciation. I was not helping out so I could get a plaque; I was helping out because I cared about the organization and the people of the community. If you help out because you care, some sign of appreciation is sure to find your way. Most likely you will not be able to even see it. There is an entire idea behind the award; it is way more than shiny things showing what you accomplished. With this note, I am grateful for receiving the award and I would like to thank everyone who has made an impact on my life.

Nate Fretz pictured with Berkshire Baseball President, Dan Clouser after receiving the Loretta Magary Memorial Community Service Award

 

Mintz & Valent Named to Advisory Board 
Berkshire Baseball is excited to announce that they have added Del Mintz and Eric Valent to the Berkshire Baseball Player Development Advisory Board.
Both Valent and Mintz are members of the Philadelphia Phillies Scouting Department.
Valent, is the Phillies Northeast Supervisor of scouting and also played five years in the Big Leagues and one year in Japan.
Mintz has been a scout for the Phillies since 1995 and has also coached at the collegiate level as well as in the the Berkshire organization in 1993 and 1994.
Their role on the board is to offer assistance mainly in the 16-U through 18-U age groups as to what the organization should be doing to better educate and prepare our players for the college baseball experience and the college recruiting process.  Additionally, they'll be able to offer input on what scouts are looking for regarding those age groups and how we can better market those teams.
"I've known Eric for about three years now, he has spoken at our banquet, come out to our workouts and has presented at our coaches clinic and Del's been one of my best friends for over 20 years and has always been an advocate of our program, it's great for the organization to have both of them involved." Said Dan Clouser, President and General Manager of Berkshire Baseball.  "They both believe in what we're trying to accomplish as an organization and that speaks volumes."
"I've always been a supporter of the Berkshire program. Dan's (Clouser) been an associate scout for us (Phillies) since 2001, I've known him for over 20 years, I know what he and Berkshire Baseball stand for.  I'm happy to endorse and offer input to a program with such high integrity and values." Added Del Mintz.
21 Scholarships Available for Berks 

Berks County Community Foundation is seeking applicants for 21 scholarship funds.

 

To be considered, students must submit all required information to Berks County Community Foundation by the application deadline. Complete details about these and other scholarship funds are available at www.bccf.org.

Berkshire Family Mourns
The loss of two players fathers this week hits the organization hard
Thoughts and prayers go out to two Berkshire Families during their difficult time this past week.  Jonathon Gottschall, member of the 16-U Blue Sox and Brandon Campbell, member of the 14-U Sea Dogs both lost their fathers last week.
The Berkshire organization would like to thank two parents, Hope Distasio and Ed Chroscinski for volunteering to write small memoirs on these two fine men who will both be sorely missed by their friends and families, but their memories will last forever.
Kerry Gottschall
By Hope Distasio
In 2010, I had the pleasure of meeting Kerry Gottschall and his wife Jo Ann.  Their son Jonathan was placed on Nick's 14-U Blue Sox team.  We were lucky; our team developed an easy friendship.  Mr. Gottschall had been diagnosed with colon cancer in the early fall of that year, and had just begun his treatments.  His was not an easy battle -- he travelled often to both Reading and later to Philadelphia for chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.  I learned he was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.   I knew he was a firefighter for the Kenhorst Fire Company for the last 40 years, Deputy Fire Chief for the last two.  He was a husband, a self-employed locksmith, a father of two, a friend to many, and an inspiration to me.
What I never knew was a "healthy" Kerry.  I only knew the man who fought the disease.  I knew the Kerry who carried a pager everywhere so that he always knew if he were needed somewhere to serve others.  I knew the Kerry who was mad because he had a portacath implanted - to make receiving treatments easier and less painful - and couldn't wear his oxygen bag on his shoulder the right way when he responded to fire calls.  I knew the Kerry who sat through all sorts of weather to watch his son play ball, even if it was the day after or even the day of a treatment.   I knew the Kerry who called his wife with updates on Jon's games if she couldn't be there -- and believe me, if you sat anywhere near Kerry, you could hear those calls, too!  I knew the Kerry who would sit with me and discuss "being sick," how sick wasn't going to get the best of us, how we would get it -- "You know what I mean?"  I knew the Kerry who loved to tease and joke and laugh, no matter how lousy he felt.  I knew the Kerry who always had a Slim Jim in his pocket and a concession stand hot dog in his hand.  I knew the Kerry who loved his wife and was proud of his son and never, ever seemed to miss a moment of anything, all the while rushing from one thing to the next.
 I knew the Kerry who lost his battle with cancer on January 14th 2012.
He sat next to me at "Sports At The Beach" this year, even though he had just finished yet another round of treatments.  He shined so brightly the night in 2010 when Jon received the Outstanding Pitcher award for our 14 U Blue Sox.  He assured me during one of our many chats that no matter what, he wanted his family to persevere, and his son to pursue his dreams on and off the field.  He will be greatly missed by his Berkshire Baseball family.
"You know what I mean?"
I do, Kerry.  I do.
Please honor Kerry's memory by making contributions in lieu of flowers to the Kenhorst Fire Company, 305 S. Kenhorst Blvd., Kenhorst, PA 19607
John Campbell
By Ed Chroscinski
John Campbell, father of 14-U Sea Dogs Brandon Campbell, died at his home very unexpectedly on Sunday evening, January 15, 2012. John also leaves behind Brandon's older brother, Devon, older sister, Cailin and a younger brother, Adam. All three boys are very much involved with baseball and John was a fixture at just about all of their games. John worked hard and re-arranged his schedule frequently in order to attend the games, even if only for part of them.

John was easy to spot at any of Brandon's games for he rarely ever sat. Always standing and always talking with everyone about the game at hand as well as the game of baseball in general. He was eager to learn as much about the game and to prepare Brandon and his brothers to play to their best of their abilities. John was as friendly, kind & good-natured a man as you could ever hope to meet. While he might shrug a shoulder or roll his eyes at certain things occurring on the field of play, you would never hear John utter a negative comment about anything. He was a warm, gracious & loving father and his children meant everything to him. He sacrificed much in order to watch his boys play baseball. Standing & watching his boys play baseball was one of John's greatest pleasures in life and from which he derived a rich amount of joy.  John will be missed by many and especially those in and around the game of baseball.

Winter Clinics
Over 130 players participate in this years Winter Clinic Programs
Over 130 players have been participating in various winter clinics sponsored by Berkshire Baseball so far this year.  Sessions are conducted at the Kutztown University
Players work on proper throwing technique.
(Photo courtesy of Hope Distasio)
Fieldhouse as well as at Body Zone Sports & Wellness Complex.
Players from the ages of 6 to 17 have been working hard on the fundementals of the game being taught by the Berkshire Baseball coaching staff.
A few spots still remain for our final four week specialty clinic sessions of the winter, so please be sure to register today.
 
 
Young Hitters listen intently.
(Photo by Hope Distasio)
2012 Nominations
Nominations for the Class of 2012 Berkshire Baseball Hall of Fame as well the Loretta Magary Memorial Community Service Award are now being accepted.
Nominations are now being accepted for the Berkshire Baseball Baseball Hall of Fame, class of 2012.
Anyone who has worn a Berkshire Baseball uniform is eligible to be nominated and anyone is allowed to submit a nomination for someone else.  However, as with any Hall of Fame, there is a certain minimum criteria that must be met for an individual to be considered for induction to the Berkshire Baseball Hall of Fame.

 

Players, coaches and administrators are eligible for nomination.  Players, coaches and administrators must have been involved with the organization a minimum of three years.  Players who are still playing for one of the Berkshire Baseball youth programs (10-U, 12-U, 13-U, 14-U 16-U and 18-U) are not eligible for nomination.   Players who are still currently playing for either of the Optimist or 28-Over teams are eligible for nomination even if they are still currently playing.  Someone other than the individual being nominated must submit a written nomination in order for an individual to be considered for induction.  The nomination letter can include statistics and on field accomplishments, but most importantly it should outline how the nominee has had a positive impact on the Berkshire Baseball organization both on and off the field.  Nomination letters must be signed and contact information of the individual submitting the nomination must be provided so that the Hall of Fame Committee can verify the nomination.  Anonymous nomination letters will not be considered.

 

Nomination letters for the class of 2012 should be received by the Hall of Fame Induction Committee no later than August 1, 2012 in order to be considered for induction.

Nomination letters should be sent to the following address:

Berkshire Baseball
Hall of Fame Induction Committee
Kevin A. Kantner, Chairman
P.O. Box 170
Womelsdorf, PA 19567
 

In addition, nominations are also being accepted for the 2012 Loretta Magary Community Service Award.  Nominations should be submitted in writing with a brief outline of community service activities that the nominee has been or is currently involved with.  Any player that is currently involved in the Berkshire organization is eligible to be nominated.
 
Nomination letters for the 2012 award should be received by the Selection Committee no later than October 1, 2012 in order to be considered.

Nomination letters should be sent to the following address:

Berkshire Baseball
Loretta Magary Community Service Committee
Dan Clouser, Chairman
P.O. Box 170
Womelsdorf, PA 19567
2012 Tryout Dates Announced
Several Tryouts will be conducted during the year.

 

2012 Tryout Dates:

 

Sunday, March 11, 2012 @ 8:00 AM

Kutztown University Field House 

 

Sunday, April 1, 2012 @ 9:00 AM

Robesonia Playground 

 

Sunday, May 20, 2012  @ 9:00 AM

Berks County YRF 

 

Sunday, June 24, 2012 @ 9:00 AM

Kutztown University - North Campus Field 

 

* Registration begins an hour before each tryout.  Tryouts are conducted as a pro style tryout, with players being evaluated on speed, fielding, arm strength and hitting.

Two Berkshire Alumni Awarded by Hot Stovers
Luis De'Oleo and Kyle Hartman Honored
Two Berkshire Alumni were honored at the Hot Stovers Banquet on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Riveredge in Reading.
Kyle Hartman (Berkshire Red Sox Showcase Team, class of 2009) and Luis De'Oleo (Berkshire Red Sox Showcase Team, class of 2010 & Berkshire Red Sox 19-U team, 2011).
Hartman of Shillington received the Harry "Toskie" Reichlein Award as Berks Legion MVP.
De'Oleo of Reading received the Paul "Cooter" Jones Award as Reading High MVP.
(Photo Courtesy of Hope Distasio)
 
 
(Photo Courtesy of Hope Distasio)
 
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